The BC Marine Parks Forever Society is an offshoot of the Council of BC Yacht Clubs cbcyachtclubs.org, representing 15,000 boaters. The Society is non profit and an all volunteer run organization with members on both sides of the Canada/U.S. border. The organization is mandated to acquire lands and improve facilities in marine parks. Since it’s inception in 1990, 2.4 million dollars have been raised, and this money has been spent on the establishment or expansion of 13 marine parks. Funds for this work come from yacht clubs, individual boaters, and estate legacies.
Over the years the Society has worked with BC Parks to place 194 stern ties in 14 anchorages. Stern ties facilitate anchoring while avoiding damage to shoreline trees and the intertidal sea floor. Most recently 8 new stern ties have been placed in the Cowichan Valley Regional District’s Bute Island marine park, and two mooring buoys have been placed at Parks Canada’s D’Arcy Island marine park. Discussions are ongoing with BC Parks, the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, and regional districts to do more.
The Society’s 2024 program is likely to be affected by uncertainties with the management of crown lands, waterfront and water lot tenures. The Ladysmith Maritime Society’s loss of tenure, the stringent Pender Harbour and Sunshine Coast Dock Management Plan, and the loss of moorage at Mosquito Creek in North Vancouver have all raised concerns in the boating community. The Council of BC Yacht Clubs is actively tracking these issues.
There are a number of ways to contribute to improving our marine parks and protecting our marine assets, including financial support. Active participation from boaters is essential for the Society to maintain this important work. A tax receipt for financial contributions in Canadian or U.S. dollars is available from the Society as detailed on the website at bcmpfs.ca. Information on marine parks and the location of stern ties and mooring buoys can also be found on the website.
Submitted by BC Marine Parks Forever Society
Header Photo by Lorena Landon
