BC Rivers Day is an annual celebration held on the fourth Sunday of September to promote the importance of British Columbia's rivers and watersheds. It was established in 1980 by ORCBC and outdoor enthusiast and river conservationist Mark Angelo.
The grants are for river-related events on or around September 22nd that celebrate and build public awareness for British Columbia’s waterways.
The goals of BC Rivers Day include:
- Promoting recreational enjoyment of rivers
- Public awareness of water benefits and/or issues
- Encouraging environmental stewardship
- Celebrating natural heritage
- Indigenous community involvement
- Fostering community engagement and collaboration
- Inclusivity
- Responsible recreation education
- Other community benefits
BC Rivers Day typically features a variety of events and activities, such as clean-ups and invasive species pulls, educational workshops, recreational activities, and community celebrations, all aimed at fostering a greater appreciation and responsibility towards BC's rivers.
WHO CAN APPLY
To be eligible to apply, you must meet the following criteria.
1. Be hosting a river-related event on or around September 22nd that celebrates or builds public awareness for British Columbia’s waterways.
2. Be an eligible organization which includes
- Registered non-profit organizations or charities working in outdoor recreation, waterway protection or environmental stewardship
- Local Governments
- Indigenous Governments
3. If applicable, have obtained any required permissions from the landowner/manager.- Some events may require permissions. As an event host, it is your responsibility to ensure you have the necessary permission from the landowner or land manager to host the event.
Preference is given to:
- Projects that take place within BC Parks
- ORCBC members
- Projects that demonstrate clear links to outdoor recreation
- Collaborative events
- Clear tie to BC Rivers Day goals
ELIGIBLE EXPENSES
Funds must be used for your event’s pre-approved expenses as described in your application. Funds can help pay for a variety of expenses including tools, supplies, equipment, food, rental, materials, honorariums for Indigenous knowledge and other items essential to the event.
Funds cannot be used for:
- Events outside of B.C.
- Activities that primarily provide financial benefits for individuals
- Commercial interests
- Payment to volunteers
HOW TO APPLYBefore applying, please register your event here: https://orcbc.squarespace.com/add-an-event.
Then, use the form below to apply for a grant. It's very simple and will only take a couple of minutes. Don't forget to click 'submit'! The application deadline is Sunday, August 18, 2024 and decisions will be announced by email within a week.
HOW IT WORKS
Once ORCBC has approved your application for event funding and the event has been held, you will receive the micro-grant. As part of the deliverables, you are expected to submit:
- A short summary or list of the event outcomes
- Photos for ORCBC to share
All paperwork must be completed by October 4, 2024. Once all wrap-up pieces are submitted, a cheque will be sent to you. As a reminder, we will send a follow-up email with a list of the required pieces you’ll need to send in to receive your reimbursement.
MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
Questions? Please reach out to us via email at info@orcbc.ca.
BC RIVERS DAY SUPPORTERS
ORCBC is grateful to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy through the BC Parks Licence Plate Program, TD Friends of the Environment, and Fortis BC.
