Caribou Recovery and Recreation Access Discussed During BC Legislature Budget Estimates
Caribou recovery, recreation access, and wildlife management were again discussed in the Legislature this week during the May 5 Budget Estimates debate between Donegal Wilson, MLA for Boundary-Similkameen, and Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Randene Neill.
During the session, government highlighted several recent investments into species recovery and wildlife management programs, including:
$9.3 million invested into caribou recovery initiatives last year
$2 million invested into spotted owl recovery
$1.2 million invested across other species-at-risk programs
Approximately $1.5 million spent on predator management efforts, including the cull of 266 wolves and six cougars
Government also reported increases in several caribou herds, including the Quintette herd growing from 68 animals in 2017 to 173 today, and the Kennedy Siding herd increasing from 63 to 166 animals.
The discussion also returned to the Province’s evolving approach to recreation access management within caribou habitat.
MLA Wilson raised concerns regarding the move away from adaptive access management — an approach that uses field data, wildlife collar tracking, and real-time monitoring to inform flexible recreation access decisions — toward broader permanent or seasonal closures based on predicted habitat presence.
The BC Snowmobile Federation has worked alongside government, First Nations, scientists, and stakeholders on adaptive management initiatives across British Columbia and continues to believe that evidence-based decision making informed by actual field data is critical to achieving meaningful conservation outcomes while supporting responsible public access and recreation opportunities.
BCSF appreciates both MLA Wilson and Minister Neill for their continued discussion and engagement on these important and complex issues.
Support the RideOnBC Land Access Fund
Land use and wildlife management decisions are increasingly shaping the future of snowmobiling access in British Columbia.
The RideOnBC Land Access Fund helps ensure the snowmobiling community has the resources to participate in consultation processes, support science and research initiatives, and advocate for practical, evidence-based recreation management.
Help ensure snowmobilers continue to have a voice at the table.
