Summary

• Look West: B.C.’s Outdoor Recreation Strategy includes 17 targets to strengthen the outdoor recreation system
• Participation in outdoor recreation contributes $4.8 billion annually to B.C.’s economy and supports more than 1,400 businesses and communities provincewide
• Through the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program, nearly $1.5 million is being invested to support the outdoor recreation sector

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The Province has launched Look West: B.C.’s Outdoor Recreation Strategy, a co-ordinated approach to building a more resilient and thriving outdoor recreation sector.

“Outdoor recreation is a defining part of life in B.C., supporting people, their well-being and their communities. It also attracts visitors from around the world, bringing people to our businesses and sustaining jobs,” said Tamara Davidson, Minister of Environment and Parks. “This strategy helps strengthen how we deliver those opportunities throughout the province. It reflects a shared commitment to making outdoor experiences more accessible and enduring, because B.C. has so much to offer and explore.”

B.C.’s Outdoor Recreation Strategy recognizes outdoor recreation as a significant contributor to the provincial economy, with $4.8 billion in direct economic contributions in 2023, and more than 1,400 outdoor recreation and adventure tourism businesses operating throughout the province.

The strategy identifies 17 targets organized under five strategic priorities:

• Inspire Action
• Invest in Growth
• Deliver Experiences
• Support People
• Protect What We Love

It establishes a framework for governments and partners to work together with clearer roles, better tools and stronger support for communities and organizations that make outdoor recreation in B.C. exceptional. The strategy will also help address growing challenges across the outdoor recreation system, including rising costs, climate impacts and increasing visitation.

What’s next: key actions

Aligned with the Outdoor Recreation Strategy, the Province has begun advancing priority projects, including modernizing access to information through more connected digital systems for BC Parks and Recreation Sites and Trails BC. Work is also underway to position B.C. as a leader in accessible and adaptive trail experiences, as part of the BC Parks commitment to inclusion. The Province is identifying ways to reduce barriers to participation in outdoor recreation so that more people can get out in nature.

Actions focused on shared stewardship will help protect natural environments, recognizing that they are more than recreation spaces. The Province will work with partners to develop more guidance for responsible recreation and expand visitor-use management strategies. This supports conservation and protects high-quality experiences in popular parks and places.

A boost for community-driven projects

Clubs, volunteers, recreation organizers and community leaders are at the heart of outdoor recreation in B.C. The Outdoor Recreation Strategy commits to exploring new funding approaches for them that help develop and maintain infrastructure and assets.

The Province is working across ministries to deliver funding. Through the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP), three outdoor recreation projects are receiving a total of almost $1.5 million:

• $1 million for the ReHub Circular Technology Centre at College of the Rockies, through the Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Enterprise Society (KORE). This project will establish B.C.’s first rural clean-manufacturing and repair facility dedicated to circular innovation, workforce training and small-batch production. It will strengthen local manufacturing, create skilled jobs and advance sustainable economic diversification in the Kootenays.
• $100,000 for Trails, Towns, Talent: Building BC’s Rural Outdoor Economy, through the Outdoor Recreation Council of British Columbia (ORCBC). This project will assess how outdoor recreation can serve as a catalyst for economic diversification and resilience for people in rural B.C.
• Almost $400,000 for the Renshaw Snowmobile Trail System Revitalization, through the McBride Big Country Snowmobile Association. This project supports the installation of a new bridge, re-establishing access to the Renshaw snowmobile area and bringing economic stability to businesses in McBride and the Robson Valley.

“More and more people are choosing to spend their holidays exploring B.C., and for good reason. We have a spectacular province with so much to enjoy,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth. “Outdoor recreation contributes $4.8 billion annually to B.C.’s economy and supports more than 1,400 businesses and communities provincewide. Through investments like REDIP, which is putting nearly $1.5 million into outdoor recreation projects, we are creating more jobs and strengthening rural communities. As part of our Look West strategy, this work is helping communities diversify their economies and build long-term prosperity for families and businesses across the province.”

