Surrey – A new province-wide coalition is calling on the government to reestablish the province as a world leader in fish, wildlife, and habitat management. The Fish, Wildlife, and Habitat Coalition represent a diverse array of interests who all share common concerns about the decline of fish, wildlife, and habitat including environmental and conservation organizations, hunting and angling guides, wildlife viewing, ecotourism, naturalists, hunters, anglers, and trappers. Together, the group is seeking a commitment from the province to invest in healthy landscapes, waters, and fish and wildlife stewardship, in partnership with First Nations and communities. The Fish, Wildlife, and Habitat Coalition recognizes and respects the constitutionally protected rights of Indigenous peoples and the collective commitment to advancing reconciliation.
The Fish, Wildlife, and Habitat Coalition will work to promote solutions guided by science and Traditional Ecological Knowledge for improved management of species and habitat in B.C. These will include:
- Creating legislation that protects fish, wildlife, and habitat;
- Integrating the needs of fish, wildlife, and habitat into new and existing legislation;
- Increasing funding and creating a new governance model for fish, wildlife, and habitat management.
Fish, Wildlife and Habitat Coalition members include:
- Backcountry Hunters and Anglers British Columbia
- BC Federation of Fly Fishers
- BC Fishing Tourism Association
- BC Trappers Association
- B.C. Wildlife Federation
- Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – BC Chapter
- Fraser Valley Angling Guides Association
- Fraser Valley Salmon Society
- Georgia Strait Alliance
- Commercial Bear Viewing Association of BC
- Coast to Cascades Grizzly Bear Initiative
- British Columbia Federation of Drift Fishers
- Ducks Unlimited Canada
- Guide Outfitters Association of British Columbia
- Outdoor Recreation Council of BC
- Hunters for BC – SCI
- The Steelhead Society of BC
- Traditional Bowhunters British Columbia
- United Bowhunters
- Watershed Watch Salmon Society
- Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia
- Wilderness Tourism Association of BC
- Wildsight
- Wildlife Stewardship Council
- Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative
