Outdoors and Recreation

Sport fisherman hunting predator fish. Outdoor fishing in river during sunrise. Hunting and hobby sport.

Head outdoors this summer with Outdoors West!

New magazine shares the how-to and where-to of exploring Western Canada’s great outdoors

Sport fisherman hunting predator fish. Outdoor fishing in river during sunrise. Hunting and hobby sport.
Birder Geoffrey Newell, 25, spots and identifies birds flying overhead in a clearing around Uplands Park early on Saturday, July 31. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

Talented birder resumes immersive tours at Oak Bay’s Cattle Point

52 bird species spotted by dozens of attendees during first bird walk in months

Birder Geoffrey Newell, 25, spots and identifies birds flying overhead in a clearing around Uplands Park early on Saturday, July 31. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)
Local artist Gillian Redwood and avid local pianist Carl Ivey pose with a painted piano at Turkey Head during a past summer. (Courtesy of Oak Bay Parks, Recreation and Culture)

August to see return of community painted pianos in Oak Bay

Play your favourite tunes outdoors this summer, in five different locations

Local artist Gillian Redwood and avid local pianist Carl Ivey pose with a painted piano at Turkey Head during a past summer. (Courtesy of Oak Bay Parks, Recreation and Culture)
A permanent good quality public disc golf course is currently nonexistent in Greater Victoria, advocates say, despite various courses being accessible elsewhere on the south Island. (Photo by Michael Kiesz)

Greater Victoria disc golf enthusiasts keen to create quality public course

Region lacks publicly accessible facility suitable for all levels: disc golf society president

A permanent good quality public disc golf course is currently nonexistent in Greater Victoria, advocates say, despite various courses being accessible elsewhere on the south Island. (Photo by Michael Kiesz)
Soul Shakers lead singer Joyce Allensen hits a high note while performing with guitarist Sean McCool before the public at Willows Park on July 22. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Oak Bay rocks at Willows Beach with Soul Shakers

With COVID-19 case numbers down locally, reassured residents come together to dance and celebrate

Soul Shakers lead singer Joyce Allensen hits a high note while performing with guitarist Sean McCool before the public at Willows Park on July 22. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)
Sooke ATV Club members collected a dumpster load of garabhe, including an abandoned boat, while doing a cleanup along Anderson Road near Muir Creek on July 17. (Contributed - Sooke ATV Club)

Sooke ATV Club gives back by cleaning up

Derelict boat, household and construction waste part of cleanup effort

Sooke ATV Club members collected a dumpster load of garabhe, including an abandoned boat, while doing a cleanup along Anderson Road near Muir Creek on July 17. (Contributed - Sooke ATV Club)
The Habitat Acquisition Trust’s fundraising efforts to acquire the nearly-50-acre Mountain Road Forest, in partnership with the CRD, have accomplished their purpose. (Black Press Media file photo)

Late donations help HAT reach goal to buy Saanich’s Mountain Road Forest with CRD

Community bands together to protect wooded property; 1,400-plus donors contribute over $1 million

The Habitat Acquisition Trust’s fundraising efforts to acquire the nearly-50-acre Mountain Road Forest, in partnership with the CRD, have accomplished their purpose. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Tube Shack in Lake Cowichan is opening a second location this year. (File photo)

The Tube Shack opening second location in Lake Cowichan

Cowabunga Tubes will be on North Shore Road

The Tube Shack in Lake Cowichan is opening a second location this year. (File photo)
(Metro Creative photo)

Youth summer fishing challenge: Go fishing, take a photo, then enter to win!

Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC’s contest returns this summer

  • May 31, 2021
(Metro Creative photo)
B.C.’s Family Fishing Weekend is coming up June 18 to 20.

