For Immediate Release 2017ENV0028-000886 March 28, 2017 NEWS RELEASE Introducing the board of the new BC Parks Foundation VICTORIA An iconic wildlife painter, an internationally recognized leader in the renewable energy industry and a recipient of the Order of British Columbia known for her advocacy work with Aboriginal peoples are among the board members of the new BC Parks Foundation. The 10 members of the BC Parks Foundation board are: Karla Rockwell (board chair) Robert Bateman Ross Beaty Ric Careless Les Doiron Dana Hayden Daniel Johnston Eric Peterson Sophie Pierre Jim Standen The BC Parks Foundation will help generate private revenue, to be spent on promoting and enhancing the experience in BC Parks. Independent of government, the foundation strives to ensure the provincial parks system is valued and protected for generations to come. British Columbians and beyond are encouraged to contribute to help preserve the ecological, recreational and cultural values of B.C. s worldclass parks system. The foundation is based on four key principles: 1. Protecting parks, including strategic land acquisition, funding for ecological and cultural conservation and restoration projects, and funding research projects aimed at better understanding biological and ecological diversity and how to better respond and adapt to climate change. 2. Connecting people to parks, including funding for educational and cultural programming, collaborative marketing campaigns, and programs that will lead to increasing attendance, increasing accessibility for persons with disabilities, and attracting new park users. 3. Inspiring people to become stewards of B.C. parks, including volunteer programs, engaging and inspiring youth and harnessing British Columbians passion for wild spaces. 4. Enhancing the ability to harness the full potential of parks, including strategic infrastructure enhancements (e.g., field research stations) and programs directed at increasing visitor experience and their understanding of the history of B.C. s parks, their
cultural importance, and the scientific opportunities associated with them. In February 2017, the Province announced $10 million as an initial endowment to the BC Parks Foundation, as part of a broader investment of $35 million over the next three years to increase and strengthen conservation in B.C. s world renowned parks. This funding is part of the BC Parks Future Strategy, which was first announced by Premier Christy Clark in November 2016, and will also result in 28 more full-time park rangers, and new programs to promote and protect the environment. In addition to the conservation funding, the Province is investing $22.9 million to build 1,900 new campsites in provincial parks and recreation sites, incorporating accessible design standards and, most recently, launched a series of licence plates depicting Ministry of Environment scenes from B.C.s parks and recreation areas. To date, more than 12,000 BC Parks licence plates have been sold since the plates became available for purchase at Autoplan broker stores on Jan. 29, 2017. Quotes: Mary Polak, Minister of Environment The BC Parks Foundation will help generate additional funding to support our beautiful provincial parks and protected areas for future generations. Individuals, families, community groups and others will now have the opportunity to contribute to protecting and preserving our world-renowned parks system. Karla Rockwell, board chair, BC Parks Foundation It is the common passion and deep appreciation for B.C.'s magnificent park system that has inspired us to serve on the BC Parks Foundation board. The foundation will provide another avenue for British Columbians who share that passion to support our provincial parks. Quick Facts: B.C. s provincial parks receive more than 21 million visits each year. Parking is free in all provincial parks, making them more accessible to families. BC Parks manages the third-largest parks system in North America behind the United States National Park Service and Parks Canada. British Columbia has the highest percentage of its land base dedicated to protected areas of all provincial Canadian jurisdictions. B.C. offers a range of camping experiences in provincial parks, as well as recreation sites. Over the past five years, the Province has invested approximately $60 million in park facilities, delivering projects directed at attracting young families, offering new recreation opportunities and increasing attendance. Learn More: BC Parks Foundation: www.bcparksfoundation.ca BC Parks, and to view the BC Parks Future Strategy, visit: www.bcparks.ca BC Parks: www.bcparks.ca
A backgrounder follows. Media Contact: Media Relations 250 953-3834 Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect
For Immediate Release 2017ENV0028-000886 March 28, 2017 BACKGROUNDER Biographies of BC Parks Foundation board members For further information on all of the board members, please visit: www.bcparksfoundation.ca Karla Rockwell Karla Rockwell is a human resources, recruitment and organizational development leader with over 30 years experience in the private, public and non-profit sector in both specialist and generalist roles. Earlier in her career, Rockwell managed a search firm and led physician recruitment and engagement with the Fraser Health Authority. Robert Bateman Artist and naturalist Robert Bateman s honours, awards and honorary doctorates are numerous. He was made Officer of the Order of Canada, Canada s highest civilian award, in 1984. He has received the Queen Elizabeth Silver Jubilee Medal, 1977; Artist of the Year, American Artist magazine, 1980; Member of Honour Award, World Wildlife Fund, 1985; the Governor General Award for Conservation, 1987; the Order of British Columbia, 2001; and the Queen s Jubilee Medal, 2002. Ross Beaty Ross Beaty is a geologist and resource entrepreneur with over 45 years of experience in the international minerals and renewable energy industries. A graduate of the University of British Columbia in geology and law and Imperial College in geology, Beaty is an internationally recognized leader in both non-renewable and renewable resource development. Ric Careless For more than 50 years, Ric Careless has been a passionate advocate for British Columbia's world-class parks and wilderness. During this time, he has led citizen s campaigns that have protected four million hectares throughout British Columbia. Les Doiron Les Doiron is a citizen and the second President of the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government (Ucluelet First Nation) one of five distinct First Nation of the Maa-nulth Treaty, which is the first moderntreaty to be concluded on Vancouver Island, and the first multi-nation treaty concluded under the British Columbia Treaty Commission process. Dana Hayden Dana Hayden is an accomplished leader who has provided expertise for private and public
organizations through Hayden Consulting Services. Her areas of focus are natural resource development, international trade, property development and governance. Daniel Johnston Daniel Johnston, a lawyer, is a conflict prevention and resolution specialist who deals with a wide range of complex, multi-party, Aboriginal, commercial, environmental, land use, and public policy issues. Examples of Johnston s mediation work include the Great Bear Rainforest (over a 17-year period), BC Hydro s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Committee, the Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement, and numerous issues associated with finfish aquaculture in B.C. Eric Peterson Eric Peterson originally trained as a scientist (biology PhD), but his main career was spent as a technology entrepreneur, then as founder and chairman for the B.C.-based Tula Foundation, and director of Tula s Hakai Institute. Sophie Pierre Sophie Pierre was the elected chief of the St. Mary s Band for 30 years, served on the Ktunaxa- Kinbasket Tribal Council for 25 years and was the Chief Commissioner of the B.C. Treaty Commission. She has been awarded two honorary doctorates, was appointed to the Order of B.C. in 1994 and to the Order of Canada in 2016. In addition, Sophie Pierre has received the Queen s Golden Jubilee medal and the National Aboriginal Achievement Award in business. Jim Standen Jim Standen has more than 25 years experience working in the and is currently the assistant deputy minister of BC Parks & Conservation Officer Service. Standen was also a trustee on the Saanich Board of Education from 2005-2014. Media Contact: Media Relations 250 953-3834 Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect