Join us Monday June 8 to celebrate World Oceans Day 2020 with a special Virtual Trivia Night!
Tune into@cpawsbc Facebook page at 7 pm PT. (*You do not require a Facebook account to the watch video.)
The ocean is the lungs of our planet, providing most of the oxygen we breathe. It’s a major source of food and medicine and a critical part of the biosphere. You and your friends/family are invited to join us to celebrate together the beauty, the wealth and the promise of the ocean.
When:Monday, June 8 at 7pm PT
Where: From the comfort of your couch, patio, bedroom, or anywhere that you have internet access
Who: Teams of 1-6 can pre-register with their team name to qualify for prizes.
How: Pre-Register at www.cpawsbc.org/trivia, and then join the livestream at www.facebook.com/cpawsbc June 8 at 7pm with your facebook video link.
2020 World Oceans Day is growing the global movement to call on world leaders to protect 30% of our blue planet by 2030. CPAWS-BC works to protect a network of ocean areas that are critical for marine life to have food, shelter and a safe place to raise young. From the rare and ancient glass sponge reefs of Howe Sound to the humpback whale migratory routes passing Johnstone Strait and Gwaii Haanas, we’re united globally by the ocean.
New survey shows British Columbians want increased funding for BC Parks
For Immediate Release
May 29, 2020
Traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples, Vancouver BC — A new online survey from the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – BC Chapter (CPAWS-BC) confirms that parks are a key priority for British Columbians, and that 73% want the BC government to increase funding. Parks present affordable and accessible opportunities to spend time outdoors, which has consistently been a top recommendation from BC’s Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.
“As more people turn to parks through this pandemic, concerns for the health of our parks are becoming increasingly connected with concerns for the health of British Columbians,” says Tori Ball, Terrestrial Campaigner with CPAWS-BC.
“This week saw a record-breaking number of camping reservations with BC Parks and widespread challenges in accessing the online reservation system because of the surge in interest,” says Ball. “This, along with the new survey results, underscores the important role parks are playing in supporting communities through the current public health crisis.”
It also highlights an urgent need to address long standing issues with chronic underfunding of the parks system. For decades, the province has struggled with increasing visitation, while trying to protect wildlife and nature in these special places. BC Parks once again had its budget cut by 4% this year, leading to understaffing across the province that has restricted or cut core functions such as monitoring and enforcement, research, and education.
“Decisions are being made right now about how BC will spend $1.5 billion in economic stimulus funding. This is a huge opportunity for the province to recognize the value of parks for the province’s health, and economy,” says Ball.
“Investing some of this funding into the park system to better support what British Columbians are asking for is a no-brainer, and something that will pay off in the long run,” she adds.
Key findings of the survey include:
Access to nature provides mental health benefits. 94% of respondents said access to nature is important to their mental health.
Supporting parks supports communities.75% of respondents ranked the reopening of parks as a priority in BC’s pandemic response plan.
Investing in parks should be part of BC’s Restart Plan. 71% of respondents support an immediate investment of economic stimulus funding into BC Parks for jobs and park infrastructure projects that will improve visitor experience and better support health and safety of park users.
British Columbians support a long-term investment in parks. 73% of respondents support more funding for BC Parks in the long term to protect wildlife and nature, and to support visitor health and safety.
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.
"Tucked into the southernmost corner of British Columbia’s beautiful Okanagan Valley is an extraordinary habitat popularly referred to as Canada’s pocket desert. This dry, shrub-grassland is one of Canada’s most fragile and endangered ecosystems." Enjoy this virtual view of the Osoyoos Desert Centre and explore Osoyoos BC from home!
Join us Saturday, May 23 at 10am PT to celebrate International Biodiversity Day with a live virtual tour of the Osoyoos Desert Centre! Our local guide will walk you through several of the highlights of this extraordinary grassland habitat.
Tune into@cpawsbc Instagram Live at 10am PT. (*You do not require an Instagram account to the watch video.)
BC’s grasslands are one of the most endangered ecosystems on the planet. With less than 10% of grasslands in their natural state world wide, we must do what we can to protect these remaining healthy areas.
Did you know that grizzly bears used to roam from Alaska all the way down to Mexico? Their habitat has shrunk significantly, but these powerful animals are still found in much of BC.
We want to celebrate this iconic species during #NationalWildlifeWeek by hosting a PAWsitively peaceful drawing session. Tune in to the @CPAWSBC Instagram Live on Thursday, April 9th at 5pm (PST) for a live pencil drawing tutorial with Sarah Hammond.
B.C.’s parks critical for recovery, desperate for resources
For Immediate Release
May 6, 2020
Traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples/Vancouver BC – On Wednesday, the B.C. government announced that they will begin to reopen BC Parks on May 14th as part of a multi-staged plan to reopen B.C. The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society’s BC Chapter (CPAWS-BC) is encouraged by this news, and recommends immediate action and investment by the province to support our struggling provincial parks system to be able to keep people safe.
