We want you to love your experience outdoors.
Steve Shannon Photography
The Outdoor Recreation Council of BC (ORCBC) is a charitable organization that serves as an umbrella group for over 100 outdoor recreation associations and organizations across the province, representing the public interest. Since 1976, we have been advocating for outdoor enthusiasts, safeguarding vital natural spaces for recreation, and ensuring that everyone can enjoy BC's great outdoors.
We work with our members, government agencies, First Nations, other organizations, and the public to support outdoor activities that benefit people, local communities and the natural environment.
These are some of the key priorities of ORCBC to support and enhance outdoor recreation in the province:
Protect and enhance outdoor recreational opportunities, including parks, trails, and waterways.
Collaborate with government, non-profits, and stakeholders on recreation policies and strategies.
Partner with Indigenous communities to promote access to traditional lands and support Indigenous-led recreation.
Advocate for increased funding for outdoor recreation infrastructure, programs, capacity-building and nonprofit efforts.
Engage in outreach and education to promote access, inclusivity, collaboration and environmental stewardship.
Vancouver Island Dirt Riders Association photo
Our Mission
We advocate for access to and promote the responsible use of BC’s outdoors for public recreation while building bridges between our diverse membership.
Our Vision
Recreation and outdoor places are valued as essential to healthy individuals and vibrant communities, and that every British Columbian has access to meaningful outdoor recreation experiences.
Our Values & Principles
Indigenous Reconciliation
We acknowledge Indigenous rights and title and support increasing the capacity of Indigenous peoples in BC to steward their lands and waters as key to the future of healthy ecosystems, communities and respectful recreation.
Accountability
We are accountable for our actions, and our processes are open and transparent.
Respect and Diversity
We promote respect and aspire to represent the diversity of the British Columbia population.
Environmental Sustainability
We value BC’s outdoor places for their intrinsic ecological, social and cultural values and promote actions to keep them healthy.
collaboration
We collaborate with our members, partners, various levels of government including Indigenous governments, and outdoor recreation users to support our common mission. We convene, amplify and lead.
Resiliency
We adapt to new realities, pursue new opportunities and explore promising approaches.
Our Team
Louise Pedersen
Executive Director
Louise joined the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC in 2019 with a strong commitment to expanding the organization’s impact and supporting the long-term sustainability of outdoor recreation in British Columbia. She holds a Master’s degree in Natural Resource Management and a postgraduate diploma in Public Relations.
Louise brings experience in communications, stakeholder engagement, and philanthropy, having worked with leading nature and conservation organizations in both Canada and the UK.
louisepedersen@orcbc.ca
Tomke Augustin
Grant Program Manager
Tomke plays a key role in advancing the Outdoor Recreation Fund and its many impactful projects across the province. She holds a PhD in international management and has a track record of grant writing and advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in research, higher education and the outdoor sector. She originally moved to BC for its famous mountain biking and has since explored the lands and waters also through hiking, camping, trail running and skiing.
grants@orcbc.ca
Nathan Wilson
Youth Engagement Coordinator
Nathan is currently studying Tourism Management at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops. He brings experience in community engagement, tourism, and research. He volunteered with Tourism Kamloops and worked as a Research Assistant, helping build strong communication, organizational, and outreach skills along the way. Nathan joins ORCBC as the inaugural Youth Engagement Coordinator.
When he’s not working or studying, Nathan enjoys hiking, playing tennis, and recently took up skiing this past season.
youth@orcbc.ca
Ryan Stuart
Community Engagement Lead
As a freelance writer, Ryan contributes to many of the top outdoor magazines and websites in Canada and the U.S. His favourite assignments combine adventure sports, responsible recreation and environmental sustainability, so writing for ORCBC was a perfect fit. He has been contributing blog posts and articles covering everything from Indigenous relations to trail funding advocacy since 2021. When he’s not writing from his home office on Vancouver Island, you will find him skiing, surfing, mountain biking, paddling, climbing and running.
ryanstuart@orcbc.ca
Jenna Semenoff
Communications & Brand Manager
Jenna is our Communications & Brand Manager and served as Event Coordinator for the 2026 ORCBC Conference. A graphic designer and marketer specializing in the bike industry since 2012, she brings experience in branding, storytelling, and visual communications.
Based in the Slocan Valley, Jenna can often be found gardening on her farm, skiing, or exploring local hiking networks.
jennasemenoff@orcbc.ca
Kaelen Coles-Lyster
Community Relations & Administrative Coordinator
Kaelen loves being outside! Whether it is hiking, mountain biking or bike racing, her days revolve around when she can be out in nature. Kaelen is based in Maple Ridge and recently graduated from Simon Fraser University with a degree in Sustainable Business. Her background includes working with non-profit organizations and is currently the Operations Manager of a mountain bike association. She brings to the ORCBC experience in administrative work, social media and event planning and is excited to start her career with the ORCBC.
community@orcbc.ca
Board of Directors & Advisory Members - 2026-27
Members of the Board of Directors are elected at the Annual General Meeting, which usually takes place in June each year. All board minutes from the past 12 months are posted here.
ERic Vanderkruk
Chair
Columbia Valley Greenways Trail Alliance
Ciel Sander
Vice-Chair
Trails Society of BC
Ken Matthews
Treasurer
Back Country Horsemen of BC
Kristy Jahn
Secretary
Mountain Biking BC
rod clapton
Director
BC Federation of Drift Fishers
Doug BracketT
Director
BC Snowmobile Federation
Evangeline Clifton
Director
Háiɫzaqvsv T̓áT̓ ilágila - Heiltsuk Trail Makers
Sharon Pickthorne
Director
Horse Council BC
ADAM Steele
Director
Federation of Mountain Clubs
Jane Miedzinski
Director
Tumbler Ridge Outdoor Recreation Association
Wayne mercer
Past Chair, ex officio
Mark Angelo
Advisor (rivers and salmon) & BC Rivers Chair
BC Rivers Institute (Chair Emeritus)
Mel turner
Advisor (parks and protected areas)