Over 75 community-led projects supported in BC Parks this year

Across the province, $180,000 has recently been allocated from the Park Enhancement Fund (PEF) for community BC Parks projects to be completed by March 31, 2023.

Over the years, BC Parks has funded community groups to lead projects that greatly enhance BC Parks and enrich the public’s enjoyment of parks, while protecting cultural and conservation values. This year, each of our six BC Parks regions received $30,000 in funding for a total of 77 community-led conservation and recreation projects.

Projects this year include: World River Day celebrations; trail maintenance, improvements and signage; education programs and camps; accessibility projects; invasive species removal and education; lake clean ups; species monitoring, habitat restoration and species counts (e.g. western toad, bats, birds, vegetation); wetland wildlife assessments and more.

The list below highlights the community partners who were successful in receiving project funding: 

We are so grateful to our community partners who lead these projects and contribute so much of their time to our parks. Keep an eye on our social media channels next spring when we’ll be announcing another year of funding for community-led projects. 

For more information, email BCParks.Volunteers@gov.bc.ca.  

WEST COAST: $30,000
Community Partners for Conservation projects:
• Bowser Ecological Reserve
• Heron Rocks Friendship Centre Society
• Gabriola Land and Trails Trust
• Galiano Conservancy Association
• Living Oceans Society
• Maslovat Consulting
• Pearson College UWC
• Yellow Point Ecological Society
• Archaeologist Colin Grier
• Canadian Cave Conservancy
• Surfrider Foundation Pacific Rim Chapter

Community Partners for Recreation projects:
• River City Cycle Club
• Lasqueti Island Nature Conservancy
• Lasqueti Committee Association
• Friends of Ruckle Park Heritage Society
• Eves Provincial Park Board of Directors
• PEPAKEN HAUTW Foundation
• Friends of Morden Mine
• Beaver Creek Community Hall
• Arrowsmith Cycling Club
• BC Marine Trails Network Association
• Comox District Mountaineering Club

KOOTENAY-OKANAGAN: $30,000
Community Partners for Conservation projects:
• Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society
• Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society
• East Kootenay Invasive Species Council
• Kootenay Native Plant Society
• Lake Windermere Ambassadors Society
• Trail Wildlife Association
• Wildsight Revelstoke Society
• BC Conservation Foundation
• Hope Mountain Centra for Outdoor Learning
• Boundary Invasive Species Society
• Friends of Kalamala Lake Provincial Park Society

Community Partners for Recreation projects:
• Toadfest at Summit Lake Park
• Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network
• Elk River Alliance
• Kokanee Creek Nature Centre
• Penticton Area Cycling Association
• KVR Middle School
• Queen’s Park Elementary School
• South Okanagan Immigrant and Community Services
• Vernon Snowmobile Association
• Fat Dog 120 Trail Race SOUTH COAST: $30,000
Community Partners for Conservation projects:
• Aquatic Monkey lake clean up
• Environmental Consultant Tamsin Baker
• Squamish Environmental Society
• Wildcoast Ecological Society
• Divers for Cleaner Lakes and Oceans

Community Partners for Recreation projects:
• BC Mountaineering Club
• Qathet Regional Cycling Assoc
• Squamish Access Society
• Tetrahedron Outdoor Club

THOMPSON CARIBOO: $30,000
Community Partners for Conservation projects:
• Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society
• Friends of Churn Creek Protected Area Society
• Grassland Conservation Council of BC
• Kamloops Naturalist Club

Community Partners for Recreation projects:
• University of Waterloo
• Kamloops Bike Riders Assoc.
• Roger Williams and Wanda Dorsey
• Rotary Club of Clearwater
• Simpcw First Nation*
• Thompson Nicola Regional District*
* Project noted as conservation as well.

NORTH-SKEENA: $30,000
Community Partners for Conservation projects:
• Royal BC Museum
• Lakelse Watershed Stewards Society

Community Partners for Recreation projects:
• University of Northern BC and Spinal Cord Injury BC
• Hah Nic Na Aah Mountain Marathon
• Tahltan Central Government
• Kitasoo Xai Xais Stewardship Authority
• SkeenaWild Conservation Trust

OMINECA-PEACE: $30,000
Community Partners for Conservation projects:
• Polaris Montessori School

Community Partners for Recreation projects:
• University of Northern BC and Spinal Cord Injury BC
• Yellowhead Outdoor Recreation Association
• Ozalenka Alpine Club
• Blizzard Bike Club
• Tsay Keh Dene Nation
• Caledonia Ramblers
• Prince George Backcountry Recreation Society