Discover the Impacts. Find Solutions.
Humans are loving our favourite natural spaces to death.
We have all witnessed the impacts of poor behaviour, from trash left on trails to recreation sites closed due to disrespect for the environment and wildlife. Learn more about the issues facing our communities and discover tips for reducing your impact and being more mindful when you’re out there.
Be the change you’d like to see in your community.
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.