BC’s Family Fishing Weekend returns June 18 to 20

Get ready with a free Family Fishing Webinar Series June 12

B.C.’s Family Fishing Weekend is coming up June 18 to 20.
The City of Nanaimo has developed concepts for an extension of the Harbourfront Walkway from Departure Bay ferry terminal to Departure Bay Beach. (City of Nanaimo image)

Concept plans developed for waterfront walkway extension in Nanaimo

Project would connect Departure Bay Beach with Departure Bay ferry terminal

The City of Nanaimo has developed concepts for an extension of the Harbourfront Walkway from Departure Bay ferry terminal to Departure Bay Beach. (City of Nanaimo image)
A rider traverses the newly opened trail known as 90s Jank, built within the Hartland system by volunteers with the South Island Mountain Bike Society. (Youtube/MTB Matt)

Mountain bikers celebrate first new trail in years on Saanich’s Mount Work

90s Jank trail a product of licence agreement between CRD and mountain bike society

A rider traverses the newly opened trail known as 90s Jank, built within the Hartland system by volunteers with the South Island Mountain Bike Society. (Youtube/MTB Matt)
Repairs had to be made to this culvert and a section of the Cowichan Valley Trail after a sinkhole and washout. (Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure)

Washout filled, upgraded Cowichan Valley Trail ready for hikers

Trail significantly damaged after culvert failure in 2020

Repairs had to be made to this culvert and a section of the Cowichan Valley Trail after a sinkhole and washout. (Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure)
Professor John Reynolds, from SFU, does salmon research at the Bamfield Marine Science Centre in the summer. He is also chair of COSEWIC (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada). (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

You too can be a citizen scientist with new app

SFU talks about how a smartphone app is helping preserve nature

  • Apr 11, 2021
Professor John Reynolds, from SFU, does salmon research at the Bamfield Marine Science Centre in the summer. He is also chair of COSEWIC (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada). (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Dogs on duty: Avalanche rescue dog in training Sadie (above) learning about obedience with her owner and handler, Steve Morrison at the Fernie Alpine Resort, and Drift (right) who is FAR’s newest CARDA-certified dog. More pictures, story on page 8.

PHOTOS: Meet Fernie’s team of avalanche rescue dogs

There are five avalance rescue dogs at Fernie Alpine Resort

Dogs on duty: Avalanche rescue dog in training Sadie (above) learning about obedience with her owner and handler, Steve Morrison at the Fernie Alpine Resort, and Drift (right) who is FAR’s newest CARDA-certified dog. More pictures, story on page 8.
A gate closes off a forestry service road near Campbell River. Photo by Marc Kitteringham, Campbell River Mirror

Kitteringham: Vancouver Islanders need the Right to Roam

Change the law and give people the right to explore unhindered

A gate closes off a forestry service road near Campbell River. Photo by Marc Kitteringham, Campbell River Mirror
Three-year-old Adia Leidums skiing at Fernie Alpine Resort. (Image courtesy of Erich Leidums)

Fernie toddler wins hearts with adorable skiing pep-talks

Three-year-old Adia Leidums is world-famous after being mic’d-up by her dad as she skis Fernie Alpine Resort

Three-year-old Adia Leidums skiing at Fernie Alpine Resort. (Image courtesy of Erich Leidums)
A locked gate prevents access to a logging road on Mosaic Forests land in 2017. (ELENA RARDON/ Alberni Valley News)

Pilot project aimed at keeping access open to Vancouver Island back country

Trial access plan in Alberni could provide template for other Mosiac forestry roads and properties

A locked gate prevents access to a logging road on Mosaic Forests land in 2017. (ELENA RARDON/ Alberni Valley News)
Eric Hjorliefson, Mark Abma and Chris Rubens climb for their powder on Mount Cain. (Matchstick Productions image)

VIDEO: New Mt. Cain documentary eye-candy for powder lovers

Filmed before COVID, film hearkens back to crowded fires and mask-free life

Eric Hjorliefson, Mark Abma and Chris Rubens climb for their powder on Mount Cain. (Matchstick Productions image)
Loveland Bay Provincial Park, located on the north side of Campbell Lake, will see some improvements this year as part of the BC Parks and StrongerBC grant. Photo courtesy Google Maps

Loveland Bay and 23 other B.C. parks to see funding and improvements in 2021

Three other coastal parks included in funding

Loveland Bay Provincial Park, located on the north side of Campbell Lake, will see some improvements this year as part of the BC Parks and StrongerBC grant. Photo courtesy Google Maps