A Brief History of Sierra Club BC

In 1969, a small but dedicated group of British Columbians launched a campaign to protect the magnificent forests and lakes of the Nitinat Triangle and West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island. There were no Canadian environmental groups working on forest and wilderness issues at that time, so they joined forces with the US Sierra Club. That energetic group became the first Sierra Club affiliate in Canada, later joining the national Sierra Club of Canada when it was formed.

Sierra Club BC has blossomed over the past several decades. One of our greatest strengths, rooted in our 40-year history in B.C., is our ability to mobilize people in constructive action to protect ecosystems and wild spaces. At the heart of our grassroots organization are people from all over the province who are deeply committed to safeguarding B.C.’s wild places and promoting the responsible use of our natural resources.

Sierra Club local groups around B.C. defend old-growth forests and ecosystems, help combat global warming and safeguard our clean air and water. Sierra Club BC staff meet regularly with government and business to ensure conservation viewpoints are heard, and to provide input on policy and budget decisions that affect the environment. Our grassroots base, science-based policies and pragmatism have helped to protect millions of hectares of B.C. wilderness.