Our parks play an important role in providing outdoor space and access to nature to the people of BC and visitors to our province. But what happens when we remove the people from those spaces and leave the parks to the wildlife? In 2020, the park system was closed, and Joffre Lakes Provincial Park did …
At BC Parks, we are committed to serving British Columbians by protecting natural features and providing diverse opportunities for outdoor recreation for current and future generations. BC Parks benefits tremendously from the contributions made by volunteers and in collaboration with other fantastic organizations. This July, I was able to join Surfrider Foundation, a renowned international …
Written by: Ken Marr, Royal BC Museum In the summer of 2018, biologists from the Royal BC Museum (RBCM) and the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources Operations and Rural Development (FLNRORD) went on a mission to collect plant, insect, spider and mushroom specimens from the remote alpine zone (the land above the trees) …
When Mackenzie Clark comes into work, she knows she’s going to learn something new and chances are she will be out in the field, in a provincial park. Mackenzie is one of 37 youth employed in the BC Parks Youth Employment Program across the province, with 11 co–op positions and 26 student ranger intern positions, under the broader umbrella of the StrongerBC Future …
Boosting Butterfly Numbers in Helliwell The number of Taylor’s checkerspot butterflies, a critically endangered species, in Helliwell Provincial Park, rose significantly last spring when nearly 1,300 caterpillars, reared at the Greater Vancouver Zoo by Wildlife Preservation Canada staff, were gently placed in the park by the Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterfly Recovery Project Team. This follows the …
Context While we continue to weather the COVID- 19 pandemic, it’s never been clearer that our parks are critical to carefully manage and protect as places that sustain us and provide important connections to nature. At the same time, there is growing concern about the effectiveness of protected areas in meeting objectives such as biodiversity …
By Sabina Pereira Last summer I was employed with BC Parks and Thompson Rivers University working on the Okanagan Small Mammal Inventory Project. The goal of the project was to identify which species of small mammals were present in various protected areas in the North Okanagan and create a list for research and management purposes. …
Each year, BC Parks invites volunteers and community partners to apply for project funding from the Park Enhancement Fund (PEF). This regional PEF funding is intended to support community engagement projects and partnerships across the province. From volunteers to local scientists, regional PEF funding is a wonderful way to support our local parks partners. $240,000 …
Sugarbowl-Grizzly Den Provincial Park, a local Prince George treasure, was established in 1999 to protect the old growth cedar, hemlock, spruce forests and sweeping alpine meadows. With nearly 24,000 hectares protected, the park provides necessary habitat for a variety of wildlife, including mountain caribou. It also provides excellent recreational opportunities year-around for outdoor enthusiasts, offering …
Tucked away in the nooks and crannies of British Columbia’s mountain ranges is a symbol of the alpine. White as the snow-capped peaks, the mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus) is an iconic mountain species of British Columbia. Approximately half of the world’s mountain goats reside within the province, inhabiting the jagged alpine slopes. Owing to the …