Rangeland used for recreation
Last updated on August 8, 2024An increasing number of people are recreating on rangelands. In particular, back country recreational use grew during the COVID pandemic. With increased recreation comes increased pressure on the grasslands and associated habitats.
Using rangelands responsibly
Stewardship amongst recreationists and organizations dedicated to promoting conservation and stewardship values will help preserve sensitive rangeland ecosystems and the diversity of plants and animals that rangelands support.
Stewardship and conservation of grassland ecosystems depend on managing rangeland activities:
- Guidelines for Recreational Use of Horses on Crown Land (PDF, 6.1MB)
- Best Management Practices for Recreational Activities on Grasslands in the Thompson and Okanagan Basins (PDF, 785KB)
Safety while on rangeland
Safe practices while on rangeland help protect people, wildlife, sensitive ecosystems, livestock and domestic animals. Take care, especially in areas where active logging and hauling are taking place and where there are known predators.
Off-road vehicles
Off-road vehicles (ORVs) are increasingly popular across British Columbia, both for work and leisure. British Columbia’s new Off-Road Vehicle Management Framework promotes the safe and responsible use of ORVs on Crown land.
Recreation sites and trails
Report sightings of invasive species
Report invasive species before they cause harm. Invasive species are plants and animals not naturally found in B.C. that can potentially harm the province's natural environment or adversely affect people's health.
Contact information
Contact your Natural Resource District and Range Officer if you have questions about rangeland use in a specific Natural Resource District. Please direct general questions to:
Forests.RangeBranch@gov.bc.ca
Range.GrazingLeases@gov.bc.ca
Invasive.Plants@gov.bc.ca
Range.Practices@gov.bc.ca