FAQ

Founded in 2018, we are a registered Canadian charity. We are independent and outside of government, but serve as the official charitable partner to BC Parks. Our mission is to create the greatest parks system in the world by protecting beautiful places, restoring ecosystems, increasing people’s access to nature, and inspiring people to connect with and support parks.

BC Parks Foundation is an independent non-profit charity focused on areas where fundraising and community effort can add value over and above government responsibilities. Our activities include conservation, stewardship, interpretation and education, and programs that connect people to nature.

BC Parks Agency is responsible for core park management and operations, including compliance, permitting, and other functions established in legislation.

BC Parks Foundation is an independent registered charity with its own board, governance, and decision-making processes. Board directors are solely responsible for governing the Foundation. There is one Board director who works for BC Parks. They are appointed by the Foundation as an individual, not by the Province as a representative. They have no special voting power and the Board votes on decisions on a majority basis. BC Parks as an agency does not have a veto or ability to make decisions at or for the Foundation.

The Foundation is not financially dependent on the Province of BC, as verified by independent auditors. While it receives grants from the Province for programs, it has diversified revenues, also receiving support from individual donors, foundations, businesses and other governments. The Foundation has an endowment fund that it solely controls, which it uses to fund its governance and core operations.

Licence plate revenue goes directly to the Province/BC Parks in its Park Enhancement Fund. BC Parks directs those funds to park enhancement initiatives, including community-led projects and in-park visitor interpretation. In 2026, more than 100 community-led projects across BC were supported through the Park Enhancement Fund. BC Parks Foundation was one of the recipients, using funding for park interpretation, nature houses, new trails, and other projects. More information about the licence plate program can be found on the official BC Parks website.

Our Board brings together expertise from a variety of industries including conservation, Indigenous law, philanthropy, business, medicine, natural resources and more. This diverse range of perspectives helps us build partnerships and advance our charitable purposes. Any potential conflicts of interest are managed through the Foundation's Conflict Of Interest policy. The policy is similar in content to Conflict of Interest policies used by other major Foundations. Board members recuse themselves from any decision where there may be a personal benefit. All directors serve as unpaid volunteers.

CEO compensation is set by the board based on an independent external review of the market. It is benchmarked against similar positions in organizations of comparable scale, assets under management, and operational complexity.

CEO compensation is mainly funded through the Foundation’s operational endowment. It is not funded through individual donations. 100% of crowdsourced donations for conservation projects go to fund property acquisition costs. Overall administration costs at the Foundation have typically been under 3% of expenses.

The Foundation’s purposes, by-laws and governance manual outline its governance objectives and procedures. Its appointment and decision making processes are similar to most large charitable organizations. Its board members are legally responsible for upholding their fiduciary obligations, including furthering the Foundation's purposes and abiding by its by-laws and policies, including conflict-of-interest. As a registered charity, the Foundation provides accountability and transparency through annual audited financial statements and public CRA filings. Strategic Plans and Annual Reports, are available on our website, and information is also available on CRA’s charity website.

Philanthropic funding complements rather than replaces government budgets. Core park operations remain the responsibility of the Province, while philanthropic support can help advance additional conservation, stewardship, and community-led projects.

Building a large community of support, and showing how much people care about parks, helps governments see the importance of parks to British Columbians and visitors, which can have a positive impact on their budgetary decisions and priorities.

Our annual report, audited financial statements, and CRA filings are all publicly available and provide information about our finances and how funds are used. You can access our annual report and strategic plan on the About Us page.

When we acquire a property, it is permanently protected. Our goal is to safeguard its ecological values while, when appropriate, finding a balance with recreation. We create a site-specific management plan in collaboration with local groups, including First Nations, conservation organizations, community partners, and on-the-ground stewards. These plans outline restoration priorities, access guidelines, ongoing monitoring, and—where suitable—lease agreements that ensure long-term care. We approach this work thoughtfully, and good planning takes time. Updates are shared with donors and in our newsletter as they become available.

A central way we support reconciliation is through the BC Conservation Fund, which provides resources for Indigenous-led conservation and restoration projects across the province.

When private land with ecological or cultural importance comes up for sale, we often need to act quickly to purchase it and prevent development. Once secured, we work to involve local Nations in developing the site-specific management plans that guide its care. Wherever possible, we seek to support Indigenous stewardship and leadership in conservation.

We believe everyone should have the chance to experience the health, joy, and inspiration of nature. Our programs help remove barriers and open doors:

Discover Parks brings Ambassadors into provincial parks to host guided walks, interactive activities, and youth programs like Jerry’s Rangers—helping visitors feel welcome, informed, and inspired.

Healthy By Nature includes initiatives like PaRx, Canada’s first national nature prescription program, as well as Learning by Nature, which creates Nature Parks at schools in BC so kids can learn outside.

The Spark Fund provides small grants to community groups with big ideas for increasing access to nature—supporting projects that are local, inclusive, and tailored to community needs.

Together, these efforts make it easier for people of all ages and backgrounds to connect with BC’s parks and protected areas.

Every donation goes directly toward conservation, restoration, education, and access projects. This includes acquiring and protecting land, restoring habitats, and creating opportunities for people to experience the health and joy of nature.

Donating land helps ensure that ecologically and culturally important places are permanently protected. Land donors leave a lasting legacy by turning private property into a natural treasure, cared for and enjoyed by generations to come.

Volunteers support projects like invasive species removal, trail stewardship, and monitoring ecosystems. You can also take part in community science projects, such as identifying wildlife on remote camera footage or sharing nature observations that contribute to conservation research. Visit our Volunteer page to learn more.

The Spark Fund provides small grants to community groups with creative, local projects that help people connect to nature. Learn more and apply for funding here.

The BC Conservation Fund supports larger-scale conservation and restoration initiatives, with a focus on Indigenous-led projects. Learn more and apply for funding here.

Funding opportunities are not always open, but when they are, you’ll find details and application guidelines posted on our Spark Grants page.

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