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British Columbians Worry About Busy and Understaffed Parks This Summer
June 13, 2022
Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Territories / Vancouver, BC – As hot and sunny weekends arrive across the province, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, British Columbia Chapter (CPAWS-BC) surveyed British Columbians about what their expectations are as they visit BC provincial parks this summer. The results illustrated an enthusiasm to get out into nature this summer, as well as concerns about overcrowding and not enough staff in provincial parks.
“We share the concerns of park users. A long-term lack of resources for BC Parks has created problems with accessibility, wildlife conflicts, and failing infrastructure inside our parks,” said Kristina Charania, Conservation Coordinator at CPAWS-BC. “Nature supports our health in every way, and it should be made a priority in every corner of the province.”
Despite the immense popularity of parks during the COVID pandemic, 82.8% of respondents said they still expected provincial parks to be busier this summer than the previous two summers. When asked about what concerns them about their visits to provincial parks, their top concerns were:
– Inadequate parking (62.8% of respondents were at least somewhat concerned)
– Limited enforcement of park rules (59.4% of respondents were at least somewhat concerned)
– Not enough staff or park rangers (54.5% of respondents were at least somewhat concerned
– The top improvement respondents recommended for BC’s provincial parks was more staff in parks (42.9%)
The jury was still out on the day-pass program that limits the daily number of people that can enter three of BC’s busiest parks: Garibaldi, Golden Ears, and Joffre Lakes. When asked whether the program effectively addresses park impacts like crowded trails, packed parking lots, and impacts on wildlife during peak periods, many respondents (44.0%) said they weren’t sure. However, a majority of British Columbians (52.1%) said they supported the program and only 16.9% opposed it.
The survey results also reiterated how much British Columbians value nature. 93.9% of respondents agreed that provincial parks were important or very important to protecting nature in the province. 84.4% said they’d like to see more provincial parks created in the future.
“Our parks have been short-changed for decades, and park users are feeling the effects of that more and more every year,” said Kristina Charania, Conservation Coordinator at CPAWS-BC. “It is time to address the cracks in the system. We need to increase staff presence, park maintenance, and ecosystem monitoring to improve recreation experiences and protect the diverse nature in parks.”
Half of those who answered the survey said they planned to visit a provincial park at least once a month, with 8.0% of respondents saying they planned on multiple trips to parks each week. The most popular provincial parks amongst respondents were Golden Ears, Strathcona, Manning, and Goldstream.
The survey was completed by 905 British Columbians, with a margin of error of 3.26% and confidence level of 95%.
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For interviews, contact:
Rippon Madtha
Communications Manager
rippon@cpawsbc.org
604-685-7445 (x23)
About CPAWS-BC:
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is Canada’s only nationwide charity dedicated solely to the protection of our public land, ocean, and freshwater, and ensuring our parks and protected areas are managed to protect nature. Since 1963, CPAWS has played a leading role in protecting over half a million square kilometers. Our vision is to protect at least half of Canada’s public land and water in a framework of reconciliation – for the benefit of wildlife and people.
The CPAWS British Columbia chapter (CPAWS-BC) works to protect wilderness in every corner of BC and deep into the ocean. We have been defending BC since 1978, and are dedicated to keeping BC’s natural environment thriving forever. Nature is BC’s best hope.
Follow us! @CPAWSBC
Golden Ears Provincial Park, 2022.
Photo by staff photographer Adam Combs.
Photo Contest Rules – 2021
How to enter:
- Post your photo in nature’s bubble from the last 12 months on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram
- In your caption, tell us why nature matters to you, and what’s special about your memory
- Tag and follow @cpawsbc @guideoutfittersassociationofbc. Multiple entries are encouraged—up to one entry a day!
Your profile must be public for us to see your contest entry post(s). You may submit up to one entry per day. Photos must be posted in the social account feed, stories will not be eligible to win. Contest runs October 1 – November 5, 2021 at 11:59pm PST.
It is the sole responsibility of the entrant to ensure their entry is properly submitted as described above. The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society British Columbia (CPAWS-BC) and the Guide Outfitters Association of British Columbia (GOABC) will not be responsible for any lost, delayed, misdirected, illegible, incomplete, damaged or undeliverable entries, or any delay or failure to transmit, process, receive or consider entries.
