Environment Minister Mary Polak, Chilliwack MLA John Martin and BC Parks' mascot Jerry the Moose joined families and several outdoor organizations to celebrate Canada's Parks Day at a fun, family event at Cultus Lake Provincial Park today.

First celebrated in 1990, Parks Day is an annual event where thousands of people visit parks and historic sites across Canada to celebrate the important role parks play in creating and maintaining healthy and resilient ecosystems.

Connecting with nature and parks also contributes to improved overall human health and well-being, and is an important part of creating healthy, vibrant families and communities.

Events and activities have been planned all summer long to celebrate Mount Robson Provincial Park's 100th birthday. British Columbians are encouraged to stop by B.C.'s second-oldest provincial park for fun, family activities.

For a complete list of activities celebrating Mount Robson Provincial Park's centennial, visit: www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/mt_robson

To learn more about British Columbia's parks system, pick up a free BC Parks Passport at any visitor centre in B.C. and most provincial parks. Collect six stamps at over 200 participating provincial parks to earn a collectible prize, and six stickers from a BC Visitor Centre to earn another treasure. Passports also include advice on trip-planning and BC Visitor Centre coupons.

Video and audio clips from Environment Minister Mary Polak can be downloaded at: www.sendtonews.com?SK=DLd4mZUjdX

Quote:

Mary Polak, Environment Minister -

"There's no better day than Parks Day to get out and explore the natural environment around you. Whether you're beachcombing at Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park, wildlife viewing at Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park or camping with friends and family at Cultus Lake Provincial Park, creating that connection to BC Parks and nature is so important to keeping us healthy and happy."

Quick Facts:

• British Columbia has one of the biggest parks and protected areas systems in North America.
• Almost 20 million people visit British Columbia's provincial parks each year.
• Parking fees were eliminated at provincial parks in 2011, making them more accessible to B.C. families.

Learn More:

For more information on Parks Day, visit: www.parksday.ca

For more information about BC Parks, visit: www.BCParks.ca

Connect with BC Parks on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/YourBCParks

Media Contact:

Media Relations
Ministry of Environment
250 953-3834