Summary

• More than 630,000 licence plates have been purchased since the BC Parks Licence Plate Program began in 2017
• The program impact report, now available online, shows that 87,456 licence plates were purchased from April 2024 until March 2025
• More than $10 million was invested into projects and programs in more than 165 parks and protected areas
• Funding supports a wide range of initiatives, such as the Student Ranger Program, wildlife inventories, invasive species management, ecosystem restoration and educational programs for children, families

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As the BC Parks Licence Plate Program nears its 10th anniversary, British Columbians are showing strong support for provincial parks, with sales of the specialty licence plates now reaching more than 630,000 since the program began in 2017.

The BC Parks Licence Plate Program impact report is available online and shows that more than 87,000 licence plates were purchased between April 2024 and March 2025, an increase of approximately 4% from the previous year.

“British Columbians love their parks, and they’re showing it on the road. Every BC Parks licence plate is a way for people to support the wild places that make our province so special,” said Tamara Davidson, Minister of Environment and Parks. “Through the licence plate program, we’re investing directly in the care of our parks and protected areas and enhancing the visitor experience. A BC Parks licence plate is a simple way to create lasting benefits for B.C.’s natural spaces.”

More than $10 million invested into projects, programs

From April 2024 until March 2025, more than $10 million was invested into more than 220 meaningful projects and programs in parks throughout B.C. Part of the funding went toward conservation initiatives that help protect the province’s diverse species, ecosystems and cultural values. 

One such project is in Burges James Gadsen Park near Golden, where BC Parks staff are working with several partners to remove part of an old dike system from a Ducks Unlimited Canada project and replenish valuable wetland habitat near the globally recognized Columbia Wetlands Wildlife Management Area. The park is part of the Columbia River Wetlands, which stretch 150 kilometres from Canal Flats in the south to Golden in the north, and is home to several species, including sandhill cranes, great blue herons and Columbia spotted frogs.

The goal of the multi-year project is to re-establish the natural flow of the Columbia River to the floodplain of Moberly Marsh within the park. So far, BC Parks staff have been collecting data on vegetation and species and are working with engineers to understand the river hydrology and flood patterns. One of the dikes has now been breached in three strategic locations. During the next five years, more dikes will be breached to provide more frequent flooding of marsh habitat while protecting a large portion of the existing dike that serves upland habitat.

“Today, we are applying lessons learned from past management approaches to restore natural hydrology and habitat,” said Matt Wilson, head of conservation programs for Ducks Unlimited Canada B.C. “This is an exceptional opportunity to work together with BC Parks and other local organizations, Indigenous governments and local contractors to reconnect the river to its floodplain and create a more resilient and interconnected landscape.”

In addition to the licence plate program, the project is also supported by the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program, Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, Oregon and Washington state funding and the B.C. Watersheds Grant. 

Funding supports wide range of initiatives

By purchasing a BC Parks licence plate, people in British Columbia are supporting a wide range of important initiatives, such as wildlife inventories, partnerships with First Nations on education programs and signs, wildfire risk reduction, invasive species management, ecosystem restoration and educational programs for children and families. Other 2024-25 initiatives in parks throughout B.C. include:

• the BC Parks Student Ranger Program, which provided summer employment opportunities for 52 young adults to work on a variety of projects, such as invasive species management, trail maintenance, ecological surveys and public outreach
• in Tplaqin / Enderby Cliffs Park, the Shuswap Trail Alliance and six volunteers installed fencing, cleared windfall, and brushed and fixed tread on the Tplaqin (Enderby Cliffs) Trail
• in Kakwa Park near McBride, volunteers from the Kakwa Park Snowmobile Club made improvements to the Wishaw Trail by clearing heavily brushed sections and removing deadfall
• in 2024-25, ambassadors for the growing BC Parks Foundation’s Discover Parks Program interacted with nearly 234,000 people in parks throughout B.C. through interpretive programs, outreach booths, nature houses and accessible self-guided activities

“Drivers who invest in BC Parks plates are supporting lifelong connections and memories for British Columbians and keeping B.C.’s parks clean and beautiful,” said Andy Day, CEO, BC Parks Foundation. “Our ambassadors, trails and nature houses welcome visitors, provide guided experiences, collect data and teach people about safe, responsible and fun visits. As a result, people stay longer, come back more often and take better care of parks, making themselves and parks healthier while creating jobs for young people and boosting the economy.”

The BC Parks Licence Plate Program is managed through a partnership between the Province and ICBC. Motorists can choose one of three specialty plate designs depicting scenes from B.C.’s parks and protected areas.

“It’s inspiring to see how this program, together with our partnership with BC Parks, is benefiting communities across British Columbia,” said Jason McDaniel, president and CEO, ICBC. “By choosing a BC Parks licence plate, drivers are helping protect the parks and wild spaces that define our province, now and long into the future.”

All net proceeds from the sale and renewals of the specialty plates are reinvested into provincial parks through the Park Enhancement Fund – an account that supports the delivery of priority programs and services in provincial parks, complementing and sustaining the broader parks system.

Learn More:

• To learn more about the BC Parks Licence Plate Program and how to purchase a licence plate, visit: https://bcparks.ca/get-involved/buy-licence-plate/
• To view the 2024/25 licence plate program impact report, visit: bcparks.ca/licenceplates
• For more information about BC Parks, visit: https://bcparks.ca/