Chances of winning are dependent on the number of entries received, and in some cases, the quality of submissions received. Quebec residents and individuals who are not legal Canadian residents at time of entry are not eligible to win.
The Contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. You understand that you are providing your information to
CPAWS-BC and GOABC and not to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. The information you provide will only be used for the administration of this Contest and in accordance with CPAWS-BC and the GOABC’s privacy policies. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are completely released of all liability by each participant (and his/her parent/legal guardian if he/she is a Minor) in this Contest. Any questions, comments or complaints regarding the Contest must be directed to CPAWS-BC or GOABC and not Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Questions regarding the contest or campaign can be emailed to parks@cpawsbc.org with “Nature’s Bubble Photo Contest” in the subject line.
General
These Rules and Regulations are final on all matters relating to CPAWS-BC and GOABC’s Photo Contest (the “Competition”). The contest is governed by the rules set out below. By entering the contest, you agree to abide by those rules and the decisions of CPAWS-BC and the GOABC staff.
You also agree to comply with all applicable laws. The contest is void where prohibited or restricted by law.
Eligibility – Entrants
You are not required to make any purchase or pay any fee to enter or win the contest. Entrants may not win more than one prize.
You may only enter the contest if you are an individual and, at the time of entry, you are a legal resident of Canada. If you do not meet the Canadian residency requirement, you may still post a photo but will not be eligible for any prizes. Quebec residents are not eligible to win.
Each eligible entrant aged seventeen (17) years or under must have his/her custodial parents’ or legal guardian’s consent to enter the CPAWS-BC and the GOABC Photo Contest. If a custodial parent or legal guardian does not provide the required consent, then the entry will be disqualified.
Proof of identification and parental consent must be provided upon request. If a custodial parent or legal guardian does not provide consent, or if proof of identification cannot be obtained to the satisfaction of the Sponsor, the entry will be disqualified.
CPAWS-BC and the GOABC employees and their immediate families (i.e., their spouses, siblings, children, spouses’ parents, and the spouses of any of those individuals) and their household members (related or not) are not eligible to enter the contest.
CPAWS-BC and the GOABC may at any time in its sole discretion disqualify any entrant who: does not meet the contest’s eligibility criteria, fails to comply with these rules, attempts to enter the contest in any manner or through any means other than as described in these rules, attempts to disrupt the contest or attempts to circumvent any of these rules.
Photo entries must be at least 1080 x 1080 pixels in size at original resolution. Photo entry captions must be no longer than 250 words.
Photo entries must have been taken in the last 12 months. Photo entries must be original material and must not have been a winner in another national competition or Competition. Entries also must not have been published or accepted for publication by a national magazine or newspaper. Entries posted online on personal websites, blogs or on social media are not considered published for the purpose of this competition, and may be entered for competition consideration. Content alteration of digital files is not acceptable; cropping of photos is permitted, tonal or colour corrections are acceptable, including black and white conversion.
Photos must be of legal activities, taking into consideration safety and any laws governing parks or protected areas where photos are taken. All photos must show respect for the subject and the environment. Photos that disturb or damage the environment, animals, or plants are not permitted.
Prizes
The contest prizes are as follows:
– One $500 MEC gift card, which will be awarded based on the judging criteria set out in “Judging”
– One of two $250 MEC gift cards, which will be awarded through random selection of all entrants at the end of the contest
– One of two survival kits from BMG Industries, which will be awarded through random selection. One will be given away to entrants who submit a photo between October 1 – 15th; the other will be given away to entrants who submit a photo between October 16th – November 5th.
All entries submitted will be eligible to win any of the prizes listed above. Entrants can only win one of the prizes listed above through the contest.
Winners
In order to be declared a contest winner and be eligible for a prize, the prize winner must have complied with, and remain in compliance with, these rules, and must sign and deliver to CPAWS-BC or the GOABC (within 7 calendar days of a request from either party) a standard declaration and release form (which will include a declaration of the finalists’ compliance with these rules, and acceptance of the prize as awarded, a publicity release, a liability release, and the correct answer to a skill-testing question) and any other documentation that CPAWS-BC and the GOABC may require. Prizes will be shipped within Canada only, or delivered digitally.
