Our History

1990: BCMTA

In the 1990s, Peter McGee, author of Kayak Routes of the Pacific Northwest Coast, introduced the concept of a linear route connecting Washington State to Alaska. To make this vision a reality, he gathered support within the paddling community and formed the BC Marine Trails Association (BCMTA). This group created our first two sites: a campsite at Blackberry Point on Valdez Island, complete with a fine composting toilet, and a rest stop on Saltspring Island. Despite enormous support from paddlers and companies, funding constraints and limited public interest meant the time was not quite right for BCMTA to take hold and the association folded. However, the concept of marine trails did not die.

 

2007 - 2015

Fast forward to 2007. With increasing private and commercial interest in limited site locations, the need for advocacy to protect public access to these places continued to grow. In March 2009, the BC Marine Trails Network Association (BCMTNA) was formed as a society. Composed of 8 directors and a ‘task force’ of representatives from 9 paddling clubs and other advisors, and led by then president, Stephanie Meinke, the BCMTNA began the massive task of identifying potential sites along the BC coastline, estimated to be over 27,000 km in length.

It’s important to note that the first association was trying to connect Washington State to Alaska through a long trail called the Inside Passage Marine Trail. The current association is a ‘network of trails’.

2015 - 2022

In 2015/2016 the BCMT was reorganized into committees: Trails Development, Stewardship and Communications under the leadership of Paul Grey and board members. Concurrently, BCMT finances were re-organized online. In 2016, the BCMT also received its charitable status.

In 2018 the First Nations Working Group (now called First Nations Engagement Committee) was established. It was made a standing committee in 2022. The BCMT recognized that strong and respectful relationships with First Nations will allow paddlers to confidently pursue travel along the BC coast.

The Trails Development committee (TDC) throughout this period developed a safety mandate to establish minimum criteria for safe and contiguous travel. Today they are using an ArcGIS heatmap system to analyze gaps in the trails. The TDC oversees 16 recreation or recreation reserve sites including infrastructure (e.g. toilets, tent platforms, signs) and two BC Parks.
 
In 2021, the board adopted our Marine Trail Code of Conduct, an important document to guide our association’s behaviour. Our stewardship committee and stewardship coordinator began a pilot education program around the code in 2021. This committee also has completed many clean ups and helped maintain multiple recreation sites.
 
Throughout 2021/22 the IT team re-invented our website and mapping systems.