We are hosting our monthly virtual Roundtable which is an opportunity for ORCBC member organizations to come together and discuss challenges, needs and opportunities in your organizations. ORCBC regularly brings guest speakers in to provide an overview of new initiatives, funding and support that is available to the recreation community.

To obtain a Zoom link, please email us.

B.C. First Nations have declared more than a dozen Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas. In general, this means the Nations want to elevate their role in stewarding the land, water and air. The specifics can vary widely. There is no established avenue for creating IPCAs. And the recreation communitee’s input and role in the process remains largely unknown.

To help fill in the information gaps, the ORCBC has invited representatives from two IPCA initiatives to share their visions and answer questions in a webinar on Tuesday, November 26 at 1 pm Pacific Time.

Eric Angel is the general manager of the Salmon Parks Stewardship Society, a registered non-profit set up by the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation on Vancouver Island to implement their vision for the uu-a-thluk (taking care of ~ stewardship) in the hahuułi (chiefly territories).

Byron Spinks is a Lytton First Nation councillor and the elder leading the Stein Nahatlatch Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area Initiative. The SN Inititative aims to develop a comprehensive land and water use plan for a large section of the southeastern Coast Range west of the Fraser River to protect cultural heritage and biodiversity, while creating economic development.

The guests will share the vision of their respective IPCA proposals and the perspective on the larger process. IPCAs will play an important role in the province’s ability to meet its commitments to the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and to biodiversity. This webinar will provide valuable insights for anyone interested in the future of recreation in the province.

The Outdoor Recreation Council of BC is a non-profit organization. This webinar is sponsored by the Real Estate Foundation of BC. If you would like to support our work, consider donating or get in touch about sponsorship opportunities.

We are hosting our monthly virtual Roundtable which is an opportunity for ORCBC member organizations to come together and discuss challenges, needs and opportunities in your organizations. ORCBC regularly brings guest speakers in to provide an overview of new initiatives, funding and support that is available to the recreation community.

To obtain a Zoom link, please email us.

We are hosting our monthly virtual Roundtable which is an opportunity for ORCBC member organizations to come together and discuss challenges, needs and opportunities in your organizations. ORCBC regularly brings guest speakers in to provide an overview of new initiatives, funding and support that is available to the recreation community.

To obtain a Zoom link, please email us.

Join Michele Archie, Harbinger Consultancy, for a continued exploration of the new Conducting and Using Visitor and Recreational User Research Do-It-Yourself Guide and Toolkit developed with support from ORCBC and other partners. The focus of this webinar is using your research findings. 

After this 60-minute webinar, you will:

• Be familiar with the guide and the resources it provides to support analyzing and using the data you collect.

• Understand how to estimate the economic impact of your trails and outdoor recreation.

• Explore other potential uses of data about trail users and outdoor recreation visitors.

Michele Archie is principal of The Harbinger Consultancy, a firm based in the U.S. Rocky Mountain Western region. Michele leads Harbinger’s work in community and regional economic analysis, outdoor recreation, and community-based education and tourism.

The Outdoor Recreation Council of BC is a non-profit organization. These webinars are free, thanks to the support of our generous donors and sponsors. If you would like to support our work, consider donating or get in touch about sponsorship opportunities.

Michael Blackstock, a retired forester and Independent Indigenous Scholar, will take you on a storytelling journey, beginning with why he has dedicated the last 25 years to encouraging a shift in human attitude towards water and nature. He will share a new ecological philosophy called Blue Ecology, which is rooted in peer reviewed academic research, but structured to be implemented in practical ways. He will close off with a message of hope, in the face of overwhelming threats to the environment. You will learn about spiritual aspects of water, why trees are air conditioners and about collaboration with each other, and the natural intelligence of nature. You will be encouraged to partner with the younger generations to do small actions which will make a big difference. We will also feature a Pop Up Art display featuring wooden painted salmon and other works including photography with a Tree to Sea theme.

You can learn more about the event at culturedays.ca

Please join us as we celebrate Rivers Day in the Squamish river watershed with our community, partners and collaborators at the Tenderfoot Creek Hatchery Sunday, September 29th, 2024 10am to 2pm.

Join us as we plant new native vegetation around the hatchery pond, enjoy hatchery and explore the spawning channel trails. We will provide drinks, coffee and light snacks, and the Rotary Club will be providing a lunch time BBQ!

