We want you to love your experience outdoors.
Destination BC | Grant Harder photo
The Outdoor Recreation Council of BC (ORCBC) is a charitable organization that serves as an umbrella group for over 100 outdoor recreation associations and organizations across the province—representing the public interest. Since 1976, we have been advocating for outdoor enthusiasts, safeguarding vital natural spaces for recreation, and ensuring that everyone can enjoy BC's great outdoors.
We work with our members, government agencies, First Nations, other organizations, and the public to address issues related to outdoor recreation access, environmental stewardship, and public policy.
These are some of the key priorities of ORCBC to support and enhance outdoor recreation in the province:
Protect and enhance outdoor recreational opportunities, including parks, trails, and waterways.
Collaborate with government, non-profits, and stakeholders on recreation policies and strategies.
Partner with Indigenous communities to promote access to traditional lands and support Indigenous-led recreation.
Advocate for increased funding for outdoor recreation infrastructure, programs and capacity-building efforts.
Engage in outreach and education to promote access, inclusivity, collaboration and environmental stewardship.
Vancouver Island Dirt Riders Association photo
Our Mission
We advocate for access to and promote the responsible use of BC’s outdoors for public recreation while building bridges between our diverse membership.
Our Vision
Recreation and outdoor places are valued as essential to healthy individuals and vibrant communities, and that every British Columbian has access to meaningful outdoor recreation experiences.
Our Values & Principles
Indigenous Reconciliation
We acknowledge Indigenous rights and title and support increasing the capacity of Indigenous peoples in BC to steward their lands and waters as key to the future of healthy ecosystems, communities and respectful recreation.
Accountability
We are accountable for our actions, and our processes are open and transparent.
Respect and Diversity
We promote respect and aspire to represent the diversity of the British Columbia population.
Environmental Sustainability
We value BC’s outdoor places for their intrinsic ecological, social and cultural values and promote actions to keep them healthy.
collaboration
We collaborate with our members, partners, various levels of government including Indigenous governments, and outdoor recreation users to support our common mission. We convene, amplify and lead.
Resiliency
We adapt to new realities, pursue new opportunities and explore promising approaches.
Our Team
Louise Pedersen
Executive Director
Louise joined ORCBC in 2019 with a vision to enhance the impact, diversity and sustainability of the organization. She holds an M.Sc. in natural resource management and a post-graduate diploma in public relations. She has a long resume in the philanthropic and communications fields for nature organizations in Canada and the UK. Louise lives in Revelstoke and is an outdoor enthusiast, to say the least: kayaking, nordic skiing, gravel biking, fishing and camping.
louisepedersen@orcbc.ca
Soraya Olszewski
Communication & Engagement Officer
With a postgraduate certificate in Environmental Visual Communication and a Bachelor of Education in Outdoor and Experiential Education, Soraya uses meaningful storytelling to connect people with the outdoors and to inspire them to protect the places they love. Soraya currently works and plays out of Nelson, where you can find her camping, paddling, fly fishing, skiing, and documenting the adventures on her camera all the while.
communication@orcbc.ca
Ximena Diaz Lopez
Fund Development Officer
Ximena returned to ORCBC in May 2022 after graduating from UBC Sauder School of Business with a BCom specializing in marketing. She previously worked on advancing efforts to build a BC Trail Fund as well as filling outdoor recreation research gaps in the province. Ximena is back to continue supporting ORCBC projects. She lives on the North Shore and her favourite outdoor activities include trail running, cycling, and swimming.
ximenalopez@orcbc.ca
Tomke Augustin
Grant Program Manager
Tomke plays a key role in advancing the Outdoor Recreation Fund and its many impactful projects across the province. She holds a PhD in international management and has a track record of grant writing and advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in research, higher education and the outdoor sector. She originally moved to BC for its famous mountain biking and has since explored the lands and waters also through hiking, camping, trail running and skiing.
grants@orcbc.ca
Natalie Marsnik
Bookkeeper
Nat is CEO and Founder of Chickadee Nonprofit Solutions, a Vancouver-based team whose mission is to empower and equip nonprofits with strong financial systems and skill building. An accredited Certified Professional Bookkeeper (CPB) and Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional (CNAP), Nat also holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours from McGill University and a Fine Arts diploma. When not immersed in spreadsheets, Nat enjoys screenwriting, bird-watching, and dog agility.
Ryan Stuart
Feature Writer & Webinar Facilitator
As a freelance writer, Ryan contributes to many of the top outdoor magazines and websites in Canada and the U.S. His favourite assignments combine adventure sports, responsible recreation and environmental sustainability, so writing for ORCBC was a perfect fit. He has been contributing blog posts and articles covering everything from Indigenous relations to trail funding advocacy since 2021. When he’s not writing from his home office on Vancouver Island, you will find him skiing, surfing, mountain biking, paddling, climbing and running.
Board of Directors & Advisory Members
Members of the Board of Directors are elected at the Annual General Meeting which usually takes place in June each year. All board minutes from the past 12 months are posted here.
ERic Vanderkruk
Chair
Columbia Valley Greenways Trail Alliance
Ciel Sander
Vice-Chair
Trails Society of BC
Ken Matthews
Treasurer
Back Country Horsemen of BC
Amanda L'Heureux
Secretary
BC Snowmobile Federation
rod clapton
Director
BC Federation of Drift Fishers
Ken McClelland
Director
BC Off-Road Motorcycle Association
Phil Rankin
Director
Recreational Canoeing Association of BC
Kim Reeves
Director
Four Wheel Drive Association of BC
Byron Spinks
Director
New Pathways to Gold Society
Dave Wharton
Director
Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC
Wayne mercer
Past Chair, ex officio
Quad Riders ATV Association of BC
Mark Angelo
Advisor (rivers and salmon) & BC Rivers Chair
BC Rivers Institute (Chair Emeritus)
Mel turner
Advisor (parks and protected areas)