Support BC Marine Trails and get the chance to win big! Your purchase helps fund tent platform construction, site maintenance and trail development, First Nations engagement, stewardship, and public education.
Want to help BCMT by promoting our 50/50 draw? Consider sharing this graphic on your personal social media, or, this βclickable PDF directly with family and friends!
Tips For Family Paddling
Are you ready to take the leap into whole-family paddling trips? Heading out to the wilderness with young kids, or grandparents, may seem overwhelming β with the tips from this article, you will thrive while creating memories to last a lifetime. Highlights from the article include:
Save the big-water experiences for other times. Just having kids and grandparents out on a trip is challenge enough.
Get the kids involved β let them paddle early and often. A kid-sized canoe paddle is a great starter in a canoe or kayak.
Combine families β sharing the load makes lifelong friendships for all ages.
Plan for base camps on longer trips β shorter paddles and longer beach time
Donβt wait! If kids start going on paddling trips when they are infants they donβt think twice about paddling in the rain in later years.
BC Marine Trails isn't just about connecting sites; it's a community-driven initiative to preserve our coastline for generations to come! Become a Coastal Caretaker and be the VOICE of our beautiful coastal sites. Here's how:
VISITING: Explore your favourite spots often or embark on an adventure to remote BC Marine Trails sites.
OBSERVING: Take notes of any human impact on the site and appreciate its natural beauty.
INTERACTING: Share your efforts with fellow visitors, promoting respectful recreation.
CARETAKING: Take action! Dismantle fire rings, clean up debris, and maintain trails.
EXCHANGING DATA: Your input matters! Complete the BCMT Site Condition Report to help preserve our coastline. Remember β the BCMT site map is a community effort. Site Condition Reports are welcome from everyone β not just coastal caretakers β find out how to report.
"I became a Coastal Caretaker because I find it a great way to educate others by example. Eventually, I look forward to seeing the whole world as Coastal Caretakers ... (it may be a while before that goal is achieved). However, in the case of BC Marine Trails, we are a good, stable, and well defined organization which makes it very easy to get involved. It is a valid way of communicating and sharing our thoughts, knowledge and our love of our environment with other users. As a Coastal Caretaker, we have a vital role in gathering and dispersing data to other BCMT departments for assessments and further trail development or enhancement."
Committee Members Needed!!
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We are in need of volunteers for various committees: stewardship, trails development, communications, First Nations, and the IT team. We have approximately 30 core volunteers who handle much of the work on the committees β including a working board. Volunteers are trained with a light on-boarding process and introduced to an area they might be interested in. For example, if you want to learn about First Nations engagement from a leading organization in this domain, you have come to the right place. If you are interested in trails development, have coastal knowledge, and a knack for technology (e.g., can work a simple spreadsheet), we need you! Contact our Helpdesk through our contact page or email our volunteer coordinator directly at volunteer@bcmarinetrails.org to get involved today!
Specific Calls: The communications committee is seeking volunteers with graphic design skills, or public relations experience.
Seeking Gerald Island Volunteers
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Looking for an adventure that's as rewarding as it is fun? Join us from April 11-14 for an unforgettable volunteering experience! We're on a mission to combat invasive English Ivy at Gerald Island, just a paddle away from Nanoose Bay β but we can't do it alone! Whether you've helped at Gerald before or are new to the cause, your help is invaluable. Sign up now to be part of a passionate team making a tangible difference in our coastal ecosystem β join us for a day, two, or the whole trip!
BC Marine Trails is working hard to change the recreational culture from one of presumed allowance to a culture that upholds and respects Indigenous Rights and Title. Historically many culturally significant sites have been used for recreation without any consideration or discussion with local First Nations. Through discussion with Indigenous partners we are updating our map to best reflect which sites we have concurrence for use. Fees are reinvested into stewardship of the territory, guardian programming, recreational infrastructure development, and more.
The Deer Group
A permit is required for overnight use on Huu-ay-aht Treaty Settlement Lands and Private Lands. These are administered by the Huu-ay-aht Governmentβs Lands and Natural Resources Department. Sites requiring permits noted on BCMT's public map. Permit applications here.
Kyuquot Sound
If you are planning on visiting this year, make sure to familiarize yourself with guidelines from the Ka:βyu:βkβtβhβ / Che:kβtles7etβhβ First Nations for visitors in their lands. Nations request that visitors check-in prior to arrival by calling Diana Dragon at 250-287-2775.
Clayoquot Sound
The Ahousaht Stewardship Fund has been created to support the Ahousaht ancestral responsibility to steward and monitor the lands and waters that support their people. Individuals, groups and families visiting the territory can remit their ΚahΜ£uusΚathΜ£ Stewardship Fees herβe.
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The Broughtons
The Mamalilikulla Nation asks visitors to register their visit, and contribute a donation to their Guardian and Stewardship Program. Find out more here.
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Central Coast
The Kitasoo Xai'xais Nation has provided helpful guidelines for visitation within their territory, along with a territory specific map. No permit required.
NOTE: BC Marine Trails has several requirements when placing sites on our map. As a result there may be a discrepancy between our map and other information sources.
Cross Club Meeting, April 2nd
Join us on Zoom (7:00-8:30pm) for an evening of paddle talk! Learn about the latest sites on the BCMT map, volunteer opportunities for the summer, and the latest news from First Nations.
Including a special presentation by Nathan Slater of A Little Paddle.
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From April 16th to September 1st, 2023, Nathan Slater and Sanesh Iyer paddled a pair of sea kayaks from Victoria ,BC to Yakutat, Alaska, covering a distance of 1935 nautical miles (3500km). Their journey led them through remote communities, abandoned industrial towns, natural hot springs, and to the base of North Americaβs largest tidewater glacier.
During the presentation, Nathan will cover highlights (and some lowlights) from the expedition as well as tips and tricks for planning your own sea kayak expedition. Check out their βtrip blogsβ for a sneak peek at some of the stories that may be told!
Copyright (C) 2024 BC Marine Trails. All rights reserved.β You are receiving this e-mail because you either pre-registered as a BCMT member or registered on the Member Central page (accessed by members only). β Our mailing address is 3285 Roper Road Ladysmith, BC, V9G1C4 BC Marine Trails 3285 Roper Road Ladysmith, BC V9G1C4 Canada β Want to change how you receive these emails?
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