Supporting Clubs, Strengthening Trails, and Building Community Across BC

Each year, the Federation of Mountain Clubs of British Columbia (FMCBC) is proud to offer grant funding to help our member clubs pursue community-driven outdoor projects that advance trail maintenance, environmental stewardship, backcountry access, and inclusive recreation.

This year, we received a record number of thoughtful, inspiring proposals from clubs across the province, and we’re thrilled to announce our 2025 FMCBC Grant Recipients! Thanks to an expanded grant pool of $6,000, seven clubs will receive funding to support on-the-ground projects that reflect FMCBC’s mission to protect and maintain public access to BC’s backcountry for generations to come.

Please join us in congratulating the following clubs and exploring their important work:

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1. Fraser Headwaters Alliance (FHA)

Project: Maintaining the Historic Goat River Trail

Grant Awarded: $1,000

The Fraser Headwaters Alliance is restoring a remote section of the historic Goat River Trail—an integral part of the National Hiking Trail system in BC. With the help of a six-person volunteer crew, the project will involve helicopter access to upgrade 10 km of wilderness trail through a pristine watershed between Bowron Lake and West Twin Provincial Parks. Restoration efforts will include removing deadfall, reestablishing trail markers, and ensuring safe passage for hikers in this old-growth region teeming with biodiversity.

2. Bulkley Backcountry Ski Society (BBSS)

Project: Ashman Ridge Backcountry Cabin Construction
Grant Awarded: $1,000

BBSS is addressing the growing need for backcountry infrastructure in the Bulkley Valley by replacing an aging shelter at Ashman Ridge with a purpose-built backcountry cabin. The 320 sq. ft. structure will offer safe, year-round, human-powered access to one of the region’s premier skiing and hiking destinations. With a wood stove, cooking amenities, solar lighting, and a sleeping loft, the cabin will benefit residents, tourists, and local businesses while encouraging responsible recreation.

Learn more about BBSS here on their website.

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3. Williams Lake Climbing Association (WLCA)

Project: Climbing Equipment Library & Youth Programming
Grant Awarded: $700

This grassroots climbing group is using their grant to purchase safety equipment to support affordable introductory climbing events for underserved and Indigenous youth in Williams Lake and surrounding communities. With new gear, including helmets, harnesses, and belay devices, the club will be able to host outdoor climbing clinics and create long-term access to climbing for those who may otherwise face barriers to entry.

Their first funded clinic will take place on June 6 with Denisiqi Services Society—a great example of the impact of accessible programming in action.

Find out more about WLCA here on their website.

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4. Vancouver Island Trail Association (VITA)

Project: Trail Visibility & Volunteer Recruitment for the Vancouver Island Trail

Grant Awarded: $1,000

Covering over 800 km from Victoria to Cape Scott, the Vancouver Island Trail is a monumental achievement in long-distance trail building, but maintenance is key. VITA is launching a two-part initiative:

  1. Replace faded or missing decals to improve wayfinding and hiker safety, and;
  2. Build a broader volunteer base through a digital engagement campaign targeting new volunteers, youth, and underrepresented trail users.

Through this project, VITA is ensuring trail visibility, safety, and stewardship for years to come.

Learn more about VITA on their website.

5. Mountain Mentors (MM)

Project: Backcountry Mentorship & Safety Training for Marginalized Genders
Grant Awarded: $800

Mountain Mentors connects individuals of marginalized genders with experienced backcountry mentors to grow their confidence, safety, and skills through one-on-one relationships and community-based learning. FMCBC funding will support essential avalanche safety and wilderness first aid training, helping make backcountry education more financially accessible and inclusive.

Their winter programming, serving over 60 participants, helps transform representation and leadership in outdoor spaces through skill-building, mentorship, and shared experience.

Find out more on the Mountain Mentors website.

6. qathet Parks and Wilderness Society (qPAWS)

Project: Annual Maintenance of the Sunshine Coast Trail
Grant Awarded: $1000

The longest hut-to-hut hiking trail in Canada, the Sunshine Coast Trail spans 180 km of non-motorized wilderness. This year, qPAWS is dedicating funds to support its legendary “Dirt Monkeys” volunteer crew, who maintain the trail and its facilities year-round.

FMCBC’s grant will help cover materials, tool repair, travel costs, and other essentials for trail brushing, signage repair, and hut upkeep, ensuring this beloved route remains safe and open for the thousands of hikers who explore it every year.

Learn more on the qPAWS website.

7. Chilliwack Outdoor Club (COC)

Project: Trail Equipment for Paleface Pass Maintenance
Grant Awarded: $500

With over 2,300 volunteer hours logged annually, the Chilliwack Outdoor Club maintains more than 90 km of trails from Vedder Mountain to the Coquihalla. This year, they identified a need for hedge trimmers to manage regrowth along the Paleface Pass, where brush-cutting will help restore trail usability and safety.

This modest equipment purchase supports a mighty community-led trail crew, ensuring ongoing access for self-powered hikers and cyclists in the region.

Check out the COC’s website to learn more about them.

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A Shared Vision: Supporting Community-Led Outdoor Access

This year’s grant recipients represent the diverse spirit of FMCBC member clubs—from hut construction in the north to mentorship in the south, and from remote trail maintenance to public education and inclusion initiatives. What unites them is their dedication to accessible, sustainable, and self-propelled outdoor recreation in British Columbia.

The 2025 FMCBC Grant Program is made possible thanks to our members, volunteers, and partners who help steward BC’s backcountry, including generous donations.

We’re proud to support these incredible initiatives, and we can’t wait to follow each club’s progress in our Grants in Action Spotlight Series launching this summer.

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