Outdoor Recreation Council of British Columbia

Green Jobs Funding Opportunity 🌿 The Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA_ACPL) Green Jobs Initiative is now accepting applications! This program provides 50% wage subsidies to help local governments, Indigenous communities, and sector organizations create meaningful green job placements for youth. By supporting nearly 140 jobs, this initiative empowers young people, fosters environmental stewardship, and helps build a sustainable future for our communities. 🗓 Deadline to apply: Friday, April 11, 2025 Learn more & apply: https://lnkd.in/eCyYyVeE 📸: Squamish River Watershed Society

Say hello to ORCBC’s newest member, The Fishing Highway Tourist Association! 👋 Representing tourism businesses along the scenic Highway 24 corridor, this dedicated group helps bring outdoor recreation to life in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region of BC. The association supports local businesses and organizes beloved events like the Sheridan Lake Ice Fishing Derby and the Lone Butte Outhouse Races. Members also contribute to conservation through the LakeKeepers project, monitoring water quality in partnership with the Lake Stewardship Society of BC. They played a key role in developing and now maintaining the Ice Caves Trail at Bridge Lake—home to Indigenous artwork, fitness stations, a public fishing dock, and natural ice caves. Their latest initiative? Restoring historic hiking and horseback trails and expanding them for multi-use recreation, including mountain biking and ATVing. We’re thrilled to welcome them to the ORCBC community! 🤝 https://lnkd.in/gDCMM5sz

Outdoor Recreation Fund of BC: Project Update! 🌿 The Simpcw First Nation has successfully enhanced its trail network in Chu Chua, improving safety, accessibility, and cultural connection for community members and visitors. The project focused on trail clearing, rebuilding wooden features, and installing culturally appropriate signage, ensuring the trails remain safe, welcoming, and reflective of Simpcw heritage. 👏 20 km of trails upgraded 👏 4 existing wood features rebuilt, 2 new features added 👏 7 new cultural and educational signs installed 👏 Supported reconnection between Simpcw youth and their traditional lands By providing opportunities to upgrade the Simpcw First Nation trails and fostering reconnections to the trails amongst their youth and community members, this project supports and fosters reconciliation through decolonizing trails and outdoor recreation. "Clearing the trails and rebuilding the wood features on our trails has really helped to make them safer. We see way more youth and people out using the trails, walking and riding. Makes my heart feel proud." — Tom Eustache, Project Coordinator A massive thanks to Simpcw First Nation and the volunteers who made this project a success!

New Blog: Recreation as Reconciliation 🌿 How can outdoor recreation foster meaningful reconciliation? Our latest blog explores the journey of SORCA - Squamish Off-Road Cycling Association and the Squamish Nation—from a misstep to a landmark Memorandum of Understanding that formalized their shared commitment to stewardship and self-determination. This blog is the first in a new series on the benefits of outdoor recreation for people, communities, and the province. Read the new piece to learn how trust, dialogue, and respect built a model for other outdoor groups. https://lnkd.in/gvdnZx5D

🚨 Request for Proposal: Tumbler Ridge Trails & Destination Management Strategy 🏔️ The District of Tumbler Ridge, in partnership with TRORA - Tumbler Ridge Outdoor Recreation Association, is seeking proposals from qualified consultants to develop a Trails & Destination Management Strategy that will enhance our outdoor recreation assets and support sustainable tourism growth. 📅 Start Date for Submissions: March 17, 2025 📅 Deadline for Submissions: April 7, 2025 Tumbler Ridge is home to an incredible network of hiking, biking, and motorized trails, along with our UNESCO Global Geopark designation. This strategy will guide the future development, maintenance, and promotion of these assets, ensuring they remain a key driver for tourism and community well-being. Interested firms can find full details in the RFP document here: https://lnkd.in/g7Xshg-N We welcome innovative and experienced teams to submit their proposals. Please share this opportunity with your network! #TumblerRidge #TrailsDevelopment #DestinationManagement #TourismPlanning #OutdoorRecreation #EconomicDevelopment #RFP