Join NatureKids TriCities for a fun day of family-friendly activities to celebrate BC Rivers Day at the Fraser River Discovery Centre. Make new friends and learn how to keep our rivers healthy. NatureKids families will meet before the RiverFest event takes part to enjoy a fun group activity. Families are then welcome to enjoy the RiverFest event on their own.

Click here to register!

Date: Sunday, September 29th, 2024

Time: 9:30am-12:00pm

Location: Fraser River Discovery Centre

This venue is accessible by transit and there are washrooms onsite.

Parking around the Centre is highly restricted due to ongoing construction, and is limited to paid parking lots. The nearest lots are at the Anvil Centre (777 Columbia Street) and the Inn at the Quay (900 Quayside Drive). Paid street parking is also available on Front Street.

Kamloops Trailblazer ATV/SXS Club members and members of ATVBC are invited on an ATV and SxS ride to the Pinantan Lake lookout to see the spectacular views of the Thompson River to celebrate and build public awareness for British Columbia’s waterways and bring awareness to outdoor recreation, waterway protection and environmental stewardship.

Please bring an electric chainsaw to help with any trail cleanup that maybe required on the route. Waivers will need to be signed.

Email travel.blinston@gmail.com for inquiries.

Join NatureKids Qualicum for an outing that will focus on streams and salmon. It will include data gathering, restoration and walking through Heritage Forest.

Date: Wednesday, September 25th, 2024

Time: 3:30pm – 5:00pm

Location: Heritage Forest, Qualicum Beach 

To register email qualicum@naturekidsbc.ca

Join Michele Archie, Harbinger Consultancy, to learn about the soon-to-be-released Conducting and Using Visitor and Recreational User Research Do-It-Yourself Guide and Toolkit developed with support from ORCBC and other partners. 

After this 60-minute webinar, you will:

• Be familiar with the guide and the resources it provides to support low-cost, DIY research.

• Understand how to make a research plan that fits your organization, situation and resources.

• Know what information you need to collect if you want to estimate the economic impact of your trails and outdoor recreation.

Michele Archie is principal of The Harbinger Consultancy, a firm based in the U.S. Rocky Mountain Western region. Michele leads Harbinger’s work in community and regional economic analysis, outdoor recreation, and community-based education and tourism.

The Outdoor Recreation Council of BC is a non-profit organization. These webinars are free, thanks to the support of our generous donors and sponsors. If you would like to support our work, consider donating or get in touch about sponsorship opportunities.

Join Adams River Salmon Society as we welcome visitors back into Tsútswecw Provincial Park.

We will have interpretive booths, tree planting, free guided walks and education session on the Salmon, the river and the land that we call home. Our Interpretive Cabin will be open where you can pop in and learn about the lifecycle of the Salmon in Adams River and pick up some branded merchandise.

Everyone is welcome! Donations accepted and appreciated.

Join the Stewardship Pemberton Society in celebrating BC River's Day on Sunday, September 22nd , from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the One Mile Lake Nature Centre! This family-friendly event is packed with activities for all ages:

- Enjoy a self-guided walk through our native plant garden.
- Take part in Salmon and river-themed crafting for kids.
- Enjoy children's story-time (river & salmon themed) and a tour of our Nature Centre.
-Check out our amazing watershed model and learn facts about our local watershed.
-Enjoy hot chocolate and, tasty treats by donation.


Come celebrate and learn about our rivers with your family and community!

Friends of Kootenay Lake Stewardship Society will be hosting an event to remove garbage and debris from Cottonwood Creek in Nelson, BC. In part, this project will support Living Lakes Canada's future fish habitat restoration project.

Organizer: https://www.friendsofkootenaylake.ca/

Join us for a day of education and celebration of Burnaby's streams, rivers and wildlife habitats. Burnaby Village Museum hosts a day of fun for all ages, with over 15 environmental community groups, performers and Indigenous Educators.

The Rivers Day event offers individuals and families an opportunity to learn about our rivers and the many benefits they provide to us, such as clean water, spawning salmon, historic trade, exploration routes, connection with the Snuneymuxw First Nation Community and as a place to play.

Join us for fun, family friendly activities and visit information booths, focusing on water, rivers, fishing, and how they all connect in nature. Live music and food truck on site.

