Conservation Committee
This small but dedicated group reviews matters relating to mountain
access and wilderness conservation, and prepares letters and/or
detailed submissions to Government stating our position. In
order to become familiar with complex issues, members generally
read reports and attend meetings with government and/or other public
outdoor recreation groups.
Some members of our committee attend the meetings of the Recreation
and Conservation Committee (Rec & Con) of the
Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC (FMCBC). Guest
speakers at these meetings may include representatives from BC Assets
and Lands Corporation (BCAL), BC Parks, BC Forest
Service, BC Environment Assessment Office, and so on. We can
receive helpful advice from these people for making our views known
to Government, which assists our committee members in improving
their lobbying. The BCMC frequently has the largest number
of members attending the Rec & Con meetings, so the interests
of the BCMC are well represented at these meetings and in submissions
made by the FMCBC to the various government agencies.
The FMCBC is recognized as the primary contact by the various government
agencies for issues relating to non-commercial, non-motorized back-country
recreation and the mountaineering community. Therefore, requests
for public input on land planning issues, new legislation, Crown
land tenure applications, etc. are received by them.
The BCMC Conservation Committee either makes submissions under
the "umbrella" of the FMCBC or as the BCMC itself, depending
on the nature and source of the request for submissions, and our
ability to poll members.
|
