New research illustrates the local environmental, social, and economic impacts of outdoor recreation for BC communities
Destination BC | Jordan Dyck
Many residents and visitors of British Columbia alike recognize the unique experiences and immense value that outdoor recreation has to offer in B.C. For some time, the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC (ORCBC) has wondered what that value is? How can it be described? And how can it be measured?
In the last two years, ORCBC began investigating those questions by gathering existing research and speaking to stakeholders within the provincial government, tourism, recreation and academia. It soon became clear that data and research on outdoor recreation participation, the economic values and non-market values, is long overdue.
Since then, the province commenced new research that gathered provincial data on participation and its economic value, which is expected to be released in the near future. To complement provincial data collection, ORCBC began to look closer at the local impacts of outdoor recreation.
ORCBC started new research that asked, “What are the impacts of outdoor recreation for rural B.C. communities?” It looked at Burns Lake, Fernie, Revelstoke, Squamish and Tofino as cases of communities with well-known outdoor recreation sectors to investigate local impacts. ORCBC conducted twenty-five semi-structured interviews with practitioners such as land managers, economic development officers, and leaders of outdoor recreation groups, among other roles. The interviews explored economic, community, environmental, and equity topics.
Interviewees shared an abundance of experiences and stories, all of which were put together in the final research report, titled The Impacts of Outdoor Recreation in Rural B.C. Communities. This article will share four key lessons learned from the interviews.
1. Outdoor recreation connects people to nature
Overwhelmingly, interviewees described the personal and community value of outdoor recreation and the benefits of easy access to outdoor recreation opportunities in their communities. The interviews also illustrated how participating in outdoor recreation can lead to environmental awareness or action. Environmental stewardship by outdoor recreationists is further enhanced as they join organized groups where they learn more about environmental topics, can connect to others with similar interests, and where they can organize to voice their concerns.
2. Outdoor recreation creates economic opportunities
Outdoor recreation is a selling point for the communities. It helps attract residents, visitors and businesses. It is also used as an economic diversification strategy which helps make rural communities more resilient. Interviewees were quick to identify businesses that relied on outdoor recreation. For example, bike shops, outdoor recreation stores, company headquarters, tourism, and even food and beverage industries were all mentioned as benefitting or existing because of their communities’ outdoor recreation opportunities.
3. Outdoor recreation is part of community culture and identity
In the interviews, it was common to hear the sentiment, “Outdoor recreation is part of our community.” Interviewees often linked their community culture and identity to outdoor recreation. For instance, outdoor recreation groups can play a role in the community’s social culture by creating opportunities for social interaction and connection. This was especially significant in the smallest communities where infrastructure (such as community spaces) can be limited. Outdoor recreation offers a low-cost or free space for residents to gather, socialize, exercise and enjoy nature.
4. Outdoor recreation overuse threatens environmental, community, and cultural values if left unchecked
The interviews also warned of the threats that outdoor recreation can cause if left unmonitored and unmanaged. Namely, concerns centred around the misuse of outdoor spaces due to a lack of knowledge or respect from users, around the overuse of outdoor spaces due to too many people, and around the ability of rural communities to manage the effects with limited resources. When not enough resources are available for monitoring, management, and planning, communities are left to do their best. Often, volunteers join the effort to educate, maintain and protect outdoor spaces. Yet, the load can still be overwhelming. It leads to closures, wildlife conflicts, waste, unsanctioned trails, the destruction of sacred Indigenous sites or other environmental or cultural impacts. However, interview evidence suggests that the negative impacts may be greatly minimised or mitigated if the correct support is in place. Unfortunately often those that are best suited to offer the best support are land managers (such as RSTBC, BC Parks or Indigenous Guardians) who are critically under-resourced.
Overall, the research illustrates the economic, social and environmental impacts of outdoor recreation for communities. Benefits and opportunities exist because outdoor spaces and their associated values are actively cared for by community members. However, the capacity to care for places is limited and can be surpassed, which may lead to negative impacts. The impacts, challenges and opportunities faced by communities are explored in depth in the new research report, which you may read in full here.
