Every month, the society leads regular maintenance sessions to ensure the trails and surrounding natural spaces remain in good condition. The new fund provides reliable and consistent access to grants for groups, such as the Southern Vancouver Island Nature Trails Society.Įstablished in 2015, the society has approximately 40 volunteers who have spent thousands of hours working on trail projects in the Greater Victoria region. Many organizations also support trails outside of formal agreements. Nearly 500 individuals, recreation organizations and Indigenous communities have formal agreements with the Province to maintain trails and associated facilities. We are exceptionally grateful that the Province has stepped up with a substantial contribution that will allow the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC to establish the new Outdoor Recreation Fund.” “For far too long, these volunteer groups have struggled to access reliable funding sources for activities, such as ongoing trail maintenance to improve the overall visitor experience and protect the environment. “The construction and maintenance of a large portion of B.C.’s trails and recreation infrastructure rely on the hard work of hundreds of community-based recreation clubs and thousands of dedicated volunteers,” said Louise Pedersen, executive director, ORCBC. Their members help maintain more than 20% of B.C.’s trails (8,500 kilometres) annually. ORCBC also delivers educational programs that foster responsible outdoor practices and is active in conservation, outreach and safety initiatives. The Outdoor Recreation Council of BC is a non-profit umbrella organization representing approximately 70 outdoor recreation clubs and associations that construct and maintain trails and recreation sites, and organizes events and trips for their members and the public. These services enhance our outdoor experiences and contribute to the emotional, physical and mental well-being of British Columbians.”

“The new Outdoor Recreation Fund will provide a boost to the volunteer organizations and community groups that are integral to delivering quality outdoor recreation experiences. “The surging interest in outdoor recreation not only continues to put a strain on volunteer organizations and B.C.’s trail networks, but also on local recreation groups that collaborate with provincial agencies, such as Recreation Sites and Trails BC, to manage and maintain these valuable community assets,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. The Province is providing a one-time grant of $10 million to the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC (ORCBC) to establish a new endowment fund that will improve and enhance outdoor recreation for people in B.C.

Department of speculation