BC Parks benefits from long-standing relationships and the ongoing efforts of many volunteers and community organizations.

In 2011-12, grants from BC Parks provided $449,899 to community groups through the Community Legacy Program (CLP) to support improvements to 27 provincial parks. In turn, community groups made financial and/or in-kind contributions totalling $330,124 including 6,466 hours of volunteer time. Examples of projects include:

• Horne Lake Caves' conservation and education project - CLP funds of $18,000 as well as $25,200 raised by the Canadian Cave Conservancy together contributed $43,200 to the project. Volunteers provided 1,322 hours of labour.

• Cypress Park Wetland restoration project - CLP funds of $11,037 and $23,385 raised by the North Shore Wetland Partners Society made a combined contribution of $34,422 to the project. Volunteers provided 749 hours of labour.

• Accessible cabin restoration at Inland Lake - CLP funds of $19,000 and $26,042 raised by the Powell River Model Community Project for Persons with Disabilities Society contributed $45,042 to the project. Volunteers provided 20 hours of labour.

• Design and construction of park information kiosk in Churn Creek Protected Area - CLP funds of $17,900 and $31,800 raised by Friends of Churn Creek Protected Area Society contributed $49,700 to the project. Volunteers provided 872 hours of labour.

• Enhancing visitor awareness and conservation of important bird areas - CLP funds of $16,000 and $16,402 raised by the Federation of BC Naturalists contributed $32,402 to the project. Volunteers provided 69 hours of labour.

A final report about all CLP projects can be found on the BC Parks website at: http://bit.ly/NfnLAc

Parks Day is a nationwide event showcasing parks and historic sites in every province and territory in Canada. First celebrated in 1990, Parks Day provides everyone an opportunity to get out and enjoy their parks from coast to coast.

Quotes:

Environment Minister Terry Lake -

"As we celebrate the beauty and diversity of all that our provincial parks have to offer on this Canada-wide Parks Day, I want to recognize and thank BC Parks' volunteers for their passion and dedication to B.C.'s provincial parks. As we look to the future, we want to encourage new generations of park users to come out and enjoy the legacy of BC Parks."

Kevin Kreuger, MLA Kamloops-South Thompson -

"Easy accessibility to Lac Le Jeune Park has helped to create strong community connections and support from volunteer resources. Like many other provincial parks it has benefitted from the contributions of volunteers who work on projects such as the wheelchair accessible docks at Lac Le Jeune and nearby Walloper Provincial Park."

Quick Facts:

• Learn to Fish is a free program available at 12 provincial parks this year, including Lac Le Jeune, and is available to more children, youth and families than ever before thanks to a grant from BC Parks.

• Kids of all ages can collect stamps in their BC Parks passport and win prizes just for visiting provincial parks and B.C. Visitor Centres this summer.

• Since 2009, Encorp Pacific has donated 185 bear-proof recycling bins in BC Parks at a total cost of $273,000.

• In 2011, the B.C. government eliminated parking fees in BC Parks.

Learn More:

Community Legacy Program: http://bit.ly/NfnLAc

Learn to Fish: www.gofishbc.com

BC Parks passports: www.bcparks.ca

Text to Donate: www.bcparks.ca

Choose your own campsite at: www.discovercamping.ca

Book a group campout or picnic: http://bit.ly/Nn8qOf

BC Parks Volunteers: www.bcparksvolunteers.ca

Contact:

Suntanu Dalal
Communications
Ministry of Environment
250 580-0759