There are over 800 parks, protected areas and ecological reserves in British Columbia covering nearly 13% of the province's land base. In spite of this, large land areas still warrant protection from industrial development along with ecosystems that are insufficiently represented, such as Vancouver Islands Garry Oak meadows. Other threats to our world famous parks system include chronic funding shortages, lack of connectivity between parks, increased commercialization and proposed logging, mining and road construction that have steadily eroded our world class wilderness heritage.

BC Parks - A World Famous Legacy

Wilderness Committee Educational Report Vol.23-No.05 - Summer 2004

Credits

Research & Writing:
Gwen Barlee & Louise Askjaer Pedersen
Editing: Steve Tindley Design: Andrea Reimer
Photos: as noted in captions
Web publishing: Brianna Mersey
Distribution: brian@gold-distribution.com
Western Canada Wilderness Committee Educational Report.
Vol. 23, No. 5. Summer 2004.
Canadian Mail Product Sales Agreement No. 0900567.
Posted in Vancouver. For free distribution.
Printed in Canada on recycled newsprint with vegetable-based inks.
Press Run 90 000. © WCWC 2004. All rights reserved.
Written material may be used without permission when credit is given.
Published by:
Western Canada Wilderness Committee
227 Abbott Street, Vancouver BC V6B 2K7
www.wildernesscommittee.org

References

(1) BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection. BC Parks – Information Centre - Statistics. Online: wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/facts/stats.htm.
(2) BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection. Economic Benefits of British Columbia’s Provincial Parks. September 2001. Online: wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/cppl/documents/parks_sept_01.pdf.
(3) BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection. BC Parks – Information Centre – Interesting Facts About BC Parks. Online: wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/facts/interest.htm..
(4) Tourism British Columbia 2003. The Value of Tourism. Building Tourism with Insight. www.tourism.bc.ca/PDF/Value2003%20Book_FINAL.pdf.
(5) West Coast Environmental Law. Report, “Please Hold. Someone Will Be With You – A Report on Diminished Monitoring and Effectiveness in the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection.” Online: www.wcel.org/wcelpub/2004/14099.pdf 2004).
(6) Riccius, Eva. Cuts to BC Parks – The Ongoing Saga. Parks and Wilderness Quarterly. Online: www.cpawsbc.org/publications/newsletter/2002_spring_riccius.php.
(7) BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection. BC Parks - Recreation “Park User Fees for 2004.” Online: wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/fees/fees.htm.
(8) West Coast Environmental Law. Deregulation Backgrounder, “Bill 84 Weakens Park Act.” Online: www.wcel.org/deregulation/bill_84.pdf.
(9) West Coast Environmental Law. Newsletter, “Draconian new law gives BC Ministers virtual license for backroom deals.” Vol. 29:03 Feb 15, 2004. Online: www.wcel.org/4976/29/03/01.htm.
(10) Zacharias, Yvonne. “Province to get out of operating parks.” Vancouver Sun July 31, 2002.
(11) BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection. Recreation Stewardship Panel – Final Report and Recommendations. Online: wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/esd/recpanel/finalreport.pdf.