Hundreds of new anglers got their feet wet for the first time at British Columbia's provincial parks during 2012. A record number of B.C. families took part in free Learn to Fish programs in provincial parks, which added value to the park visitors' already great experiences.

Ninety per cent of identified high-elevation winter caribou habitat across the South Peace area will be protected to support the recovery of Northern Caribou, Environment Minister Terry Lake and Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson announced today.

British Columbia's provincial parks now have more places to sit and enjoy an amazing view - each with their own special stories and wonderful memories. The 100 for 100 Park Bench Challenge launched in 2011 to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of British Columbia's provincial parks system was so successful that all 100 benches are sold.

The BC Lake Stewardship Society (BCLSS) has been awarded a one-time $75,000 provincial grant to support its lake monitoring program, which contributes to the effective environmental stewardship of B.C.'s water resources and ensures the collection of high-quality lake-monitoring data.

Small businesses throughout B.C. are 'staying out of the red' by going green, said Environment Minister Terry Lake to wrap up October as small business month.

While Ministry of Environment officials remain confident that there is no risk to public health or the environment, the ministry is launching a formal investigation in response to concerns around the approximately 1,800 tonnes of potentially hazardous fly ash shipped to the Cache Creek Landfill from the Burnaby waste-to-energy facility in July and August, announced Environment Minister Terry Lake today.

Visitors to Goldstream Park near Victoria are advised that parking at the day-use area will be extremely busy for the next several weeks during the annual Goldstream salmon run. Visitors are also asked to please use caution when parking outside of the designated areas.

B.C. will beat national targets on recycling by close to a year, said Environment Minister Terry Lake at the annual meeting of the Canadian Council of the Ministers of Environment (CCME), which wrapped up Thursday, and in advance of Waste Reduction Week Oct. 15-21.

Environment Minister Terry Lake will share B.C.'s leading-edge policies on extended producer responsibility, air-quality management and climate action at this year's meeting of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) in Lake Louise on Oct. 11.