ORCBC receives $10M contribution to support volunteer groups

Tourism Chilliwack | Jennifer Kleingeltink photo

New Outdoor Recreation Fund will help improve access to outdoor recreation 

The Outdoor Recreation Council of BC (ORCBC) will receive $10 million from the provincial government as a one-time grant to support community-based volunteer recreation groups with improving access to outdoor recreation. 

ORCBC, a non-governmental umbrella organization, which brings together 70 outdoor recreation clubs and associations that construct and maintain trails and recreation assets, deliver education programs on safe and responsible recreation, and organize events and trips for their members and the public, will use the full contribution to launch the Outdoor Recreation Fund of BC. 

The new endowment fund will help address long-standing funding gaps and concerns related to volunteer capacity challenges in the outdoor recreation sector. Through an annual grant program, the fund will provide reliable and consistent funding for recreation projects for community-based volunteer clubs, Indigenous groups and local governments.

The $10 million grant announcement was made at an event at the B.C. Legislature on Monday, May 1, 2023 by the Honourable George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. He highlighted in his speech that the growing interest in outdoor recreation has put a strain on the province’s recreation resources and that more needs to be done to assist volunteer-based outdoor groups who work in partnership with the Province to look after B.C.’s trails and outdoor recreation facilities.  

“This contribution couldn’t come at a more important time, and we are very thankful to the Province for heeding our call for more support for B.C.’s outdoor recreation sector, which is largely powered by volunteers,” said Louise Pedersen, ORCBC Executive Director, who spoke at the event. 

She continued: “British Columbians love trails and outdoor recreation, and with the continued growth in participation, it’s essential to recognize and support the role of volunteer-based community organizations in advancing opportunities for outdoor access. By setting up a dedicated province-wide funding source for trail maintenance and other recreation projects, these groups can spend less time chasing money and more time enhancing outdoor recreation experiences for all British Columbians.”

“We thank the government of the Province of British Columbia for recognizing the importance of public outdoor recreation and for backing up that moral support with hard cash,” said Wayne Mercer, ORCBC Board Chair. “Volunteerism is an invaluable resource that builds stronger communities and brings people together to accomplish great things very economically. By supporting a fund that will exist in perpetuity, the government has provided the impetus for fulfilling our vision to secure donations from many private, public, and corporate sources to support outdoor recreation in its many forms.”

In response to a persistent lack of support for volunteer organizations, ORCBC has led efforts since 2020 with support from the Provincial Trails Advisory Body, a working group that provides advice to the Province on the implementation of the Trails Strategy of B.C., to explore and make recommendations for a sustainable and reliable funding model for recreation and trail stewardship. The endowment fund proposal was originally developed and brought forward to the Province by ORCBC last summer. 

“How wonderful to see this action item that identified sustainable funding for our overstretched recreation sector as a priority in the Trails Strategy for British Columbia has led to today’s announcement,” enthused Eric Vanderkruk, Vice-Chair of the Columbia Valley Greenways Trails Alliance and ORCBC Vice-Chair. “Congratulations and thanks to the dedicated ORCBC staff and committee members that developed and presented the plan to the Government of BC. This news will come as a welcome encouragement to the multitude of volunteers who work tirelessly to provide healthy recreation opportunities for all British Columbians!”

“Congratulations to ORCBC for developing such a strong business case to support recreation volunteers from around the province,” said Tennessee Trent, Trails Manager, Recreation Sites and Trails BC and Co-Chair of the Provincial Trails Advisory Body. “This funding was noted as a priority, and ORCBC has provided real leadership in developing the business case and advocating for this funding. This will result in significant, ongoing support to volunteers not in place before.”

The contribution from the provincial government will help launch the new fund. ORCBC will seek to leverage additional funds from various sources and utilize the fund as a vehicle that provides an effective way for individuals, governments, corporations and foundations to support B.C.’s outdoor recreation system and its volunteers financially. The fund will allow British Columbians to recognize and support the essential volunteer work that provides many benefits to individuals and communities.

ORCBC will administer the grant program, disperse funds, solicit additional external funding and promote the fund. A dedicated advisory committee will be created to provide oversight and recommend successful grant applications to the ORCBC board of directors for final approval. 

Over the next few months, the ORCBC team will develop policies, guidelines and priorities for the Outdoor Recreation Fund of BC in consultation with its membership. The first grant application intake is expected to take place in spring 2024.

More information about the Outdoor Recreation Fund is available here: https://www.orcbc.ca/grants-for-outdoor-recreation