6 Min Read • 84 mins ago Four Locals Teaching Us to Love It. Better.

British Columbia is one of the most breathtaking places. But the way we love it is starting to cost us. Trampled trails, trashed campsites, noise, waste, and foot traffic that never lets the land breathe. 

For every impact felt by communities, wildlife, and nature, there are people on the ground helping to find solutions and building the world we all want to live in. So, we asked four BC residents who know these places best. They are athletes, artists, builders, and advocates who do things differently. They move through the land with intention. They give back as much as they take. They love it. Better.

These are their stories … 

Kelkelokik (Sandy Ward) | Lil̓wat7úl Athlete, Guide, and Advocate

Sandy is a Lil̓wat7úl athlete, backcountry guide, & co-founder of Indigenous Women Outdoors. She moves through the land slowly and with intention, absorbing everything around her. As a co-founder of Indigenous Women Outdoors, a professional athlete, and certified backcountry guide, she is dedicated to empowering Indigenous communities to experience nature while raising awareness about the need for deep connection to the lands and waters.

"We are all connected to nature. We are nature. And so when we destroy it, it hurts us."

Kate Zessel | Graphic Designer & Illustrator

Kate draws inspiration from the mountains she calls home. Her art captures full nature scenes featuring animals, peaks, and landscapes. Kate invites people to see themselves within them. Not as visitors passing through, but as part of the landscape itself. She believes the more time you spend outside, the more you notice. And the more you notice, the more you care. Kate surrounds herself with friends who share the same values and hopes to pass this way of living on to the next generation.

"Awareness comes with just spending more time out there. Picking up things if you see them. Having an awareness of where you're putting your feet, understanding how to use your equipment, and knowing the places you're going."

Todd "Digger" Fiander | Trail builder 

Digger is one of the original trail builders who helped Vancouver's North Shore earn its legendary status in the mountain biking world. He learned to love the land from his mother, who took him outside from the time he was young. He continues to build and maintain trails, doing it the right way through his local mountain biking association. The trails he builds welcome everyone—including adaptive bikers—because he believes access to nature helps build communities.

"I want people out in the environment. I want people riding out here, hiking out here, running out here. It's great for the community. It's great for kids."

Kris Cu | Birder & Photographer

Kris, who works with Birds Canada and the BC Bird Trail, knows you don't have to travel to the most remote place on Earth to find something worth protecting. Based in Metro Vancouver, he works to make wildlife and nature accessible to everyone, creating inclusive and welcoming spaces for connection and conservation. Whether it's birds in your backyard or a hike in the mountains, he believes every encounter with the natural world is an opportunity to care for it.

"Having protected areas close to the city allows people to experience nature, not just through a screen. The more that people have a real connection with nature, the more that people want to protect it."

Top 6 things to do when you play outside, so you don't love it to death:

1. Practice fire safety. The mountains are everybody's backyard, and a single spark can change everything. Obey campfire prohibitions when they're in place, follow campfire best practices, and download the BC Wildfire app before you head out. The land needs you to take this one seriously.
2. Go prepared. Bring your common sense. Search and Rescue volunteers give up their weekends so the rest of us can come home safe. Do your part by following the BC AdventureSmart Three Ts: Training, Trip Planning, and Taking the Essentials. Know where you're going, know how to get back, and know what to bring.
3. Pack it in, pack it out. The wilderness is not a landfill, and it's not someone else's problem. Familiarise yourself with the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace, including how to properly dispose of human waste. If you carried it in, you can carry it out.
4. Keep wildlife wild. You are a guest in bear country. Give animals the space they need, keep pets on leash, and never feed or approach wildlife. A fed animal is a dead animal — and the consequences ripple through the whole ecosystem. Visit WildSafeBC to learn how to coexist responsibly.
5. Spread the love. The most popular trails and parks are feeling it. You can help by visiting at off-peak times, exploring lesser-known spots in your region, and planning ahead with public transit, parking, and permits. The best adventure is often the one fewer people know about — and the land will thank you for it.
6. Reduce the spread of invasive species. Invasive species are one of the biggest threats to biodiversity in BC, and we're all spreading them on our adventures without knowing it. Before and after every outing, clean your gear, footwear, pets, and vehicles of plant fragments, seeds, and mud. Follow the Play, Clean, Go principles, and stay on marked trails. The community of people who built and maintain these spaces are counting on you.

Now that you’ve gotten some inspiration from others, it’s time to take action yourself. Know your impact. Find a way that you can be part of the solution. Because when we all love it better, we Don't Love It To Death.