Applications are now open for the BC Parks Student Ranger Program. It will allow 48 young adults to work through the summer in B.C.’s parks and protected areas, doing conservation, community outreach, recreation, and Indigenous relations.
“The meaningful work completed each year by student rangers has a lasting impact on our parks and protected areas and is an important part of renewing our BC Parks workforce and capacity,” said George Heyman, minister of environment and climate strategy.
The program involves 12 crews of four student rangers throughout B.C. and is funded jointly by the federal and provincial governments. The teams focus on initiatives including ecosystem restoration, invasive species control, outdoor education, trail building and infrastructure, according to the province.
Eligible candidates must be enrolled in full-time studies in the past academic year, with intentions of returning to studies in the fall. Applications are open to adults aged 18–30.
“Providing young adults with the opportunity and skill set to maintain and protect our parks is critical to training the next generation of environmental stewards in British Columbia,” said Kelly Greene, parliamentary secretary for environment. “This program will build on our commitment to move British Columbia to a greener and more environmentally sustainable future.”
Student rangers will be based in Victoria, Black Creek, Squamish, Chilliwack, Cranbrook, Penticton, Hagensborg, Williams Lake, Prince George, Fort St. John, Terrace and Smithers for the 2021 season. The province said two additional crews may be located in the Liard area and Dease Lake in northern B.C.
Chloe Sandahl has been a student ranger for two seasons on Vancouver Island and in Maple Ridge.
“The experience of being a student ranger was incredibly valuable. BC Parks was really supportive of entrusting crews with meaningful projects, therefore this program feels as if my generation is being passed a torch,” she said.
