BC Trails Day offers British Columbians the chance to celebrate and give back
Steve Andrews photo
For immediate release
Revelstoke, BC - May 31, 2022: The second annual BC Trails Day is on Saturday, June 4. Led by the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC, with partner agencies and community organizations, the day is an opportunity to celebrate and steward BC's trails, educate about responsible recreation and help more British Columbians enjoy trails and outdoor spaces.
British Columbia has an astounding 44,000 kilometres of recreational trails that receive visits from millions of locals and visitors each year. They provide opportunities for numerous outdoor activities, preserve the province's natural and cultural history, and support community health and local economies.
Trail-related activities, including running, hiking and biking, have grown in popularity for over a decade but soared during the pandemic. Metro Vancouver reports a 37% increase in visits to its regional parks in 2021 compared to 2019, and BC Parks has previously reported a 23% increase in park visitors throughout BC between 2014 to 2019.
"Over the last few years, more people have realized the importance of getting outside and discovering their local trails and parks, to the point of more than a 150% increase in trail usage in some areas, says Louise Pedersen, Executive Director for the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC. "BC Trails Day is an opportunity to rally around these essential community assets, to celebrate and care for them."
Outdoor groups and communities in 46 communities, including Ahousaht, Bowser, Cache Creek, Fernie, Golden, Kelowna, Lillooet, Mackenzie, North Vancouver, Penticton, Stewart, and Williams Lake, are hosting more than 50 events ranging from group hikes and rides, trail cleanups, educational events on trail building and responsible recreation, and introductions of new trail users to outdoor recreation.
One of the many community events happening on Saturday is hosted by Vernon ATV Club and two partner organizations. Clint Ingham from Vernon ATV Club said: "We are excited to partner with Okanagan Forest Task Force (OFTF) and Four Wheel Drive Association of BC (4WDABC) to celebrate BC Trails Day by performing a cleanup along the trails and at known dumpsites in the King Eddy area. OFTF has a strong reputation for performing cleanups and catching people dumping in the forest, and 4WDABC is an organization like our own that educates users on how to recreate responsibly in the backcountry. We'll be rewarding all cleanup volunteers with a big BBQ in the afternoon!"
Tennessee Trent, Trails Manager with Recreation Sites and Trails BC, one of the provincial agencies that support the BC Trails Day initiative, said: "Many thanks to the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC for coordinating BC trails day across the province and the trail's sector. It is encouraging to see so many groups participating in trail cleanups, inclusivity events, education, and maintenance. We have much to celebrate with so many great trails and great trail stewards."
"BC Trails Day is a great way to celebrate BC's beautiful trail networks, and we are pleased to contribute to the event again this year," said Janet Devaney, senior manager, community & Indigenous initiatives, FortisBC. "We encourage people to get involved and learn what we can all do to enjoy BC's outdoor spaces safely and responsibly to help preserve these areas for future generations."
Increased recreation use is not only putting more pressure on BC's recreational infrastructure and natural spaces, but it is also elevating the need for volunteers to perform important repair work, educate trail users and work with land managers to mitigate the substantial effects of climate change-induced wildfires, flooding and erosion.
Louise Pedersen continued, "Volunteer trail stewards are crucial to the success of our provincial trail system. Due to the severe budget constraints of our provincial land agencies, BC Parks and Recreation Sites and Trails BC, it is volunteers from community-based trail organizations who perform most of the crew work on many trails. As more people venture outdoors, our trails need more regular maintenance and cleanup, and the need for volunteers continues to grow."
Jay MacArthur is a volunteer with the Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC who's been involved with trail development and maintenance in the Lower Mainland since 1974: "I like getting outside and being involved with any aspect of trail work - fixing up trails and signs, planning projects with staff from BC Parks and talking to other trail users about responsible recreation. The trails are just so much busier now, which puts more pressure on volunteers to keep them clean and safe. Some of the best ways people can help BC's trails is to pick up trash while outdoors and support your local outdoor groups by participating in a maintenance event and becoming a member."
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 contribute to trail maintenance and advocacy for your community's trail systems.
Share a social media post on why you're celebrating trails for a chance to win some great prizes. Tag #BCTrailsDay and ORCBC (Instagram: orcbc.ca) to be entered to win one of four great prizes from Patagonia and Fjallraven.
More information about BC Trails Day, including a calendar of events, is available here: https://www.orcbc.ca/bctrailsday
BC Trails Day is made possible with the generous support of Fortis BC and TD Friends of the Environment. Provincial partners include BC Parks and Recreation Sites and Trails BC.
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For more information, quotes or images, please contact:
Louise Pedersen, ORCBC Executive Director, 604-873-5546 or louisepedersen@orcbc.ca
Find the complete list of events here (location name is given in event title): https://www.orcbc.ca/events
Quotes from event hosts:
Armstrong: Marge Sidney from the Armstrong Spallumcheen Trails Society said: "Armstrong Spallumcheen Trails Society is excited to host our 2nd BC Trails Day event. The residents of Armstrong and Spallumcheen have very limited access to Crown Land locally. Mt Rose Swanson is the only area we have. During the pandemic, this area wasn't closed down and so many people from far and wide came here to recreate. We noticed a huge increase in numbers.By showcasing our local area we wish to point out the need to have more access to Crown Land for recreation that is currently behind private property and closed to public access, so we can spread out use and pressure on the one area we do have access to.
Bowser: Kelsey Wright, from Lighthouse Recreation said: "At Lighthouse Recreation, we know how important our local trails are to the community. That's why we're so happy to work with our amazing community volunteers, the Regional District of Nanaimo and the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC to celebrate BC trails day by giving back to the trails that connect the Lighthouse community to healthy recreation opportunities. Coming together as a community to work on our local pump track creates meaningful social connections while having fun in our outdoor environment. Thanks, everyone!"