Organizer: City of Nanaimo

Come out to celebrate our beautiful creeks on the Sunshine Coast! We will have lots of fun family activities and work planned on enhancing the riparian area removing ivy and replacing with planting native plants!! See more info coming soon!

Bring the family to Williams Park and stroll the banks of the Salmon River while visiting interactive community booths to learn about water, nature and environmental action.

Langley's World Rivers Day event is the kickoff to WaterWeeks 2024. From September 22 to October 26, a series of events will take place, designed to encourage active community engagement in local environmental stewardship. Explore, engage and experience the best of Langley’s natural environment! For details visit https://leps.bc.ca/calendar

In celebration of World Rivers Day, the Museum at Campbell River presents the Haig-Brown Festival on September 22. This community event pays tribute to the lasting impact of Roderick Haig-Brown and Ann Elmore, whose remarkable contributions span environmental conservation, literature, community service, and fishing. The festival endeavors to enrich guests’ understanding of and engagement with these themes, fostering a deeper connection to the community through new knowledge and immersive experiences. 

Visitors to the festival can do a variety of engaging activities including:

• Trying their hand at fly-casting.

• Immersing themselves in readings from Roderick Haig-Brown’s conservation works at 12:30 & 1:15pm in the study of the house.

• Joining community herbalist Anita Murdoch for a plant identification walk that examines the healing properties of plants found on the grounds of the Haig-Brown Property. Walk leaves at 11:30am from the festival.

• Shopping the artisan market of locally crafted goods.

Schedule & Features

11:00 – Festival Opens
11:30 – Plant identification walk that examines the healing properties of plants found on the grounds of the Haig-Brown Property. 
12:30 & 1:15  Reading from works of Roderick Haig-Brown. In the study of the house.
1:30 – Stewardship Awards
3:00 – Festival Closes

Other Highlights:
Other highlights include textile demonstrations by Midnight Shuttles, an art station hosted by Crow’s Nest Artist Collective, fish printing with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and wildlife interactions courtesy of MARS with an ambassador bird. Additionally, Greenways Land Trust will showcase their initiatives, alongside Wild Wise, Campbell River and North Island Transition Society, and Quadra Island Salmon Enhancement Society. 

Live music by the Awakeneers will add to the atmosphere, and the Campbell River Arts Council will facilitate plein-air painting sessions across the festival and feature works by Shawn Decaire, the Walter Morgan Artist in Residence.

Learn more.

Join the Coquitlam Watershed Society to celebrate BC Rivers Day on Sunday, September 22 from 11:00 am to 2 pm.

Participants will receive a traditional welcome, may plant a new shrub in the Rain Garden, and view the preliminary mural designs on the adjacent field house.

Volunteers are asked to bring shovels and gloves, but limited equipment will also be provided. Please also bring a water bottle. Lions Park is located at 2300 Lions Way in Port Coquitlam, BC.

Get in touch at outreach@coquitlamriverwatershed.ca to volunteer!

The Annual Ridge Meadows Rivers Day event is on September 22, 2024 from 11:00am – 1:30pm. hosted by the Alouette River Management Society.   This event celebrates BC Rivers Day and World Rivers Day which is held on the 4th Sunday in September every year. This year’s event will be focused on cleaning up the Alouette River and removing litter, while also celebrating Adopt A Block’s 10th Birthday.

Join us for a fun-filled day along the Alouette River at Silver Bridge in Pitt Meadows! We are hosting our Annual Rivers Day event, celebrating the beauty and importance of our local rivers. Enjoy educational activities, interactive exhibits, and a litter clean up along the trails and river. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn about river conservation and restoration efforts while connecting with nature. Don’t miss out on this exciting event!

When: Sunday, September 22nd 11am-1:30pm

Where: Silver Bridge, Pitt Meadows

Join us for BC Rivers Day in Port Hardy, BC, on September 22, 2024, from 10:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the beautiful Quatse River Hatchery! This family-friendly event is packed with activities for all ages:

- Guided Trail and Riverside Walk: Explore the natural beauty of Quatse River with a knowledgeable biologist.
- Craft/Art Station for Children: Let the little ones unleash their creativity with fish-themed crafts and artwork.
- Live Music: Enjoy performances from local musician, Chad Matthews.
- BBQ and Beverages: Savor delicious BBQ and refreshing beverages by donation. (*all proceeds go to the Salmon Centre)
- Tour of the Salmon Centre: Discover the fascinating world of salmon and their habitat.
- Photography Contest: We encourage attendees to capture the beauty of the Quatse River and its surroundings. Prizes will be awarded for the best photos in various categories.
- Fish Dissection: Witness a fascinating fish dissection demonstration and learn about fish anatomy and biology.

