Captain Manning (Minister Penner) assists interpreters at EC Manning Provincial Park with handing out prizes at Parks Day Jeopardy Game Show.

Interpretation in BC Parks
BC Nature assisted with Park Interpretation in Provincial Parks during summer 2009. Over 107,000 park visitors participated in programs and communications with park naturalists. BC Nature hired 14 summer students interpreters, with assistance from the federal government's summer student program and from the private Park Facility Operators. In addition, BC Nature assisted BC Parks staff with coordination of an additional 10 interpretation positions through the Ministry of Environment's Conservation Corp program. In total 24 interpretive positions were funded in 15 BC Parks: Goldstream, Rathtrevor, Miracle Beach, Porteau Cove, Alice Lake, Sasquatch, Cultus, Manning, Lac Le Jeune, Wells Gray, Shuswap/Scotch Creek, Kokanee Creek, Lakelse, Mt Robson or Liard Hotsprings. Read the season end report (2.6 MB).

Background: In 2002, BC Parks saw budget cuts that eliminated the park interpretation programs in BC’s provincial parks. Following two years without interpretation programming, there was a desperate need to bring back a voice for nature education, for family fun and outings in nature. In 2004, BC Nature became involved in sponsoring Interpreters in BC Parks. 

Since then, BC Nature has sponsored summer students through federal government programs and with support from the private Park Facility Operators who operate the frontcountry facilities in BC parks. The Park Facility Operators provide senior interpreters to train and mentor the summer students and provide site orientation, safety and security for the summer students.

In 2006, BC Parks became involved by sponsoring Conservation Corps positions and providing staff to assist with training.

In summer 2008, 37 park interpreter positions were provided in 26 BC Parks campgrounds and day use areas, through partnerships initiated by BC Nature with Park Facility Operators, BC Parks, Conservation Corps, BC Conservation Foundation and Service Canada summer student program. Approximately 133,000 visitors attended programs, including evening campground programs, day time walks, children’s Jerry’s Rangers programs and special events.

BC Nature would especially like to thank the Victoria Foundation for a generous grant to hire Interpreters to deliver school programs during the fall 2008 salmon run at Goldstream Provincial Park. See report.  For fall and winter 2009, the Victoria Foundation has once again provided a grant to ensure program delivery to school groups at Goldstream.