“Consistent underfunding of BC Parks over decades has created long-standing issues with failing and unsafe infrastructure,” says Bruce Passmore, Executive Director of CPAWS-BC. “Under-resourced and overworked staff has left parks ill-equipped to handle a surge in visitors at the best of times.”
Provincial parks have been off-limits to the public since April 8th. BC Parks has had limited resources and an overall lack of capacity to support physical distancing measures, and to maintain visitor facilities to a standard that would meet public health guidelines. Numerous surveys over the past month have concluded that most people across the province want to see the reopening of parks prioritized.
“The current public health crisis has put a spotlight on these long-standing issues. It has highlighted the urgent need for the province to invest in BC Parks to carefully plan for improving visitor safety and the conservation of nature in these places we love,” adds Passmore.
“Investment in parks and outdoor recreation should be a priority for the B.C. government to support our health and wellbeing,” says Passmore. “Unfortunately, the BC Parks budget was cut by 4% this year, which has put extra pressure on our parks while demand for outdoor recreation continues to surge.”
CPAWS-BC is urging the government to direct some of the economic recovery funding to BC Parks to hire more people into front-line park jobs, and to improve park infrastructure like trails, campgrounds and other visitor facilities. This will help build a robust park system that will support the health and safety of British Columbians using these spaces during the current pandemic and well into the future.
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For interview, contact:
Tori Ball, Terrestrial Campaigner
604-685-7445 x 24
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.
As the weather warms, we’re dreaming of getting back into BC’s parks. It may be a while before our boots hit the trails so we’ve created four stunning colouring pages to remind you of the beauty that awaits.
The pages, with scenes from stunning BC parks, are designed with beginner and expert artists in mind. Enjoy bringing these lively scenes and creatures to life:
Golden Ears Provincial Park – The traditional territories of the Katzie, S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō) and Kwantlen peoples, this park is home to black bears, beavers and mountain goats.
Wells Gray Provincial Park – The traditional territory of the Secwepemcúl’ecw (Secwépemc) peoples, this park is home to the elusive wolverines and mighty grizzly bears.
Grasslands of Similkameen Valley – The traditional territory of the Syilx peoples, the grasslands of the Similkameen Valley are home to rare species like burrowing owls and sage thrashers.
Strathcona Provincial Park – The traditional territories of the nuučaan̓uuɫɁatḥ nism̓a (Nuu-chah-nulth), K’ómoks, Kwakwaka’wakw nations, Strathcona Provincial Park is home to Roosevelt elk and endangered Vancouver Island marmots.
Enter your contact details to download and print your colouring pages. Share your creations on Facebook and Instagram with the hashtag #colouringBCParks.
New store launch creates spotlight for conservation
MEC Vancouver Flagship store opening highlights partnership opportunities for community to connect to nature and improve BC’s cherished parks
March 10, 2020
Unceded Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, BC – The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – British Columbia Chapter (CPAWS-BC), is celebrating the launch of Mountain Equipment Co-op’s new store and new opportunities for connecting more people with nature.
“MEC has demonstrated their commitment to protecting nature through a long-standing partnership with CPAWS, helping members to connect outdoor recreation and conservation across the country,” said Tori Ball, CPAWS-BC Terrestrial Campaigner. “Continued support from MEC allows us to reach new communities, empowering them to advocate for a healthy and accessible parks system.”
BC’s parks and protected areas provide affordable and accessible nature experiences for residents and visitors to the province, while also safeguarding wildlife and helping us adapt to climate change. Connecting people to our parks and sharing our love of these natural spaces is more important than ever. MEC has played an important role fostering these community connections.
With the support from MEC, CPAWS-BC has been connecting communities across the province with nature, from the Lower Mainland to the Rocky Mountains, and continues to work on creating new protected areas to forever protect the wild places we know and love. These programs include:
Connecting new audiences with parks in the Lower Mainland through a hiking program to increase awareness of backcountry safety, Leave No Trace principles and the parks system’s need for community support.
Protecting/supporting the protection of BC’s endangered grasslands in the South Okanagan-Similkameen in Canada’s newest National Park Reserve.
CPAWS-BC Terrestrial Program staff will greet media onsite at the MEC Vancouver flagship store on March 10th from 10:00 – 11:00 AM to answer questions about the partnership forged to safeguard an accessible and healthy parks system.
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – British Columbia (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.
For interview, please contact:
Tori Ball Tori@cpawsbc.org 604-685-7445 ext. 24
CPAWS-BC guided community hikes build connection with nature and empower a community with tools for conservation of the places we love.
Historic agreement signals celebrated step for caribou in BC
For immediate release
February 21, 2020
Unceded Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, BC – Today, a historic collaboration reached a critical point with the signing of a partnership agreement regarding the recovery of southern mountain caribou.
Saulteau and West Moberly First Nations announced they have negotiated a partnership agreement with B.C. and Canada to protect and recover caribou in the Peace Region. Part of the Partnership Agreement between the four governments includes the creation of an important new protected area in critical caribou habitat on West Moberly and Saulteau territories, near Chetwynd, BC.
