BC Parks to expand and revitalize provincial parks with new funding

Cape Scott Park in Northern Vancouver Island is shown. More than 76 hectares of land was added to the park in 2020: (BC Parks/@sarahetoile Instagram)

BC Parks Foundation is looking to expand and upgrade many provincial parks and the facilities within them after being picked as a recipient of a large-scale grant.

The BC Parks Foundation joins three other organizations in receiving Airbnb’s $245,000 community fund, an annual grant designed to support local communities.

Andy Day, BC Parks Foundation’s CEO, said the funds “really give a boost” to the efforts already being made to connect visitors and people who live within the province to B.C.’s protected areas and parks.

The grant will help fund the organization’s tireless conservation work, alongside a new range of activities, programs and trail experiences that they have recently introduced in parks, said Day.

Spring school programs, guided nature walks, self-guided walks, amphitheatre programs and workshops will be implemented in more parks, and visitors can also expect to see more Story Trails – a collaboration between BC Parks and Indigenous groups that shares First Nations culture.

The Foundation’s Discover Parks Ambassador program, an initiative that allows youth to act as nature guides, will be improved and expanded with the funding, said Day.

Work penned for the Sea-to-Sky region involves the build of more toilets and facilities that will ensure guests can visit “safely and responsibly,” he added, while 21 parks throughout the province will have more activities.

“Having tourism-based companies contributing to the stewardship and enjoyment of our parks is a win for everyone,” said Day.

“It attracts visitors, they stay for longer, they learn more, and they want to come back. That creates a great experience for them, helps ensure stewardship of parks, and boosts local businesses and jobs.”

This year marks the fifth Airbnb has donated to organizations via its community fund.

With the funds designed to be donated to organizations that are making a difference in either economic empowerment, environmental sustainability, or ending abuse and exploitation, Hayley Clark, communications manager at Airbnb, said it is “thrilled” to be supporting the work of the BC Parks Foundation.

The Foundation was selected for its commitment to environmental sustainability, through its mission to “inspire and empower” both people living within the province and those who come from afar to visit it, she said.

“Airbnb’s donation via the community fund helps sustain BC Parks Foundation’s important work in conservation, stewardship, and community engagement.”

As President Donald Trump’s trade war ramps up and those within the province feel compelled to look at vacations on home soil rather than stateside, Day said there is no better time than now for BC Parks Foundation to be upgrading and expanding its offerings.

“This helps with providing more experiences for residents and visitors, more places to go, more facilities,” he said, adding how the funds will also aid in boosting B.C.’s economy through tourism at a time when many sectors are looking to face challenges.

“It’s easy to take our parks for granted and forget how great it is that our parks are free,” he said.

“That’s not necessarily common around the world, so we need mechanisms for those who benefit and enjoy them to also contribute back and keep them beautiful, accessible and well managed for everybody to enjoy.”