B.C. Minister of Environment Terry Lake is releasing the latest update to government's Tsunami Debris Management Plan in advance of a potential increase in tsunami debris that may begin washing up on B.C.'s coastline this winter.

Keeping B.C.'s beaches and coastline clean year-round is vitally important to the protection of our aquatic life and ecosystems, which is why the B.C. government is partnering with the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup to hold cleanup events in communities throughout the province from Sept. 15 - 23, 2012.

BC Parks is getting an extra $3 million for this year's capital budget, a 27 per cent increase over last year. Overall, $13.98 million is funding projects directed at attracting young families, offering new recreation opportunities, improving accessibility and increasing attendance.

BC Parks is designating $200,000 towards recreational and conservation projects involving volunteers and launching a new volunteer website today to mark National Volunteer Week April 15-21.

The Honourable Peter Kent, Canada's Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced with the Honourable Terry Lake, British Columbia's Minister of Environment, that the governments of Canada and British Columbia have agreed on a proposed boundary for a national marine conservation area reserve in the southern Strait of Georgia also known as the Salish Sea.

Scouts Canada and BC Parks unveiled a new badge designed by eight-year-old cub scout Owen Andrews during the start of a big camp-out on the Sunshine Coast.

Parking will now be free in all provincial parks to encourage families to take advantage of our world-class parks system.