As Canadian Environment Week kicks off today, more than 5,000 wood-burning stoves have been replaced by cleaner burning models since the Province's successful provincial Wood Stove Exchange Program began five years ago. This equates to a reduction of more than 310 tonnes of particulate matter pumped into the air.

Responding to continued concerns about air quality in the Lower Mainland and the Fraser Valley, AirCare will continue to Dec. 31, 2014, and then end for passenger cars and trucks to allow for a full examination of the program's future direction and focus, Environment Minister Terry Lake announced.

The Province is increasing compliance and enforcement patrols by about 30 per cent over the Victoria Day long weekend to ensure visitors to BC Parks and the backcountry have a safe holiday.

British Columbians have made more than 6,000 camping reservations for the Victoria Day long weekend representing an approximate 13 per cent increase over the same period last year, Environment Minister Terry Lake said.

Putting organics in their place is a year-round activity that not only helps feed plants, lawns and hedges throughout British Columbia, but also reduces GHGs.

The B.C. government introduced legislation today that will add more than 550,000 hectares to the province's parks and protected areas system, Environment Minister Terry Lake announced today.

International Compost Awareness Week (May 6-12) is being celebrated in communities throughout the province, as it is every day, through innovative programs that are substantially reducing the amount of organic materials dumped in landfills.

A Vancouver-based guitar manufacturer is donating $3,000 to BC Parks to purchase and plant 1,000 seedlings in a Lillooet area park to help restore 23,000 hectares of land damaged in the 2009 Kelly Creek wildfire.