📣 Upcoming webinar! 📣 What happened in Jasper and Los Angeles shows that forest fires can impact any community. The time to prepare and mitigate the risk is now. As the stewards of the urban-wildland interface, forest fire mitigation and disaster preparation is something the outdoor recreation community is uniquely positioned and experienced to take on. What that can look like is the topic of the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC’s April webinar. In a one-hour panel discussion, we will unpack the importance of preparation and mitigation, how recreation groups can get involved, possible funding sources and more. Our speakers are ideally suited to the conversation. John Paolozzi is the communications officer for Wildfire Prevention with the BC Wildfire Service. He will speak about Fire Smart activities and provincial funding for mitigation projects. Kevin Kriese is the past chair of the Forest Practices Board, a wildfire resilience consultant and the trail coordinator with the Bulkley Valley Cross Country Ski Club, where he has worked on fuel treatment projects. Anyone interested in helping their community become more forest fire resilient will leave the meeting with valuable insights and information. We hope you can join us. Register in advance: https://lnkd.in/gXvZqXCt

ORCBC is Looking for Trail Champions – Can You Help? 🌿🤝 When you think of BC Trails Day, what businesses come to mind? Maybe it’s your local trail consultants, the chainsaw powering your trail work, the hiking boots you always recommend, or the maker of those well-earned post-adventure bevvies. We want to know! We’re looking for sponsors to help power community-led trail events across the province on June 7th! Sponsorship fuels our micro-grant program—funding stewardship projects, trail maintenance, and education initiatives that keep BC’s trails healthy and accessible. Know a business, brand, or organization that belongs in the BC Trails Day community? 👇Tag them below and help connect them with an opportunity to support trails, engage with outdoor enthusiasts, and be part of something bigger. Every tag gets you entered into a draw to win an ORCBC toque. Let’s make the 5th annual event the best one yet! #BCTrailsDay #BCTrailsDay2025 #TrailChampion #ExploreBC #Stewardship

Trails across BC saw a surge in use during the pandemic, highlighting their importance for recreation, tourism, and community well-being. Yet, groups like North Shore Mountain Bike Association are stretched thin with limited funding and volunteer support. This article explores the challenges trail stewards face and how a new trail-use study led by Mountain Biking BC aims to gather data on who is using trails, how they’re being used, and why sustainable funding is urgently needed. As demand continues to rise, it’s time for decision-makers to step up and invest in the trails we all rely on. Read more and join the call for better trail funding: https://lnkd.in/gSViW-P7

Outdoor Recreation Fund of BC: Project Update! 🥾 Hope Mountain Centre for Outdoor Learning has successfully restored the HBC (1849) Heritage Trail, repairing four bridges damaged by the 2021 atmospheric river and improving 74 km of trail to ensure safe access for hikers, horseback riders, and history enthusiasts. To celebrate the trail’s reopening, Hope Mountain Centre hosted a free, educational, self-guided hiking event on BC Trails Day, featuring guest speakers who shared knowledge about the trail’s historical and cultural significance. The project also advanced reconciliation efforts, with Chief Norm Florence of Chawathil First Nation delivering a land acknowledgment and speaking about the deep cultural significance of the land. Chawathil drummers also marked the occasion with a special performance. 👏 Thank you Hope Mountain Centre, volunteers, and partners for your dedication to preserving this historic trail!

PacifiCan has announced over $4.8 million in funding to boost tourism and outdoor recreation in BC! 🌿 This investment supports trails, accessibility, and sustainability across the province. Huge congratulations to ORCBC members Tourism Fernie, Qathet Regional Cycling Association, Squamish Off-Road Cycling Association and Fraser Valley Mountain Bikers Association for securing funding to expand and enhance BC’s trails and outdoor experiences! We’re excited to see this support for sustainable tourism and inclusive outdoor opportunities. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gQjJqvTq 📸: Qathet Regional Cycling Association