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In this issue - Message from the Chair | Reminder: appoint your Designated Representative | Rivers must be part of political platforms | Companion rescue skills | Access issues and government news | Calendar | Annual General Meeting | Candied bacon, anyone? | Support and donate
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March 21, 2017
I am pleased to be able to provide a brief note for this first edition of ORC's electronic newsletter! Please join me in thanking Natalia for the effort she has put into this. It has been said by some that they work best under pressure; given that this newsletter will be going out soon and I am sitting her late in the evening, perhaps I should say I work only under pressure!
It is the first day of spring, and yesterday it snowed in Maple Ridge (yes, I know, Interior folks, I'll stop complaining). On a low elevation hike the local lakes I visited were still frozen and there is still about a metre of snow on the ground. My condolences to our quad riding and dirt biking friends, you may have to wait a bit longer this spring to fully enjoy your sport, while those with snowmobiles, skis and snowshoes can look forward to a considerably longer season. With that in mind, I would like to stress to all, to stay safe in the backcountry, avalanche hazards are very high in many regions of the province. Be aware of local conditions and risks, and ensure all required safety equipment is carried.
And to finish, I would like to say that the position of Chair is often not so much one of leadership as it is of collaboration. Ad it is a pleasure to work with such a dedicated group of individuals, who so ably represent their various sports and recreational interests. It is our collective ability to work together, and share, a diversity of interests and opinions that makes ORC strong and relevant in today's world.
Thank you,
Dave Wharton
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Provincial Trails Advisory Body: updates
The PTAB is an outcome of the Trails Strategy for British Columbia. A key component of the Trails Strategy is to “establish a provincial trail advisory body to provide advice on the implementation of the strategy and the BC Trail Program.
ORC's Executive Director Jeremy McCall is co-chair of the PTAB. Click here to access more information and PTAB meeting minutes.
ORC recently released a review of the PTAB's 2016 activities, which can be downloaded here. The next in-person meeting will be held in Penticton on May 11.
Minister of Environment Mary Polak announces 375 new campsites
The Minister announced 375 new campsites throughout BC, some of which will be completed for the 2017 camping season. Some sites will be in provincial parks and others will be in recreation sites on Crown land. They will be distributed as follows:
- North: 20 new sites
- Coast and Van. Island: 222 new sites
- Southern Interior: 133 new sites
Of the total 375 sites to be added, 221 will be developed by Recreation Sites and Trails BC, and the remaining 154 sites will be within provincial parks.
Minister Mary Polak
BC Budget 2017: what it means for BC Parks
Here at ORC we are still figuring out much funding BC Parks will receive for the next five years. These are some of the figures that have been made available to the public by the BC Government:
> In the BC Parks Future Strategy announced on November 28, 2016, Premier Clark announced that $22.9 million would be provided for 1,900 new campsites
> Subsequent information obtained from Recreation Sites & Trails BC (RSTBC) indicated that, of the $22.9 million, $1.1 million per year for five years, for a total of $5.5 million, would be allocated to RSTBC to develop 1,062 campsites on Crown Land.
> In a news release on February 2, 2017, the BC Government announced that as part of the BC Parks Future Strategy, a portion of the province’s $35 million investment will go toward park operations, allowing for new park rangers across the province, with a focus on protecting and preserving the back country.
> In February 2017, the Minister of Finance’s fiscal plan stated that the Ministry of Environment will receive $36 million in new funding over three years. This amount includes base budget increases totaling $26 million to increase the number of Park Rangers across the Province “to enhance recreation, conservation and stewardship activities”, and one time funding of $10 million in 2017/18 for an endowment for the new BC Parks Foundation. The amount for Park Rangers will be allocated as follows: $8 million in 2017/18 and $9 million/year in 2018/19 and 2019/20.
> In the 2017/18 Estimates, the line item for BC Parks is $49.266 million, compared with $31.158 million in 2016/17, for an increase of $18.108 million.
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BC Budget 2017: what it means for BC Parks (continued)
With this and other information received we have concluded the following:
Campsites:
- The amount to be spent by BC Parks will be $17.4 million over five years, of which $15 million will be used to refurbish existing campgrounds.
- The amount to be spent by RSTBC will be $5.5 million over five years.
BC Parks budget of $49.3 million in the 2017/18 Estimates consists of the following;
- $10 million to endow the BC Parks Foundation
- $8 million for new Park Rangers
- $31 million for BC Parks Operations
Comment
At ORC we are obviously pleased with the reasonably generous budget for new and refurbished campsites in Provincial Parks and the sizeable budget allocation to restore the number of Park Rangers to something close to earlier levels. However we continue to be concerned that the basic operating budget for BC Parks will remain at $31 million, or approximately equivalent to the amount it has been for many years.