Come celebrate and learn about our rivers with your family and community!

The Elk River Alliance–a local environmental charity–is asking the Elk Valley community to come together and help ensure a clean river for generations to come. The event will be held on Sunday, September 22nd in honour of World Rivers Day. Stations will be setup in Fernie, Sparwood, and Elkford where participants will be provided with all necessary cleanup materials and snacks. We recommend bringing weather appropriate clothing for the day and a water bottle.

Sunday September 22nd is BC Rivers Day… and also World Rivers Day! Wildsight Invermere will be joining the Lake Windermere Ambassadors and Columbia River Paddle, let’s celebrate with a group paddle down the Columbia River from Invermere to Radium. We will meet at the Athalmer boat launch at 10am with pickup in Radium at 2pm (Forsters Landing Road at the bridge).

Columbia River Paddle are again offering a generous discount for this annual event – $60/person to hire a canoe, double or single kayak, including shuttle back to Athalmer. Or if you have your own boat you can book the shuttle for $25/person. To book a boat or shuttle for this event please EMAIL ONLY to paddle@columbiariverpaddle.com.

Or you can bring your own boat and safety gear and organise your own pickup.

Please also register here so we know to expect you!

Note this is not a guided trip. You are responsible for ensuring your own safety and Wildsight Invermere will not be held responsible for any incident.

Location:
Meet Athalmer boat launch (Columbia River Paddle office) at 10am. Pickup at 2pm from Radium (Forsters Landing Road at the bridge)

Learn more.

To celebrate BC Rivers Day the Seymour Salmonid Society hosts a clean-up and replanting event at the river mouth (estuary).

Each year, with help from the River’s Institute at British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), Metro Vancouver, students and volunteers from the Society, a considerable volume of replanting and cleanup work is accomplished. A large volume of invasive plant species are also removed and replaced with native shrubs and tree species, while many bags of trash are also removed from the site.

The beautiful Seymour River needs our help to be able to maintain healthy populations of fish and other species that it supports. Please come make a small but meaningful impact on your local environment.  Everyone is welcome to join. If you can, please bring your own mask, work gloves and any other tools that could help with the clean-up.

Alberni Valley Rivers Day event is a community event, where a number of local non-profits and governments organizations get together to host a fun, educational event for families in the Alberni Valley to learn about salmon, our waterways, environment, wildlife, and more. Interactive booths and activities are on-site, as well as concession! There will be a shuttle running between the hall and Stamp Falls part for attendees.

Family Watershed Day aims to inform and educate residents of the Comox Valley about the importance of healthy streams and forests to provide healthy habitats for aquatic and other life in the watersheds of our community. This is the 3rd event of this nature which started in 2022 and has grown in popularity since then.

This year, 8 partners of the Comox Valley Conservation Partnership, all ecological minded societies will set-up a canopy tent featuring special topics and we will provide tips about what one can do to help preserve and restore healthy ecosystems.

A special "Kid's Zone" will attract younger generations .

Organizer: Millard Piercy Watersherd Stewards

Learn more: https://powertobe.ca/have-a-go-days/

This free event is open to families. Power to BC asks that all children and youth be accompanied by an adult support as our Power To Be staff will be busy ensuring everyone is enjoying the different activities. If your youth will be attending with an adult who is not their guardian, the guardian will need to print and sign our Informed Consent ahead of time.

Co-hosted by Cowichan Tribes and the Cowichan Stewardship Roundtable we are spending the day on Cowichan Tribes land at an ancient fishing spot. Over 25 booths will have First Nations, environmental groups, industry, local govt, DFO, Cowichan Tribes and many more providing fun interactive activities. The day will open with Quw'utsun elder, John George, greeting us in Hul'q'umi'num', our first language. Tzinquaw Dancers will dance to open and close the day. Birds of prey, a fish seine, nature walk and a medicine walk will be activities one can attend. Highlight is lunch of sockeye salmon prepared over an open fire. Fresh fry bread and locally crafted goodies are all part of the hospitality of the day. Come and join us in a day of celebrating our Sta'lo'. Free.

More info at: cowichanstewardship.com/riversday