New regulatory changes are being made to safeguard the province’s ecological reserves.

“It is important that our provincial legislation gives BC Parks the power to ensure B.C.’s protected spaces are not threatened," said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.

“This updated regulation will help protect B.C.’s critically important biological diversity and safeguard rare and endangered plants and animals in their natural habitat.”

The new Ecological Reserve Regulation will enable compliance and enforcement measures in reserves so individuals conducting illegal activities can be prosecuted or fined. Under the previous regulation, BC Parks lacked the ability to impose penalties on individuals and companies.

B.C. has approximately 158 ecological reserves. While scientific research and education are the primary purposes, most are also open to the public for viewing or photographing wildlife.

Illegal activities have occurred at some ecological reserves, such as tree theft to sell as firewood, built structures, and camping and access by vehicle without proper permits.

The previous regulations did not allow BC Parks rangers and other enforcement staff to issue fines for these offences.

To see the full release, visit Government of British Columbia.