As was explained in ORC’s submission to the Select Standing Committee on Finance, this constant level of $31 million has resulted in a progressive decline in nominal dollars available for BC Parks to operate the agency and maintain infrastructure such as trails and bridges in the back country of Provincial Parks. We will continue to advocate for an increase in the basic operating budget for BC Parks.
Reminder: appoint your Designated Representative
Each Organization Member is requested to appoint an individual as its Designated Representative to represent it at general meetings of the Council and to act as a contact person for communication. Email us to confirm.
Mark Angelo's op-ed: "care of waterways must be part of political platforms"
Mark Angelo (pictured below) is the Outdoor Recreation Council’s Rivers Chair, and founder of B.C. and World Rivers Day.
He is also Chair Emeritus, BCIT Rivers Institute, and an Order of B.C. and Order of Canada recipient for his river conservation efforts.
Ahead of the May 2017 provincial election, Mark penned a timely piece published by the Vancouver Sun and also click here to to download a document that provides details of the 10 recommended actions for our rivers.
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Announcements
Prescribed burn of 200 piles of wood debris planned 5 km east of Naramata. Scheduled to take place between Feb-April. Exact timing of burns will depend on weather and site conditions. Follow the latest BC wildfire news on social media.
MFLNRO, Village of Lytton and Lytton First Nation planning prescribed burn in the Lillooet Fire Zone to reduce wildfire threats. Scheduled to start on March 27 and end by April 7, 2017.
University of Alberta offering free online mountain studies course. Mountains 101 covers the physical, biological and human dimensions of mountain places. Registration is free.
Access issues
A B.C. Supreme Court justice criticized actions of provincial officials who sided with Douglas Lake Ranch to bar public access to fishing lakes. More on Douglas Lake here and here.
"Legal scholars say the issue of public access to private land is more than an inconvenience...it’s linked to a larger, more fundamental question about our role in the natural world." This issue has made the news on Vancouver Island, where access to Shawnigan Lake is being denied.
Environment
The Grizzly Bear Foundation's Board of Inquiry published their report, which provides 19 recommendations directed at all levels of government.
How climate change is making mountaineering more dangerous.
Comment: sustainable trails would help BC's Parks.
Government news
A number of documents are currently open for public comment on the Species at Risk Public Registry.
Parks Canada considering proposal to create new biking and walking trail along the Icefields Parkway from Jasper to the Columbia Icefield.
Formerly Second Pump Peak on Mount Seymour named Tim Jones Peak in honour of long-time leader of BC's search and rescue community and commemorates his work as an advocate for backcountry safety.
The B.C. government is resuming talks with the federal government on a possible national park reserve in the South Okanagan.
New legislative amendments for hunters to complete licensing, permitting and reporting activities online.
Consultations are now closed for the "Let's Talk Parks, Canada" Ideas Forum, but comments can still be viewed online.
MFLNRO approved a 30-year adventure tourism/commercial recreation tenure for proposed adventure park in Revelstoke.
Provincial government announced funding commitment from the Rural Dividend Fund of $98,000 to support the Shuswap Trail Alliance.
The Municipality of North Cowichan has adopted a parks and trails master plan that will guide the management of its parks and trails over the next 15 years.
Andrew Weaver, Leader of the B.C. Green Party has introduced a "Right to Roam" bill.
10,000 BC Parks licence plates have been sold since the special plates were unveiled eight weeks ago.
Just for fun
Outside Mag celebrates 40 years: the best advice we've ever given
Metro Vancouver Regional Parks' Spring Program Guide available.
Member news
ORC Member Organization FMCBC is working hard toward improving Backcountry Access Corridor (BAC) signage in Cypress Provincial Park. Prior to their involvement park's BAC hosted poor signage and misinformation, resulting in confusion, frustration and increased risk for travelers. Read their blog post to learn more.
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Motorized
Safety practices to avoid ATV rollovers.
Alberta's government plan to ban off-road vehicles in two new parks in the Castle area has sparked opposition. Click here to read the management plan.
Non-motorized
The Spearhead Huts Project is now a registered charity and can now issue tax receipts for donations. This volunteer-driven initiative seeks to offer the first hut-to-hut experience on the West Coast.
