What we do.

 

6ix Sigma Productions photo

At the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC, we work to protect and enhance access to nature for everyone, while promoting responsible and inclusive recreation across British Columbia.

To achieve this, we focus on three key areas:

We advocate for access and promote stewardship

We speak up for the rights of all British Columbians to enjoy the outdoors responsibly. We work with governments, Indigenous communities, and partners to shape policies and practices that protect access to public lands and waters, and promote recreation that respects the land and those who steward it.

We support community and Indigenous leadership

We strengthen the capacity of local and volunteer-led outdoor recreation groups with training, resources, and tools. We also support Indigenous-led stewardship and recognize that meaningful reconciliation means sharing decision-making and building respectful, long-term relationships with Indigenous communities across BC.

We connect people to collaborate and take action.

We bring together diverse voices from snowmobilers to hikers to government and First Nations to tackle shared challenges and find common ground. Through events, regional gatherings, and education campaigns, we help outdoor communities work better together, solve problems, and strengthen the collective impact of outdoor recreation in BC.

 

Fernie Trails Alliance

Cross Country BC photo

 

Issues We Work On

At ORCBC, we focus on the most pressing issues facing outdoor recreation in BC. Together with our members, we advocate for policies and funding that protect access, support volunteers, and ensure BC's recreation systems can thrive for future generations.

Supporting volunteers

  • Advocating for funding and training opportunities, including

  • Providing educational opportunities through best practices guides, resources and webinars on topics such as governance, volunteer management, Indigenous relations, fundraising, and stewardship

  • Working to reduce red tape and administrative burdens for nonprofit groups

Strengthening capacity

  • Advocating for a collaborative provincial outdoor recreation strategy and funding for implementation

  • Speaking up during budget consultations for increased provincial investment in BC’s outdoor recreation agencies

Protecting access

  • Responding to emerging access concerns in collaboration with our members

  • Engaging governments and land managers to improve transparency around closures

  • Advocating for public involvement in access-related decisions

Recreation in planning

  • The meaningful inclusion of recreation in land use, resource management, and conservation planning processes

  • Promoting stronger involvement and engagement of recreation groups and Indigenous partners

  • Sharing tools and examples to support integrated planning

Measuring and tracking impact

  • Calling for ongoing data collection on the economic, environmental, and social benefits of recreation

  • Sharing research and case studies that highlight the sector’s value

  • Encouraging government and partners to invest in recreation-informed planning

Join Us

Whether you're maintaining trails, running a recreation club, working on policy, or simply love exploring BC’s outdoors, you belong here. As a member, donor, or volunteer, you’ll join a growing movement that believes in responsible recreation, environmental stewardship, and stronger, more connected communities.