British Columbia: Nature in Full

British Columbia is the most geographically and biologically diverse of all the provinces and territories in Canada. Shaped by its topography and climate, it features islands, an extensive rugged coastline, vast mountain ranges, interior plateaus and valleys, a desert, and even volcanoes. These varied and complex landscapes support a great variety of life. From the towering temperate rainforests of the coast to the snowy boreal forests of the northeast, each biome hosts unique plants, animals, and fungi adapted to place. Together these species form resilient ecosystems that sustain healthy soils, filter water, store carbon, regulate local climates, support food webs and provide essential resources we rely on every day.

Our well-being is intrinsically linked to the health of the ecosystems we inhabit. Nature supports our way of living—let’s look after it.

Some of the varied landscapes of British Columbia.

Top to bottom: Hells Gate, where the Fraser River narrows in the southern Fraser Canyon; Emerald Lake, with a view of the President Range of the Canadian Rockies, within Yoho National Park in southeastern BC, near Field; and Sombrio Beach within Juan de Fuca Provincial Park on the southwestern coast of Vancouver Island, near Port Renfrew.

Wondering what you can do to help?

Visit our ever-growing Resource Directory to find links to a range of helpful resources to support your learning and connection to nature!

• Help manage invasive species: Learn to identify invasive species, report them, avoid introducing them and take steps to responsibly remove and dispose of them. Check out the Invasive Species Council of BC for many excellent resources and tools.

• Support native plants: Learn to identify native plants, landscape with them and leave them undisturbed.

• Protect sensitive habitats and species at risk on lands you take care of: Maintain wetlands, consider building fences to protect riparian and other sensitive areas, manage livestock to avoid overgrazing and keep native species safe from your pets.

• Participate in community science: Upload your nature sightings to apps like iNaturalist to help researchers track biodiversity.

• Join an organization or volunteer – here are just a few to get you started:

  • BC Nature: Join one of its 55+ local naturalists clubs across the province to participate in activities and events.

  • BC Parks Foundation: Volunteer to restore habitats and remove invasive species.

  • NatureKids BC: Volunteer, join a local Family Nature Club and attend Explorer Days.