“We are encouraged by this significant agreement to recover one of Canada’s most iconic species,” said Bruce Passmore, Executive Director of CPAWS-BC, “we applaud West Moberly and Saulteau First Nations, who have demonstrated incredible leadership, working with the provincial and federal governments towards protection of wildlife and species at risk in their traditional territories.”
This agreement includes new protected areas, that will expand the Klinse-za Provincial Park as well as restoration measures, access management, habitat recovery and restoration, and an Indigenous Guardian Program. A full, collaborative suite of measures sets the best chance at success for recovery while furthering Indigenous-led conservation models. Such models are critical to upholding the culture, stewardship and traditional knowledge of the original caretakers of the land.
“Support for Indigenous-led land and wildlife conservation efforts is crucial if we are to stem the global biodiversity and climate crisis,” said Passmore. “This historic collaboration between four governments demonstrates a new way forward for conservation in BC to preserve important species before it is too late.”
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For interview, please contact:
Skye Vallance, Communications and Development Coordinator
Oceans Act enforces glass sponge reef marine protected area regulations
February 6, 2020
Unceded Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, B.C. – The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – British Columbia (CPAWS-BC) welcomes the conviction of illegal fishing in the Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound Glass Sponge Reefs Marine Protected Area (Hecate MPA).
Illegal commercial groundfish harvesting was found to have occurred in the marine protected areas. A fine of $20,000 for illegal activity prohibited under the Hecate MPA Regulations, the first conviction under the Oceans Act nationwide. An additional fine, under the Fisheries Act, of $25,000 for possessing illegally caught fish was ordered to be paid.
“We would like to thank Fisheries and Oceans Canada for enforcing MPA regulations under the Oceans Act and protecting B.C.’s glass sponge reefs,” says Ross Jameson, Ocean Conservation Manager for CPAWS-BC.
Located in the Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound off B.C.’s north and central coasts, the Hecate MPA glass sponge reefs are a world treasure. Once thought extinct for millions of years, glass sponge reefs are now known only to live in the northeast Pacific Ocean, mainly off B.C.’s coast.
CPAWS-BC has been working since the early 2000s to protect B.C.’s glass sponge reefs. After years of pushing for protection, we celebrated when the Hecate MPA was created by Fisheries and Oceans Canada in 2017. CPAWS-BC continues to work with First Nations and the Government of Canada to protect other vulnerable glass sponge reefs in B.C. Enforcement of these Oceans Act MPA regulations will help ensure these rare ecosystems are not destroyed due to human activities.
Glass sponges are filter feeders. They do this so efficiently that 95% of bacteria are filtered out, cleaning the water. In fact, a single small reef can filter enough water to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool in less than 60 seconds! Glass sponge reefs provide shelter for bottom-dwelling creatures such as rockfish and prawns.
Fishing activity can cause severe harm to these fragile habitats. Prawn and crab traps drop down and crush glass sponge reefs. Bottom trawling of heavy nets dragged along the seafloor destroy everything in their path while kicking up clouds of disturbed sediment, that prevent the sponges from feeding.
While this conviction means that the Hecate MPA is being enforced, more work needs to be done. Jameson says, “Now we need a management plan for this MPA with effective education, outreach, and additional protections to prevent these offences from occurring in the future.”
Quillback rockfish on glass sponge reef. Photo Credit: Diane Reid
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – British Columbia (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.
Looking for a night of mountain inspiration? Grab your ticket to Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival (VIMFF) and join us before the film for a guided hikes before the show. This is not your average hiking group meet-up, CPAWS-BC will be sharing the best of BC’s nature stories.
⛹♀ Meet like-minded mountain film enthusiasts
🐦 Snow safety tips
🌳 Learn how you can take action to protect the places you love
Feb 21 | Opening Night by Arc’teryx | North Vancouver’s Centennial Theater. Hike to Kennedy Falls, Lynn Valley NV, from 2:00 – 6:30 PM.
Feb 22 & 23 | Protect the Arctic Refuge Show | Port Moody’s Inlet Theater. Pre-show hike to Sawblade Falls, Pinecone-Burke Provincial Park. From 2:00 – 6:30 PM.
Feb 25 | Beautiful BC Shoe | West Vancouver’s Kay Meek Centre. Pre-show hike to Bowen Lookout, Cypress Provincial Park. From 4:00 – 6:30 PM.
🚘 Free carpool spots
We respectfully acknowledge that these gatherings will take place on the unceded, traditional, ancestral and occupied homelands of x?m?θkw?y??m (Musqueam), S?wx?wú7mesh (Squamish), S?l?ílw?ta? (Tsleil-Waututh), Katize, Kwikwetlem, Soowahlie, and Tsawwassen Nations, Seabird Island Band, and the Stó:lō Xwexwilmexw Treaty Association.
