Article submitted by Peter Stockdale

Nature Vancouver / Vancouver Natural History Society
Resolution for BC Nature Annual General Meeting (2010)
Submitted: February 22, 2010

Resolution re Funding for BC’s Provincial Parks

WHEREAS British Columbia has over 900 provincial parks and protected areas, encompassing 13.05 million hectares (14.26% of B.C.’s land base), and

WHEREAS these parks and protected areas contain nationally and internationally significant natural and cultural features, protect the natural biodiversity of species, and provide opportunities for outstanding outdoor recreation experiences, and

WHEREAS these parks and protected areas are a public trust and are vital to the quality of life and health of British Columbians, and

WHEREAS the provincial government has directed BC Parks to be the “best parks system in the world,” (1) and it is the vision of BC Parks “To be a world leader in parks and protected areas management,”(2) and

WHEREAS BC Parks’ operating budget has declined by approximately 25 % over the last decade while the number of parks and protected areas has increased by approximately 50%, and

WHEREAS recreational trails, bridges, back country campsites and sanitary facilities are in poor condition in many parks, and provision in parks of interpretive and trails information has been discontinued, leading to complaints by park users, and

WHEREAS government funding for park interpretation programs has been eliminated even though these programs increase public awareness of the ecological value of parks and encourage respectful and safe behaviour during park visits, and

WHEREAS the number of park rangers has been greatly reduced, resulting in inadequate surveillance of parkland and contact with park visitors,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT BC Nature urge the Provincial Government to increase funding for BC Parks over the next five years to a level that ensures
• adequate protection of parkland
• improved maintenance of park facilities, including recreational trails and back country facilities
• increased number of park rangers
• provision of interpretive and trails information in parks
• provision of interpretation programs
and that the increase to funding start with a significant increase immediately and a substantial increase in 2011, BC Parks’ centenary year.
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(1) BC Parks Program Plan 2007-2012, Ministry of Environment, updated October 28, 2008, p. 1
(2) BC Parks Program Plan 2007-2012, p. 11