\nContributed –\nApr 10, 2020 \/ 12:07 pm | Story:\n296960\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With self-isolation, physical distancing, restrictions on travel and a\n number of us facing an uncertain future related to our employment, \nBritish Columbians are looking to nature as an outlet to relieve some \nstress. Hiking, hunting and fishing are some of the finest ways to \nrecharge your body and mind. These activities will improve your sense of\n being, help you reconnect with your kids and disconnect from your \nelectronics; the great thing is these activities can be enjoyed \nresponsibly while practicing physical distancing. Unfortunately, the \nrecent closure of BC Parks has put your ability to go out and enjoy \nnature responsibly at risk \u2013 and it could get worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The most significant issues started in the most populous parts of the\n province where thousands of people flooded Provincial Parks. \nRestrictions were followed by closures in a few parks, but it was not \nenough to ensure public health objectives could be met. Overflowing \nparking lots, trash being left, and people crowding each other looked \nmore like a spring break party than a park. Having a Parks budget which \nhas been on life support for decades, and less than a handful of staff \nto monitor tens of thousands of people resulted in the closure of all BC\n Parks. While a kneejerk reaction, it certainly shows just how poorly a \njob BC has been doing funding, managing and staffing our provincial \nparks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the snow melts and the days get warmer, more and more people will \nbe looking to BC\u2019s wilderness for a reprieve. We all need to be mindful \nthat further restrictions could be placed in BC, including a full \nbackcountry closure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you\u2019re thinking about enjoying some sunshine, a fish on the end \nof the line, a turkey or bear hunting trip, or the sound of a male \nruffed grouse drumming, here are a few tips to keep in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Make sure you stay local. Small town BC does not want to see out of \ntowners at their gas pumps, convenience stores, or hotels, and they do \nnot have the health care infrastructure to deal with a COVID outbreak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hike, hunt and fish only with people who live in your household. \nThat does not mean go out with your neighbour, friend, sister, brother \nor aunt and maintain physical distance \u2013 it means only go with people \nwho live in your house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Practice physical distancing. Boat launches and trailheads will be \nespecially busy. Give people extra space and time to load and unload, be\n courteous and aware that we\u2019re all stressed due to COVID-19. Have a \nbackup plan; if your first spot is busy, continue to a different area or\n pick a less busy time when there are fewer people. If you\u2019re feeling \nsick at all, stay home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While BC Provincial Parks are closed, there are still a number of \nareas and lakes which remain open. There are simply not enough BC Parks\n staff, Conservation Officers or the Natural Resource Officers to \nmonitor or educate British Columbians in outdoor settings, so you\u2019re \nbasically on your own. It might take an extra 30 minutes to get to your \nfavourite hiking trail or fishing spot, but remember, that\u2019s better than\n not being able to go at all. It only takes a few to wreck if for the \nmany, so please make sure you\u2019re doing your best to ensure we can all \nreconnect with nature responsibly this spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jesse Zeman, BC Wildlife Federation director of fish and wildlife restoration<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Enjoy wilderness responsibly Contributed – Apr 10, 2020 \/ 12:07 pm | Story: 296960 With self-isolation, physical distancing, restrictions on travel and a number of us facing an uncertain future […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-44","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.nrgcbc.ca\/conservationconcerns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.nrgcbc.ca\/conservationconcerns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.nrgcbc.ca\/conservationconcerns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.nrgcbc.ca\/conservationconcerns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.nrgcbc.ca\/conservationconcerns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=44"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/www.nrgcbc.ca\/conservationconcerns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":45,"href":"http:\/\/www.nrgcbc.ca\/conservationconcerns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44\/revisions\/45"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.nrgcbc.ca\/conservationconcerns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=44"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.nrgcbc.ca\/conservationconcerns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=44"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.nrgcbc.ca\/conservationconcerns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=44"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}