Effective February 28, the following campgrounds now require reservations in Garibaldi Provincial Park: Helm, Cheakamus Lake and Singing Creek. Campsites at Garibaldi Lake, Taylor Meadows and Elfin Lakes also require reservations. ORC is sensitive to concerns raised by our Member Organizations following this announcement. In particular, many are uncertain what these policy changes mean for dispersed camping in the park. We are keeping a pulse on this issue.
Calendar
March 26 - Kamloops Naturalist Club's 2nd Annual Dewdrop Grasslands Cleanup
This event brings together volunteers from the Four Wheel Drive Association of BC, Kamloops Hiking Club, Kamloops Bike Riders, Kamloops 4x4 Club, Thompson Trails Alliance, Kamloops Fish & Game Club, along with others in the community.
Members of the four wheel drive community rescue abandoned vehicles and tires from ravines. Click here to check out their Facebook event page and here to check out highlights from last year's cleanup (credit: Teresa the Traveller).
April 14 - Good Friday (stat holiday)
April 16 - Easter Sunday
May 12, 13 - Share the Trails Workshop
ORC and Horse Council BC are co-hosting this event to facilitate discussion about recreational use of three South Okanagan rail trails by different user groups. The three trails of focus are: Kettle Valley Rail Trail, Columbia and Western Rail Trail and the Slocan Valley Rail Trail. The event will take place at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre. Stay tuned for our list of speakers.
Saturday, June 17 - ORC's Annual General Meeting
To be hosted at Yarrow Community School. Click here for map. More info to follow.
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Backcountry safety: companion rescue
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If you spend any time playing in the backcountry, you and your travel companions must each carry 3 vital pieces of gear: an avalanche transceiver (or beacon), a probe and a shovel.
What's more, most people can't survive under snow much more than 30 minutes, so becoming proficient with an avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel is vital for winter backcountry travel.
single searcher multiple searchers
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Avalanche Canada is a great resource and they also provide a companion rescue "quick reference" guide. However, these resources are not a substitute for accredited AST courses.
Most of our readers will be well aware of the issue, but we hope this reminder will inspire you to practice companion rescue skills regularly.
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Coming soon...want your organization featured as member of the month? Let us know.
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This is a light-hearted section to share recipes, backcountry cooking tips, successes and stories. Email us to contribute.
To start us off, a past graduate of Capilano University's Outdoor Recreation Management program, Jonathan Lee, shared with us his recipe for candied bacon, as well as tips for making beef jerky at home. Both require very few ingredients and minimal effort.
Candied bacon
Obviously bacon is needed. Smoked bacon works particularly well and brings extra flavour (but really any bacon will do). Also required: brown or white sugar, maple syrup and fresh ground pepper.
Set a rack onto a baking pan, so that the bacon is elevated and fat can drip down during cooking. Next, sprinkle sugar and lather maple syrup on both sides. Finish with some fresh cracked pepper.
Bake in the oven at 325F for approximately 20 minutes (check the bacon periodically to avoid burning). Once done, let it cool. The bacon will be soft and malleable fresh from the oven, but will eventually harden as the sugar crystals cool down.
Jonathan Lee
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Beef Jerky
Eye of round is a great cut for this process because it's one of the cheapest cuts of meat. The meat needs to be cut into thin slices prior to marinating and cooking.
Jonathan recommends a "multi-marinade" approach in this recipe. First, make a wet marinade: soy sauce, white sugar, ginger, garlic, and chili powder always tastes great. Next, let the meat rest in the marinade overnight (zip-lock back in the fridge works great).
Once the jerky is ready to cook, space out the slices on a tray with a rack. Before placing in the oven, you can add some fresh ground pepper, Chinese 5 spice or Montreal steak spice.
Finally, cook in the oven at 175F for approximately 3 hours. Make sure to check that the mea is completely dried out at the end.
Here and here are two additional jerky recipes to inspire and guide your cooking.
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A significant part of ORC's funding is provided by income from the Outdoor Recreation Foundation's affinity MasterCard.
This credit cards earns us a small percentage from the transactions, at no additional cost to the card holder. This affinity card can be structured as a World MasterCard, which can earn Air Miles.
If you value the services which ORC provides, please apply for this card, choose the features which suit you and use it for purchases and travel. To all holders of this card - thank you!
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We are also grateful to receive donations. Please consider making a tax deductible financial contribution to the Foundation.
Your generosity is sincerely appreciated and serves the entire outdoor recreation community, allowing ORC to advocate on behalf of all user groups in BC.
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