The winners will be notified through the platform they used to submit their entry (Twitter and/or Facebook and/or Instagram). If the selected winning entrants does not respond within five (5) calendar days of the first notification attempt, if a prize is returned as undeliverable or is rejected, or if a participant is found to be ineligible, an alternate winner may be selected.
In case of dispute as to the identity of any entrant, an entry will be declared made by the authorized account holder of the email address submitted at time of entry. CPAWS-BC and the GOABC may request valid proof of identity, residency, age and other relevant documentation, and they may disqualify a selected winner if they determine (in their sole discretion) that the provided proof is not sufficient.
All prizes must be accepted as awarded (with no substitutions), and may not be sold, transferred, or converted into cash. All prizes will be delivered by way of postal delivery upon the winner accepting the prize as awarded, or delivered digitally to the winner’s email. CPAWS-BC and the GOABC are not responsible for lost or undeliverable mail.
Judging
One of the two contest winners will be selected through a series of judging criteria, with each criterion existing on a scale from 1 to 5. These include, in no particular order:
- Quality of photo: resolution of image
- Composition of photo: ability of photo to capture its subject in a clear and visually compelling manner
- Applicability of entry to contest theme: does the photo capture a subject in nature? Does the caption tell the viewer why nature matters, and what’s special about their memory?
- Imaginative and colorful storytelling in caption: ability of caption to tell a vivid story, inspire, and/or evoke emotion in the viewer
License to CPAWS-BC and the GOABC
By submitting your photo to CPAWS-BC and the GOABC’s Photo Contest, you are granting CPAWS-BC and the GOABC the unrestricted, royalty-free, perpetual right to use your photo for future educational, promotional and charitable purposes without any fee or other form of compensation, and without further notification or permission.
You will retain all rights to any photograph you submit—including ownership if applicable.
Publicity
Except where otherwise prohibited by law, participation in the contest constitutes a winner’s consent to CPAWS-BC and the GOABC’s use of the winner’s photo and name for educational, promotional and charitable purposes without further notification, permission, payment or consideration.
Cancellation
If for any reason CPAWS-BC and the GOABC cannot run the contest as planned (including as a result of bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, infection by computer virus or any other cause that corrupts, impairs or affects the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this contest) CPAWS-BC and the GOABC may cancel, modify, extend or suspend the contest. In that event, CPAWS-BC and the GOABC may award prizes at random from among the eligible entries received up to the time of the impairment, or award no prizes. CPAWS-BC and the GOABC may also disqualify any individual who tampers with or in any way corrupts the entry process, or who attempts to undermine the legitimate operation of the contest by cheating, hacking, deception, or other unfair practices, or by attempting to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other entrants or CPAWS-BC/GOABC representatives.
Disclaimers, Liability, and Indemnification
CPAWS-BC and the GOABC do not accept liability for any loss or damage resulting directly or indirectly from your participation in the contest.
CPAWS-BC and the GOABC are not responsible for: (1) late, incomplete, or misdirected entries, or entries received through impermissible or illegitimate channels; (2) technical failures of any kind, including without limitation the malfunctioning of any telephone, computer, network, hardware or software; (3) the unavailability or inaccessibility of any service; (4) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the contest; (5) electronic or human error which may occur in the administration of the contest or the processing of entries; or (6) any injury or damage to persons or property, including without limitation your computer, which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from your participation in the contest or from downloading any material from CPAWS-BC or the GOABC websites.
CPAWS-BC and the GOABC will not be liable to you for any indirect, special, consequential, or punitive damages in connection with the contest or these rules.
By participating in this contest, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless CPAWS-BC and the GOABC and their employees, directors, officers, members, affiliates, agents, judges and advertising and promotional agencies from any and all damages, injuries, claims, causes of actions or losses of any kind (including actual legal fees and expenses) arising from or related to: (a) your failure to comply with any of these rules; (b) any misrepresentation you make under these rules or otherwise to CPAWS-BC or the GOABC; or (c) your participation in the contest.
Personal Information
You consent to CPAWS-BC and the GOABC using and disclosing your personal information for the purposes of administering the contest; advertising the contest and any future contests and any of CPAWS-BC or the GOABC’s products and services; and for the other purposes described in these rules.
Law
The Rules will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada and the federal laws of Canada applicable in British Columbia.
