Spark Grants

Initiatives
Initiatives
- Parks Bank
  Supporting the purchase of private lands important to communities, wildlife, and climate mitigation.
- Healthy by Nature
  Boosting Canadians’ health and learning in conjunction with doctors, health care professionals, and educators across Canada.
- Discover Parks
  Adding outdoor recreational experiences and facilities so that everyone can enjoy parks safely and responsibly.
- BC Conservation Fund
  Supporting the long-term conservation of priority biodiverse landscapes across BC by working together with the Province, First Nations, and many other partners.
- Community Science
  Empowering British Columbians and visitors with accessible tools to contribute to a living picture of the animals, plants and other elements that sustain life.
- PaRx
  PaRx is Canada’s national nature prescription program. From boosting energy and focus to reducing anxiety, time in nature is a powerful prescription for a healthier, happier life.
- Spark Grants
  Providing small grants to community groups to help them cover the real costs of getting outside and into BC's parks.
- 30x30
  Working with First Nations, local communities, and people like you to protect what matters most.
Explore all of our initiatives and join us in areas most meaningful to you.
View all initiatives
Participate
Participate
- Donate
  Keep parks thriving.
- Shop
  Wear your love for parks.
- Subscribe and follow
  Stay connected to parks.
- Make a wish for nature
  Every wish plants a seed for the future.
- Become a partner
  Create lasting impact.
- Volunteer
  Give back in nature.
- Careers
  Help shape the future of parks.
There are many ways to help, each offering a unique opportunity to contribute and make a difference.
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Updates
About
About

Overview

Everyone outside, no obstacles

Grounded in research showing that time in nature improves mental and physical well-being, Spark Grants help ensure that more people can enjoy BC’s great outdoors. The truth is, not everyone can just go hiking. For many community-led groups, getting out into BC’s parks takes more than just the desire to go. It requires time, coordination, and resources.

Spark Grants help turn these visions into reality by providing small grants to help cover real costs: transportation to remote sites, gear like hiking poles and proper footwear, nourishment for long days outside, and providing gifts of thanks to people who act as guides.

Goals & objectives

About us

Remove barriers to access

Getting outside should be simple and joyful. Through Spark funding, we provide small grants that cover the real costs—like rides, gear, food, and honouring those who guide the way—so that everyone can enjoy time together in BC’s parks.

Improve health and well-being of British Columbians and BC Park visitors

People who spend at least two hours in nature each week report significantly better health and wellbeing. Spark Grant recipients have spent more than 155,000 hours outdoors in BC’s parks, time that translates into healthier and happier lives.

Advance knowledge and stewardship

Spark Grant recipients have already spent more than 155,000 hours on the land, collecting nature observations, restoring ecosystems, and contributing to community science. These efforts grow our collective knowledge and strengthen the care of BC’s parks.

Amplify the impact of BC Parks Foundation across BC

We want parks across the province to be alive with community energy. Places where people gather, restore, and celebrate nature. Through Spark Grants, communities and individuals everywhere can share in the health, joy, and inspiration of time outside.

Initiative highlights

85K

Community science observations collected.

Children play in the leaves with a swingset

Two people inspect and admire a tall tree in a leafy forest

Want to get involved?

Your gift helps remove barriers and support programs that bring more people into BC’s parks.

Donate Now

Enjoy forever

Read Their Story

"Every time you step outside, it’s like an Etch-a-Sketch. The land has a way of pulling you into the now."

For the Stó:lō women of Thélá:ylexwawtxw Foundation—The House of Life Givers, the Spark Fund helped bring the Footsteps of Our Ancestors hiking series to life. Together, aunties, sisters, mothers, and grandmothers have walked hundreds of hours on their traditional territory, honouring their ancestors and finding renewal in the land.

From the first snow of the season falling softly through the forest, to moments of deep healing for women carrying heavy burdens, each hike is a reminder of the strength and connection that comes from being on the land. By supporting community-led programs like this, we help ensure more people can experience nature’s power to heal, connect, and inspire.