Young people drawn to working outdoors and environmental stewardship can get their applications in now for this summer’s BC Parks student ranger program.
For the 2021 season student rangers will be working in: Chilliwack (Cultus Lake Provincial Park), Victoria (Goldstream Provincial Park), Black Creek (Miracle Beach Provincial Park), Squamish (Alice Lake Provincial Park) , Cranbrook, Penticton, Hagensborg, Williams Lake, Prince George, Fort St. John, Terrace and Smithers.
This summer 48 young rangers will be hired to work in teams of four in B.C.’s parks and protected areas, providing hands-on work experience on projects related to conservation, recreation, community outreach and Indigenous relations.
“Our spectacular park system provides exceptional recreational opportunities and plays a critical role in preserving ecology, celebrating culture and honouring history,” said B.C. environment minister George Heyman. “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.”
With federal and provincial funding, the program will see the rangers-in-training tackling diverse works from ecosystem restoration, invasive species control, outdoor education, trail building and infrastructure maintenance.
“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.”
Offered to young adults aged 18 to 30, eligible candidates must be enrolled in full-time studies during the past academic year with the intention of returning to full-time studies in the fall. To support employment equity and diversity in the workplace, the program encourages applicants from all groups, including Indigenous peoples.
Applications will be accepted until Feb. 21, 2021, for student rangers
READ MORE: Parks closed when tourism paused
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