Disputes
All disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with the contest, prizes or these rules will be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the appropriate court of the Province of British Columbia, Canada.
Further Information
CPAWS-BC
241-312 Main Street, Vancouver BC
(604) 685-7445
parks@cpawsbc.org
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Join us to make nature a priority
Dear Friend,
You’ve donated to safeguard BC’s lands and waters before. I’m so grateful that you’ve been fighting alongside us to protect wilderness. Now, I’m hoping that you’re ready to take the next step by becoming a monthly donor. Can you help us hold governments accountable to their new promises?
This spring, we need about 100 new donors to pledge $10 per month for nature. I would be so grateful if you can get us started by signing up right now.
With staff now working from their homes across the province, we’ve been able to lower our costs and keep people close to the communities where we work. We’re building on recent success securing new conservation jobs and increased funding for BC Parks, and we’ve got big plans for the summer.
There’s so much to be excited about in 2021 — if we can keep governments on track and focused on nature-based solutions to economic recovery, the climate crisis, and biodiversity loss.
Will you help us keep this incredible momentum going by becoming a monthly donor? It only takes a few clicks, and you’ll be a part of a movement to ensure that lands and waters are protected now, and well into the future.
Please join us now.
Sarah McNeil
Development Manager
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IMPAC5 Ocean Fest Photo Contest
#IMPAC5OceanFest Photo Contest
IMPAC5, the 5th International Marine Protected Congress, is coming to Vancouver, BC in February. Scientists, knowledge holders, decision makers and community leaders from around the world will be discussing how to create a healthier ocean. And we want you to join in the ocean conservation enthusiasm by submitting your ocean photos into a contest.
How to Enter
- Post your ocean photo from the last 12 months on Instagram. Photos must be public so we can see them!
- In your caption, tell us why you love the ocean or why ocean conservation matters to you
- Tag and follow @CPAWSBC, @IMPAC5 and use the hashtag #IMPAC5OceanFest on
Instagram
Make sure that your profile is public so that we can see it. Posts must be put in a feed, unfortunately Instagram stories will not be eligible to win.
Prizes
Over $100 in prizes, including a stunning photography print of rockfish and glass sponge reef by Jeff Wilson.
Contest closes on Friday, February 10, 2023. Find the full contest rules here.
Community Guidelines
Last Updated: October 2020
CPAWS-BC is proud to host an online community space where you can share ideas and concerns about environmental protection. We invite you to join the conversation.
When posting a comment on CPAWS-BC social media channels, please be mindful of the following guidelines:
Respect: Commentary that includes racism, violence, sexism or otherwise discriminatory or hateful language will be removed.
Misrepresentation: Posts that include misinformation, attacks, or threats will be removed.
Spam: This space is reserved for discussion and idea sharing. Spam including advertisements or commercial content will be removed.
Non-partisan. CPAWS-BC is a registered charity. This space may be used for advocacy or debate over policy positions, please refrain from biased commentary on politicians or political parties.
Failure to follow these guidelines will result in comments being deleted. In extreme cases, accounts may be blocked from participating in the CPAWS-BC facebook community.
Please note that third-party links and comments posted on CPAWS-BC social media pages do not necessarily represent the CPAWS-BC views or policies.
If you have any questions or concerns about the above policy or how it is applied, please contact info@cpawsbc.org
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Annual Report
- CPAWS-BC 2022/2023
- CPAWS-BC 2021/2022
- CPAWS-BC 2020/2021
- CPAWS-BC 2019/2020
- CPAWS-BC 2018/2019
- CPAWS-BC 2017/2018
- CPAWS Impact Reports
Looking for more? Contact us at info@cpawsbc.org
Conservation group applauds new youth conservation jobs
For interviews, contact:
Tori Ball, Terrestrial Campaigner
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, BC Chapter
tori@cpawsbc.org
(604) 685-7445 x24
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 5, 2020
Traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples/Vancouver, BC — The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, British Columbia (CPAWS-BC) is applauding a new initiative to hire young people into conservation jobs in BC. These new jobs, announced today by Environment Minister George Heyman, will help to safeguard nature across the province.
“We’re happy to see more conservation jobs being created for young people at a time when our park system needs more support,” says Tori Ball, Terrestrial Campaigner with CPAWS-BC.
