Know Your Impact.
Respect and Protect Our Communities.
The Places We Love Are Being Loved To Death
Visitors and residents are inspired by the beauty and easy access to recreation in British Columbia. But increased visitor presence in natural spaces and a growing population has led many communities to feel the pressures.
Are You Responsible?
Disrespectful, negligent, and inconsiderate behaviour is threatening the places we love. Having access to beautiful spaces and vibrant communities is a privilege—one we will lose if we don’t change our ways. It’s time to roll up our sleeves and do something about it. (That means you too, locals and residents).
We are all guests on these lands and waters. Respect the people, wildlife, natural spaces, and communities by exploring mindfully.
Explore British Columbia and enjoy everything this magnificent province has to offer. Just...
Bad House Guest
You wouldn't behave disrespectfully in a friend's home. So, why do it in nature? Watch our Bad House Guest series, starring Katie Burrell.
What's Your Impact?
Have you noticed any of these negative impacts? And more importantly, did your behaviour cause any of them? Learn more about the challenges facing our communities and find out how you can be part of the solution.
1 Garbage And Human Waste
The improper disposal of human waste and garbage is harmful to humans, the environment, and wildlife.
- Face masks collected by Vancouver plogger David Papineau
- 40,000
- Kilograms of trash removed by Divers for Cleaner Lakes and Oceans since 2013
- 27,954
2 Human-Wildlife Conflict
People and pets getting too close to wildlife can lead to conflict, injury, and death.
- Number of black bears euthanized in BC in 2023, up from 493 in 2022
- 603
- BC Parks reservations impacted by bear closures in 2022
- 814
3 Unsafe Behaviour, Lack Of Preparedness
Unprepared outdoor adventurists put themselves and others at risk of becoming a Search & Rescue or death statistic.
- Search and Rescue incidents per year in BC
- 1,750
- Volunteer hours spent annually on SAR call-outs, training, administration and SAR prevention in 2022
- 441,019
4 Lack of Respect - People & Environment
From trampling on trails to human-caused wildfires, disrespectful behaviour is creating conflict between user groups and damage to the environment and communities.
- Percentage of human-caused wildfires in BC
- 42%
5 Trespassing & Disrespectful Use
Disrespect for sensitive ecosystems, Indigenous land, cultural sites, and private property, is hurting communities, wildlife and the environment
6 Overcrowding, Overuse & Traffic
Increased visitation is causing traffic woes, parking issues, overcrowding, and overuse in recreational areas and urban environments.
Learn more about the issues in our communities and how you can be part of the solution.
Spotlights & Features
Discover community stories and find new ways to minimize your impact.
2 Min Read • 18 days ago 2024 Responsible Recreation Survey Results
In April 2024, we invited outdoor enthusiasts in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region to participate in a responsible recreation survey. We received more than 700 responses and 2,850 written comments, which exceeded expectations. Our research partner, Larose Research & Strategy has spent the summer analyzing these results and we've compiled our findings into an executive summary.
11 Min Read • 5 months ago This Long Weekend, Don't Love It To Death
With May Long Weekend just around the corner, the responsible recreation awareness campaign, Don’t Love It to Death, aims to inspire residents and visitors to make better decisions when recreating outdoors. Now in its second year since launching in July 2022, the Don't Love It To Death awareness campaign reveals the impacts of bad behaviour and gives recreationists the tools and knowledge to protect and preserve the places they love.
Join the Conversation
Help us spread the word. Tag, Like and Share.
@dontloveittodeath
#DontLoveItToDeath
See What Others Are Saying
Our online community shares how poor behaviour is impacting BC communities and inspires us with creative solutions to change things for the better.
Sign Up & Stay Involved
Join our mailing list to stay up to date with ways to reduce impacts, spread the word, and be a part of the solution.
Partners
This project is supported by the following partners:
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.