In recent years, the provincial government has rolled out a bewildering alphabet soup of agreements, frameworks and policies: land, water and marine planning, cumulative effects assessments, old growth reviews, managing for ecosystem health, biodiversity commitments, tripartite cooperation, conservation finance, plus so many acronyms (UNDRIP, MLUP, IPCAs, FRPA). It’s all part of a dramatic shift in how lands and waters are managed in B.C.

“Critical lack of volunteers…” “Not-for-profit struggling to recruit…” “Fewer people giving money and time.” It’s a trend mirrored by what the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC hears from many of its members. It’s why we hosted a webinar in December focused on recruiting and retaining volunteers. But the webinar’s three panellists had an alternative take on the crisis.

2023 was a landmark year for recreation in B.C. The provincial government enabled a $10-million Outdoor Recreation Fund, managed by the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC. Recreation Sites and Trails BC was moved into the same ministry as BC Parks. The provincial budget included $71-million in funding for recreation infrastructure, including $3.6 million in accessibility projects.

The law of the forest is changing and, when it comes to recreation, it’s for the better. Rather than forestry companies at the steering wheel, the provincial government has amended the Forests and Range Practices Act to better reflect the interests of nearby communities.

“Don’t love it to death.” It is a rallying cry echoing across B.C. that translates to a realization that the way we attract visitors and steer their behaviour needs to change. In the Sea to Sky Region, the call for a paradigm shift is literal. 

Global warming is changing how and when we play. Without a proactive response, we’re setting ourselves up for an unpleasant surprise.

Over the last several months of research, interviews and writing about how different recreation-oriented groups are preparing, mitigating and adapting to climate change, there is one question I haven’t asked or answered. It may be the most important point. 

Wolverines could be the token animal for backcountry skiers. They thrive in cold and inhospitable places, gravitate to wild mountains with few humans, and the females, in particular, prefer north-facing terrain during the winter.