BC Parks in the News  

In case you missed them, we wanted to share some stories of BC Parks in the news over the last few months. From volunteer-led plantings in parks to help pollinating insects to impressive community sporting events, we’ll be providing updates like these moving forward to make sure the great work taking place in parks and communities across BC is celebrated.

Prince George Public Library now lending out hiking kits – August 17, 2022 

Thanks to funding from the BC Parks Licence Plate Program, a new program was launched in August that encourages people to sign out hiking kits at the Prince George Public Library. The hiking kits are backpacks that come with everything needed to inspire people to get outside and connect with nature. This includes hiking poles, headlamps, a first aid kit, and other important hiking and safety gear.  

Many hands make light work at Cornwall fire lookout work bee – September 21, 2022  

In September, a group of dedicated volunteers from the Four Wheel Drive Association of BC and Ashcroft/Cache Creek worked to repair and paint a historic fire lookout in Cornwall Hills Provincial Park. In 2016, the group took over maintaining the fire lookout that has been there since at least the 1890s. A big thank you to this group of volunteers for their hard work. 

Kootenay Native Plant Society launches fall planting season to support monarch butterflies – October 31, 2022 

In October, the Kootenay Native Plant Society volunteers spent a day planting native plant seedlings in Syringa Creek Park as part of its larger Pollination Pathway Program, which they launched in 2020. This project was funded in part by our regional Park Enhancement Fund program. They plan to plant more than one million native plant seedlings at 13 sites to help pollinating insects in the region. The endangered Monarch butterfly has already been seen using areas they’ve helped replant! 

Accessible travel guides launched for the Vancouver Island region  – November 3, 2022

Accessible travel guides have recently been launched by 4VI (formerly Tourism Vancouver Island), Spinal Cord Injury BC, Destination British Columbia, and a group of Community Destination Management Organizations in 17 communities across Vancouver Island. They highlight accessible tourism products and recommendations for people of all abilities. Strathcona Park and a BC Parks ranger are featured in the article with a park visitor using a TrailRider on the Paradise Meadows boardwalk. Macmillan Park is also mentioned as an accessible destination for visitors. Check out the article for more information and links to the communities’ travel guides.