Outdoor Recreation Council of B.C. Since 1976, the Outdoor Recreation Council of B.C. has advocated for the amalgamation of government responsibilities regarding parks, trails, and recreation sites.
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Outdoor enthusiasts welcomed a provincial reshuffle, announced in Tuesday’s budget. This brings together all aspects of hiking, camping, and general enjoyment of public lands under one roof.
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This made us very happy, stated Louise Pedersen (executive director of the organization). Outdoor Recreation Council of B.C. It makes sense to have everything under one roof.
Since 1976, the council has advocated for a fusion of government responsibilities for B.C.’s parks, trails, and recreation sites.
The Forestry Ministry managed B.C.’s 1,372 recreation/campsites and 20,000 kms of trails on Crown Land. The Ministry of Environment monitored recreation and conservation within provinces protected areas.
While it is possible to have two heads, it is important to remember that too many cooks can ruin the broth.
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Pedersen suggested that having both agencies under the same roof and one minister could prove to be very beneficial.
Recent years have seen a rise in complaints that British Columbians as well as tourists may have experienced. To death, I love B.C.’s parks and trailsFor some time now, the demand for these resources has outstripped provincial resources.
Reservations are difficult to obtain, popular trails and campsites are overcrowded, parking spaces insufficient, and hikers report more braided trails (made from people leaving main routes to make new routes, destroying fragile ecosystems in the process).
Trial balloons were launched to introduce paid-only access, and quotas. Approval for new trailsOr infrastructure can take seemingly endless amounts of time.
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Volunteers are being asked to take over. More litter than everIf left on the ground, they can become habituated bears to humans. Search and rescue teams are alarmed by the increase in selfie-seekers unprepared for rescue.
Green space is simply Not yet createdCritics claim that COVID-19 made it difficult to keep up with home building.
Pedersen stated that more money was not included in the new budget, which is crucial to repair the province’s beloved but damaged recreation system.
B.C. has suffered decades of underfunding. She spoke of overburdened trail networks and disused recreation sites, as well as a large backlog of deferred maintenance. She also mentioned a lack in staffing, inability to engage effectively with Indigenous governments, and the exhaustion of volunteer groups due to the sheer volume of work and lack of support.
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COVID highlighted the importance outdoor activity and has posted a series of Facebook posts, from the provincial license plates to posts from residents to friends in the rest Canada, that basically said, “Don’t You Wish You Were Here” about B.C.’s natural beauty.
The Outdoor Recreation Council of B.C. Pedersen stated that the amalgamation of the departments could be an exciting new beginning.
It could help create a solid vision, an ambitious vision for outdoor recreation in B.C. She said that she could imagine what it might look like. I choose to be hopeful, this (amalgamation), it is better, a lot besser.
Although there are some concerns and worries, overall this could be a positive experience.