“In the short term, these new jobs will help manage the impacts of increasing visitation on the outdoor places we love so much, by addressing long standing capacity issues within BC Parks,” she adds.
BC’s provincial parks were forced to shut down this spring due to concerns with understaffing and overcrowding, following a recent budget cut to operations earlier this year. Decades of underfunding to BC Parks has created a concerning shortage of staff as well as a significant backlog of maintenance issues and major delays in management planning for parks.
“These new temporary positions will help provide much-needed capacity to support overworked park rangers, which will better safeguard nature and improve people’s experiences in the outdoors,” says Ball.
“We hope to see continued investment in nature-based jobs and a commitment to a longer-term capacity increase for BC Parks, as part of the overall strategy to recover the province’s economy,” she adds.
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For interviews, contact:
Tori Ball, Terrestrial Campaigner
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, BC Chapter
tori@cpawsbc.org
(604) 685-7445 x24
Resources
About CPAWS-BC:
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – British Columbia Chapter (CPAWS-BC) protects wilderness in every corner of BC and deep into the ocean. CPAWS-BC supports the creation of large, well-managed, connected protected areas where native plants and animals thrive, now and forever; and where people and communities can live off the land and ocean without impacting the ability of future generations to do the same.
In the past 50+ years, CPAWS has played a lead role in protecting over half a million square kilometres – an area bigger than New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador put together.
Protecting BC’s Provincial Parks
BC Parks deserve a raise!
The COVID-19 public health crisis has shown us just how essential BC’s parks are for our physical and mental well-being. The pandemic has highlighted the urgent need to re-invest in BC’s parks, which have been chronically underfunded since the early 2000’s.
Throughout the month of June, the BC government is collecting feedback on how to set their priorities for next year’s budget. Send your comments by clicking the button below, letting the government know you would like parks to be prioritized with an additional investment of funding.
Our parks and the staff who take care of them are ill-equipped to support an influx of visitors as they gradually reopen. Staff shortages are making it difficult to enforce physical distancing requirements and maintain higher standards of facilities cleaning needed to keep visitors safe.
BC’s parks are in dire need of a funding boost to ensure that they’re able to support.
Click the button to edit your letter. A personalized letter triples your impact so add a personal note at the start of this letter. When you’re done, click send.
Protecting BC’s provincial parks
As British Columbians, we should be proud of the system of parks that has been created to safeguard some of our province’s most beautiful and unique places. From high alpine meadows to towering ancient forests and sweeping grasslands, BC is the most biologically diverse province and our parks steward some of the most spectacular natural wonders on planet earth. But with wildlife facing extinction and our parks facing humans pressures, we need to expand our parks system and give nature the protection it needs.
BC’s provincial parks system is the largest in Canada – but it is also one of the worst funded.
What does this funding crisis look like on the ground?
- Massive shortage of park rangers: in 2016, there were just 7 full-time park rangers responsible for monitoring BC’s millions of acres of park lands. That means that during peak season, each park ranger was responsible for an area roughly two-thirds the size of Vancouver Island. Seasonal hiring has tried to fill gaps, but there’s still chronic understaffing in BC Parks. That means regulations meant to protect nature are left unenforced.
- Doing more with less: with over 20 million visitors per year, BC Parks staff are under enormous pressure. But without adequate funding, they often don’t have enough resources for proper equipment or vehicles that help them monitor our parks.
- Broken and missing infrastructure: tent pads, pit toilets, bridges, paths – these things cost money to build and maintain. Proper infrastructure makes for more enjoyable and meaningful park experiences for visitors, while also providing vital protection to sensitive ecosystems.
- Threats to nature and wildlife: without enough park rangers, sufficient resources, or safe infrastructure, BC’s parks are becoming “paper parks” – protecting in theory but not in practice. That means severe degradation of irreplaceable ecosystems from the influx of visitors and their litter. For wildlife, it means losing habitat and more dangerous interactions that lead to conflict. Without adequate funding, our parks cannot do the job they are legislated to do: protect and conserve wilderness for generations to come.
Parks don’t protect themselves. We can see a better future for BC’s provincial parks and the wilderness that they protect, but only if we stand up and demand action from our government.
