Young adults interested in learning a diverse range of job skills while working outdoors this summer can now apply for the BC Parks Student Ranger Program.
Now in its second year, the Student Ranger Program provides 48 young adults with training and employment opportunities in B.C.’s parks and protected areas, with a 30 per cent Indigenous hiring target.
“The student rangers play a key role in environmental stewardship while preserving the natural, cultural and historical values that British Columbians cherish,” says George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “I hope the program inspires young adults to consider a meaningful and rewarding career looking after B.C.’s beautiful parks and protected areas.”
Funded by the federal and provincial governments, the Student Ranger Program offers hands-on work experience related to conservation, recreation, community outreach, and Indigenous relations. Their work focuses on a variety of meaningful projects, such as ecosystem restoration, invasive species control, trail building and maintenance, and outdoor education.
For the 2019 season, 12 crews of four student rangers will work in regions throughout the province, including Prince George, Fort St. John, Terrace, Bella Coola, Williams Lake, Manning Park, Cranbrook, Kamloops, Victoria (Goldstream Provincial Park), Black Creek, North Vancouver, and Sechelt (Porpoise Bay Provincial Park). Crew lead positions begin May 13 and crew members begin May 26, wrapping up at the end of August.
Offered to young adults aged 18 to 30, eligible candidates must be enrolled in full-time studies in the past academic year with the intention of returning to full-time studies in the fall. Applications will be accepted until Feb. 24.
The Student Ranger Program was the first program established with proceeds from the sales of BC Parks specialty licence plates. So far, nearly 130,000 licence plates have been sold, generating $4.14 million towards protecting and preserving provincial parks.
To learn more about the BC Parks Student Ranger Program, including job requirements and the application form, visit http://bit.ly/2FFigMh. For more information about the BC Parks Licence Plate Program, visit http://bit.ly/2W6jntq. To learn more about BC Parks, visit www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/.
editorial@accjournal.ca
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