BC RESIDENTS INVITED TO 'MAKE THEIR MARK'

MAKE YOUR MARK
FOR A BC PARK

BC Parks is launching a program that will make it easy for every British Columbian to leave a legacy in their favourite provincial park during B.C.’s 150th anniversary.

“With the largest provincial parks system in Canada, there are many opportunities for individuals to contribute to their favourite parks,” said Environment Minister Barry Penner. “That’s why I’m inviting every British Columbian to consider supporting a provincial park through the new ‘Make Your Mark – For a BC Park’ program.”

Whether the public would like to sponsor a commemorative bench, picnic table or contribute to a tree-planting project in their local campground, the ‘Make Your Mark – For a BC Park’ program makes it easy. Interested sponsors can access all sponsorship opportunities, costs and other information through the BC Parks website by clicking on the ‘Make Your Mark – For a BC Park’ link.

“Visitors from around the world come to B.C. to spend time in our beautiful parks,” said Bill Bennett, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts. “This innovative program allows British Columbians to welcome visitors to BC Parks in their own way.”

The B.C. government continues to make significant investments in the BC Parks system, including capital funding of about $83 million over the past four years to improve park facilities and acquire new lands. Since 2001, the provincial government has established 57 new parks, 129 conservancies, one ecological reserve and eight protected areas, and expanded almost 50 parks and six ecological reserves, protecting more than 1.8 million hectares. Today, 14.26 per cent (or more than 13.5 million hectares) of British Columbia is protected – more than any other province in Canada.

The ‘Make Your Mark – For a BC Park’ program is another way for British Columbians to personally take part and share in the benefits of the best park system in the world.

To learn more about this exciting new program, please visit www.bcparks.ca. For information about BC150, please visit www.bc150years.ca.