BC’s communities come together to maintain and clean up trails and outdoor places on BC Trails Day
On the third annual BC Trails Day on June 3, 2023, British Columbians will join a province-wide movement to give back to the trails and support the vital work that keeps them open and accessible to the community.
Led by the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC (ORCBC), BC Trails Day includes a full day of events to promote the benefits of outdoor recreation and support for trail maintenance while building an inclusive outdoors where everyone feels welcome and has access to enjoy the great outdoors.
Hikers, bikers, quad riders, paddlers, equestrians, recreation clubs and land managers will come together to celebrate and care for BC's trail system, educate about responsible recreation and help community members enjoy trails and outdoor spaces.
This year, more than 75 events are planned in 55 communities (up from 54 events in 46 communities in 2022), including Chilliwack, Fernie, Gambier Island, Kimberley, Merritt, New Denver, Prince Rupert, Tumbler Ridge, Ucluelet, Victoria and Ymir.
Examples of events include restoring access and repairing the damage done by the 2020 Christie Mountain wildfire at Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park (Penticton and Area Cycling Association) to a nature hike along the Tla’amin Trails Network (Tla'amin Nation and qathet Parks and Wilderness Society) to a trail clean-up and hotdogs at Andy’s Lake Recreation Site (Merritt Snowmobile Club) and a junior trail steward program at Goldstream Provincial Park (Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC).
Louise Pedersen, Executive Director for ORCBC, says, “We are so pleased to see the growing interest from recreation groups across the province in celebrating and caring for trails and outdoor spaces on BC Trails Day. Trails offer incredible community benefits by promoting health and wellness, facilitating reconciliation with Indigenous peoples through relationship-building and respect for Indigenous values and generating jobs and other economic benefits.
Pedersen continued: "Joining a trail maintenance event on BC Trails Day is just one option for pitching in. Volunteering can be as simple as picking up trash on your walks or rides, following Leave No Trace principles, or getting a membership to your local recreation club."
More information about BC Trails Day, including a calendar of events, is available here: https://www.orcbc.ca/bctrailsday
Here are some ways you can celebrate BC Trails Day on your own, with your family or friends:
Go for a walk, ride, or paddle and have fun. If you're taking any four-legged friends along, don't forget a leash and waste bags.
Pack a small garbage bag and some gloves with you, and pick up any trash you may see on the trail. This helps keep trails clean and safe for other users and the wildlife who live nearby.
Show support for your favourite trails by joining a local outdoor group. Your membership will support trail maintenance and advocacy for your community's trail systems.
The ORCBC's BC Trails Day is made possible with the generous support of TD Friends of the Environment, McElhanney, RC Strategies, and the BC Parks Licence Plate Program. Provincial partners include Recreation Sites and Trails BC and BC Parks.