Bralorne: Blake Rowsell, Bridge River Valley Community Association, said: "In a small community it can be difficult to gain momentum for trail improvements and development. With the support of the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC, the Bridge River Valley now has new trail tools which goes a long way to swing the momentum. Trails are an incredibly important community resource, we are excited to get to work on that resource."
Chilliwack: Jennifer Roy from Chilliwack Park Society said: "BC Trails Day is the celebration of our natural forest resources and the vitality we exchange when we are out in our trail networks. Chilliwack Park Society celebrates this day through demonstrated trail stewardship and commitment to engage with new and experienced trail walkers, hikers, and bikers. Come join us on Little Mountain on June 4 from 10 am-1 pm!"
Elk Valley: Stephan Roy from Elk Valley Adventure and Dirt Riders Society said: "Elk Valley Adventure and Dirt Riders Society is proud of joining the BC Trails Day celebration. Our little group of volunteers is working hard at maintaining 60+ km of singletrack trails in the majestic Koocanusa area. BC Trail day will allow for hundreds of visitors to meet the people that maintain the trails, put up the signage and work with RSTBC and other stakeholders. With the limited budget that RSTBC has for trail maintenance, the trail users need to get involved, and Trails Day will give us a platform to connect with the users."
Jordan River/Sooke: Lindsay Oien, Vancouver Island Dirt Riders Association, said: "With a limited amount of trail areas available for motorized vehicle use, we have committed our club to responsibly steward our local rec areas to keep our trail networks viable. This BC Trails Day we are focusing effort on the Tansky rec site, specifically to groom existing trails to be more beginner-novice friendly, so they can be better utilized by families and new riders. This will allow us to make better use of Tanksy, which in turn will grow our riding community and open this area up to a wider cross-section of riders."
Logan Lake: Jane D'Silva, Logan Lake ATV Club said: "This is the second time that the Logan Lake ATV Club has participated in a BC Trails Day event. The reaction we experienced in 2021 was awesome, and we are looking forward to having a great event in 2022."
Nanaimo: Cheryl Oickle, Back Country Horsemen of BC - Central Vancouver Island said: "This is the day we can take our outdoor appreciation to its highest and join in the trails day celebrations happening all over the province. To take the time to acknowledge how fortunate we are to have such a vast area for all outdoor recreational activities. Never take the beauty of the "open spaces" or the "unceded traditional lands" for granted."
Nelson: Laurie Frankcom, Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society said: "BC Trails Day is important because it's a celebration of trails and the healthy lifestyle they encourage. The day allows our organization to speak to trail users about the importance of stopping the spread of invasive species. We use Trails Day to educate recreationists on quick and easy ways to responsibly enjoy the outdoors without spreading invasive species or pests that could put our trails at risk."
Port Moody: Jody Baker from the Sea Kayaking Association of British Columbia said:" ORCBC gives outdoor recreation across a range of users and practices a stronger voice with the public and with the government. BC Trails Day gives us all focus and a sense of common purpose in protecting our extraordinary province. It gives clubs like ours the opportunity to showcase our activities and raise awareness of the opportunities offered by paddling sports. Trails Day gives our club an opportunity to get kayakers together and, more importantly, introduce young people to paddling and to BC's unique marine environment and coastal heritage."
Prince George: Lance Anderson from the Prince George ATV Club said: "Our club is excited to participate in the BC Trails Day event and invite all the members to join us for a trail cleanup, BBQ & club ride. Our volunteers will be cleaning up the mobility nature trail located at the Dougherty Creek campground. Some equipment will be supplied for the cleanup, but volunteers coming can bring rakes, shovels, etc. BBQ - Free Food will be available for all participants after the cleanup!"
Powell River: "It's a fact: The Tla'amin Traditional Lands have some of the best access to nature on the planet, if not the universe," says Eagle Walz, one of the founders of the world-famous Sunshine Coast Trail. "We hope that current, as well as future generations, will be able to enjoy this unique gift of nature. The best way to understand nature…to gain respect for it…is to experience it... to honour it. Nature is something people of all ages can enjoy. A hike in the woods costs nothing and offers incredible emotional and health values. We thank the Tla'amin Nation for sharing it and raise our hands to them."
Sun Peaks: Kelly Kozevnikov from Sun Peaks Recreational Trail Association (SPRTA): "SPRTA is super excited to host our Trail Building 101 event to celebrate BC Trails Day. Our team is looking forward to welcoming the Sun Peaks community back to the trails after winter and introducing people of all ages to trail building, responsible recreation, and environmental stewardship. Trails are such important assets for all communities, and we're happy to celebrate the positive impact of outdoor recreation in partnership with other trail associations across BC."
Vancouver: Stephen Hui, author of Best Hikes and Nature Walks With Kids In and Around Southwestern British Columbia: "We sure love our trails, and they enrich us — socially, economically, and environmentally — in so many ways. Let's celebrate BC Trails Day by caring for the trails, connecting with nature and neighbours, and learning to better respect Indigenous nations' stewardship of lands and waters."
Vernon: Clint Ingham from Vernon ATV Club said: "We are excited to partner with Okanagan Forest Task Force and 4WDABC to celebrate BC Trails Day by performing a cleanup along the trails and at known dumpsites in the King Eddy area. OFTF has such a strong reputation for performing cleanups and catching people dumping in the forest and 4WDABC is an organization like our own that educates users on how to recreate responsibly in the backcountry. We'll be rewarding all cleanup volunteers with a big BBQ on the afternoon of Saturday, June 4, so sign up and help make a difference!"
