News & features.
Destination BC | Sherpa Cinemas
Getting ahead of the electric buzz
As electric mountain bikes grow in popularity, confusion over regulations and rising motor power threaten trail sustainability, safety, and user harmony. A new working group—bringing together land managers, clubs, and industry partners—seeks to clarify e-bike classifications, update policies, and promote responsible riding to protect the future of mountain biking.
2026 conference - call for speakers extended
We’re gearing up for Building Stronger Communities Through Outdoor Recreation, a multi-day conference hosted by the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC from May 20–22, 2026, at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops.
New contract opportunity: Social media freelancer
ORCBC is looking for a creative social media freelancer to help share the stories, partnerships, and impact of outdoor recreation across British Columbia. This part-time, remote contract ($1,500/month) involves creating engaging posts, short videos, and visuals for Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Building a better Trout Town. Fernie’s fishing fix
Tourism Fernie is redefining destination marketing by funding outdoor recreation infrastructure with visitor dollars. Through initiatives like the Elk River Infrastructure and Amenity Project and AmbassadorWILD, they’re improving river access, supporting sustainable tourism, and ensuring Fernie’s “Trout Town” reputation is backed by well-managed, world-class fishing and recreation opportunities.
When B.C. backs outdoor gear makers, everyone wins
BC’s outdoor gear makers are rooted in the landscapes where their products are tested. With provincial support, this growing sector could deliver strong economic returns, good jobs, and alignment with government priorities.
BC Rivers Day turns 45 with community events across the province
Celebrate BC Rivers Day on Sunday, September 28, with over 55 events across the province. From river clean-ups to shoreline restoration, guided paddles to arts festivals, communities are uniting under the theme Rivers Connect Us.
Trails that do it all: Where active transportation meets outdoor recreation
Across BC, trails are blurring the line between transportation and recreation. They connect communities, boost health, reduce carbon, and draw visitors, proving a simple pathway can be a commuter route, playground, and tourism engine.
Grow money from trees. Investing in outdoor recreation addresses budget committee priorities
Outdoor recreation transforms rural economies, boosts health, and attracts professionals, yet Budget 2026 overlooks its potential. Investing in trails, parks, and community projects can revitalize towns like Valemount while advancing government health, climate, and economic priorities.
ORCBC Story Series
This new series focuses on the many benefits – some well known, many less so – that outdoor recreation brings to people, communities and the province. .
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From access to nature to apps and AI, the evolution of trail construction to electric power, this story series looks at how recreation will change and evolve over the short and long term.
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In this story series, we feature recreation organizations that are advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples through trail and outdoor recreation projects.
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This story series explores the connection between climate change and recreation. Through conversations with scientists, advocates, land managers, recreationists, and more, we look at how a warming world and more extreme weather is impacting the activities we love. But more than glum news, we’re interested in how the recreation industry is already hard at work preparing for change, reducing the impacts, and actively trying to slow global warming.
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In a time when trails, roads, campgrounds, rivers and lakes are busier than ever, it’s important to remember that it takes a community to make fun possible. This story series profiles the people who work behind the scenes in B.C., so you can have that special moment today.