- Intro
- Site Maintenance
- Invasive species
- Site Condition Reporting
- Environmental Program
- Plastics cleanup
- Volunteering
- Past work
- Future work
Intro
Introduction
The central vision of the BC Marine Trails is to link the entire B.C. coastline through marine routes and land sites for safe and sustainable water-based public recreation. The Caring for our trails program has several key components: site maintenance (helping maintain our recreation sites), Environmental Care Program, invasive species removal (i.e. Gerald Island), Site Condition Reporting, and a West Coast Plastics clean up.
Site Maintenance
The BC Marine Trails this year worked with the Comox Valley Paddlers at five recreation sites. The first trip involved both Styrofoam/debris removal and assessment of Danger Trees. This assessment also includes examining the trees for important wildlife.
Invasive species
The BCMT has made a cause of removing invasive species on one provincial park, Gerald Island, to remove English Ivy. This will help protect the Coastal Wood Fern, a blue-listed species, and other plant species. The English Ivy introduced by a pioneer family occupies the southwest end of Gerald Island. We have conducted removal of the ivy for three years.
We are slowly building up partnerships with this particular effort and hope through discussions and engagement with First Nations, as well as with a biologist to establish best practices. The partnerships may include students from Vancouver Island University helping with the invasive species removal. Please 
see our report for April 2019 on this Spring’s clean up.
The burning of the ivy was recommended by other environmental organizations. Also, due to its weight and volume it couldn't be easily moved to a landfill, where it would be burnt. Gerald Island is on the Salish Sea Marine Trail.
Site Condition Reporting
Find the SCR form here to report on site conditions. On one of your BC coastal adventures be our Eyes and Ears and fill in a Site Condtion Report. Fill the form above or visit our Site Condition Reporting Page for more information. On our map (within each popup box) there is a link to Site Condition Reports. This is very handy.
We normally sponsor a contest annually for Site Condition Reporting but we cancelled this contest during the COVID-19 pandemic. Site Condition Reports also assist the BCMT in finding plastics concentrations.
Environmental Program
The BCMT researched and developed a comprehensive Environmental Care Program in 2019/early 2020 which will be implemented over the next two or three years.
Marine Code of Conduct: In 2019 and 2020 a marine Code of Conduct was developed by John Kimantas and a team of BC Marine Trails volunteers. Hundreds of hours of staff and volunteer hours helped bring this important piece of work forward. Until September 2020 the Code will be peer reviewed. Please go to our contact page and leave a message if you are interested in participating. We are getting wide participation from universities, paddling clubs, individuals and organizations.
- Site Environment Public Education Program: Depending on funding we hope to develop a public education program based on the research completed in 2019-2020.
Plastics cleanup
Recently (Sept 4, 2020) our partner, Rugged Coast Research Group, received permissions to clean up Yellow Bluff Bay area (opposite Catala Island) from First Nations. It's been difficult to plan this year due to COVID-19. Each trip organized by the BCMT is extensively organized. Two BCMT members will attend a Sept 10 - 14, 2020 clean up. In 2021, we hope to continue in a supportive role to Rugged Coast Research Group and supply volunteers and funds to help do this important job.Volunteering
While the BCMT follows a general standard of practice for volunteers, we have had difficulty this year within the COVID-19 pandemic, organizing trips. As volunteer activities become available we will check our volunteer database and send out information as needed. However, we need to have events and activities, which have been difficult to organize during the pandemic.
We organize clean ups, invasive species removal and some maintenance trips. These trips require a fair amount of organization, generally in the Spring, and are subject to change due to weather, availability of trip leaders, and other requirements.
Future work
Stewardship committee plans for 2020:- Surfers Beach West Coast Vancouver clean up - cancelled until 2021
- Invasive species removal Gerald Island - Fall 2020
- Maintenance in Discovery Island - camping, maintenance - Spring and Summer 2020
- Site Condition Reporting contest (cancelled due to COVID-19)
- peer review of the marine Code of Conduct (ongoing into fall 2020)