The Federation of Mountain Clubs
of British Columbia
August 2020 NEWSLETTER
| FMCBC in the news: Ongoing advocacy work to protect and enhance access to recreation in BC's backcountry Our Executive Director, Barry Janyk, was featured in two news articles this past month. 1. The FMCBC submits a statement opposed to proposed all-season resort project: "This level of development will negatively impact non-motorized backcountry winter recreation and summer front country recreation, and devastate the pristine wilderness for which Garibaldi Provincial Park is known." Read article from the Squamish Chief (August 19, 2020). 2. Janyk speaks about the new day-use pass system, and mentions how the BC park system has been underfunded. The Federation would like to see BC Parks collaborate with outdoor groups, such as the FMCBC, to find solutions to make the backcountry more accessible. See the article from CTV News (August 18, 2020).
Donate to support our continued advocacy work. | Support increased funding for BC parks and recreation sites,
Send budget recommendation #52 to your local MLA The BC Government's Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services released their Budget 2021 Consultation Report this month. Help support increased funding and staff for BC parks and recreation sites by sending budget recommendation #52 under 'Parks & Recreation' in the report to your local MLA.
Find your local MLA's contact info and send a message. Parks and Recreation
Recommendation #52:
Increase operational funding for BC Parks and Recreation Sites and Trails BC to support staffing, monitoring and enforcement, maintenance, land management planning, oversight of public health and safety, and recreational infrastructure and services, including promoting and supporting volunteer efforts. The BC Government, through the Select Standing Committee, sought views of British Columbians on their priorities for the next provincial 2021-2022 budget in June. The FMCBC previously requested increased funding and staff for BC Parks and Recreation Sites and Trails BC by sending a budget submission report to the Province of BC.
Read the submission. | AGM Update: Mark your calendar for the FMCBC Virtual AGM on Saturday, September 26 Due to public health orders that limit group meeting sizes and require physical distancing practices, the FMCBC will be hosting our AGM virtually via Zoom on Saturday, September 26, starting at 10:00am. Club member representatives (or an alternate designated representative), associate members, and individual members are invited to attend. The agenda and corresponding reports will be sent with the Zoom meeting invite. RSVP by Friday, September 18. Register now. | Call for nominations for FMCBC Board of Directors: Help advance non-motorized recreation across BC Do you or someone you know have skills to help advance non-motorized recreation across BC? Are you passionate about enhancing outdoor recreation at backcountry parks and trails in BC? Submit your nomination. (Check 'join the Board of Directors' in the volunteer form). You can also nominate someone who you believe would be a great fit on the FMCBC Board of Directors by emailing fmcbc@mountainclubs.org. We're seeking Board members to fill the following positions: - President
- Vice-President
- Treasurer
- Secretary
- Director
Read more about Board member roles and FMCBC Committees.
The deadline to submit your nomination is Tuesday, September 8.
| CPAWS-BC recommends to increase BC Parks budget by $60 million, Parks and protected areas key drivers for economic growth and recovery The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – British Columbia (CPAWS-BC) is applauding the BC Budget Committee’s recommendation report, which advocates for an increase to the BC Parks budget. Last Friday, the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services, the Budget Committee, released their Report on the Budget 2021 Consultation.
See the Committee's recommendations and comments from CPAWS-BC. | Alpine environments threatened by increased number of backcountry campfires The BC Wildfire Service reports that 85% of BC's wildfires this year have been linked to human activity. The ACC-Vancouver Island has noticed an increase in campfires in BC's backcountry, even in provincial parks where they are not permitted. If you're camping or hiking in the backcountry, pack in a lightweight stove or bring a no-cook meal. Alpine ecosystems have a very short growing season, and when hikers remove trees for a campfire, the impact is much higher than it would be at a lower altitude.
View more info how campfires can impact alpine environments.
| Submit feedback on Columbia Basin Trust draft Strategic Plan The Columbia Basin Trust is engaging with a variety of stakeholders in the Basin to develop a short-term strategic plan to guide our activities over the next 18 to 24 months.
Read the draft plan.
Submit feedback.
| BC Conservation Officers investigating after protected area violated - Castanet News (August 24, 2020) Unlawful campers targeted at Green Lake - 100 Mile Free Press (August 20, 2020) Garibaldi never set foot here. Why is a park still named after him? - North Shore News (August 17, 2020) B.C. puts up funds to clean up Tulsequah Chief mine near Alaska border - The Province (August 16, 2020) Conservation group calls for multi-million dollar investment in B.C.'s parks - CBC News, (August 16, 2020) Five great hikes around the Lower Mainland you can do without a day pass - CBC News (August 15, 2020) EDITORIAL: Support Sea to Sky rangers, BC Parks - Squamish Chief (August 13, 2020) Park planning plodding along - Penticton Herald (August 12, 2020) Petition to stop commercial development on Mount Begbie gathers more than 1,300 signatures - Revelstoke Mountaineer (August 11, 2020) Parks Canada kills fish in remote lakes to protect at-risk native species - CBC News (August 11, 2020) Outdoor education needed in B.C. as more people head outside during pandemic - City News 1130 (August 11, 2020) BC Parks acquires private land in Cape Scott Provincial Park - North Island Gazette (August 7) 'It's been a really busy year': Search and rescue teams on track to break records, despite pandemic - CTV News (August 10, 2020) Mayors worry park restrictions, day passes are shifting crowds to smaller community areas - CBC News (August 4, 2020) For many hikers, navigating BC Parks' day pass program hasn't been a walk in the park - CBC News (August 8, 2020) Liard Hot Springs plan to be updated - Alaska Highway News (August 7, 2020) EDITORIAL: Parks Infrastructure Under Stress - Pique News Magazine (August 5, 2020) Government carves out $3B to help communities with pandemic infrastructure projects - CBC News (August 5, 2020): | Thanks to the Mike Qui for this month's feature photo of Panorama Ridge, located at Garibaldi Provincial Park. He quotes as "...one of the most incredible hikes in British Columbia." Learn more about Panorama Ridge. The hike takes about 1.5 hours of driving to get to the Rubble Creek trailhead from Vancouver. The round trip is 28km in total with about 1600m of elevation. Mike went up to watch the sunset and camped at Taylor Meadows for one night. Want to share your backcountry photos? Send them to chandra@mountainclubs.org | The FMCBC is a proud member of: | Thanks to Taiga Works for supporting the FMCBC through their generous contribution of office space. | | Copyright © 2020 Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC, All rights reserved.
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