With a focus on strengthening B.C.’s tourism and outdoor recreation industries, the Outdoor Recreation Strategy is part of the Province’s Look West plan to grow key sectors and strengthen the economy. The Outdoor Recreation Strategy is meeting the moment, with a goal of helping communities diversify, attract new residents and build a more stable, resilient future.

Quotes:

Anne Kang, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport –

“B.C.’s internationally recognized Super, Natural British Columbia brand is grounded in our world-class outdoor experiences, which are essential to driving economic growth, supporting local businesses and jobs, and showcasing our natural advantages through our recreation industries. Aligned with our Tourism Sector Action Plan, this strategy will help communities to diversify their economies, draw visitors, and build long-term resilience by strengthening our global tourism competitiveness and supporting our goal to double tourism revenues by 2036.”

Louise Pedersen, executive director, Outdoor Recreation Council of BC –

“The strategy will help create a stronger foundation for collaboration, long-term planning and supporting the people and organizations that make outdoor recreation possible. The REDIP support for our Trails, Towns, Talent project will help communities explore how outdoor recreation can support economic diversification, attract investment and create new opportunities in rural BC. We’re looking forward to working with partners across the province on this next phase of the work.”

Powder Matt Mosteller, board chair and co-founder, KORE Outdoors –

“This is a world-leading initiative, a partnership of KORE Outdoors and College of the Rockies where industry, education, and community intersect- building capacity to design, repair, upcycle, prototype, and small-batch outdoor gear production, while reducing waste and strengthening onshore manufacturing. Outdoor Recreation is more than a lifestyle in the Kootenays, it's a growing economic engine, but also a huge contributor to the health and well-being of the people of British Columbia.”

Michael Crowe, president and CEO, College of the Rockies –

“We are deeply grateful for this support from the Province. This investment creates a powerful platform for collaboration between education and industry that will accelerate innovation, expand workforce capacity, drive economic growth, and help position British Columbia as a leader in the growing outdoor recreation and advanced manufacturing sectors.”

Steve Morissette, parliamentary secretary for rural economic development –

“Outdoor recreation is such a draw for people, both here in the Kootenays and in rural communities across the province. The College of the Rockies, and especially the KORE program, are helping lead innovation in sustainability and skills when it comes to creating, repairing and upcycling outdoor gear that is used so much in rural B.C."

Rick Schafer, president, McBride Big Country Snowmobile Association -

“The closing of the Renshaw trail and removal of the Kilometre 2 bridge was a devastating blow to the community of McBride, our snowmobile club and the sledders who ride the area. Being awarded the REDIP grant enables our club to take on one of the largest projects in the history of Recreation Sites & Trails BC, the building of a 140-foot clear span bridge.”

Quick Facts:

• Since 2017, B.C. has led all provinces in GDP growth, per capita, and the outdoor recreation economy represents 1.5% of B.C.’s real GDP.
• Since 2017, the Province has invested approximately $200 million in campground expansions, accessibility upgrades and improvements to trails, parking and facilities.
• B.C. has more than 1,000 provincial parks, recreation areas, conservancies, ecological reserves and protected areas, and more than 2,000 recreation sites and trails.
• Since 2022-23, the Province has invested $142 million through REDIP, supporting more than 450 projects across B.C. creating an estimated 7,000 jobs in rural communities.

Learn More:

• To read B.C.’s full Outdoor Recreation Strategy, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content?id=753D3D1702CC4A458EE554D05D705BB4
• To learn more about B.C.’s Look West strategy, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/LookWest
• To learn more about B.C.’s outdoor recreation economy, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/sports-culture/recreation/outdoor-recreation-data
• To learn more about the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP), including new projects, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/economic-development/support-organizations-community-partners/rural-economic-development/redip
• To explore BC Parks, visit: https://bcparks.ca/
• To explore Recreation Sites and Trails BC, visit: https://sitesandtrailsbc.ca/