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604-291-9990
1-888-881-2293
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The BCWF would like to acknowlege the on-going support of the
BC Government.
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The BC Wildlife Federation is a province-wide voluntary
conservation organization of hunters, anglers and recreational shooters,
representing all British Columbians whose aims are to protect, enhance and
promote the wise use of the environment for the benefit of present and future
generations.
The B.C. Wildlife Federation was incorporated under the B.C. Societies Act in
1951 and it became a registered charity in 1969. The Federation is British Columbia's
largest and oldest conservation organization.
1. To ensure the sound, long-term management of
British Columbia's fish, wildlife, park and outdoor recreational resources
in the best interests of all British Columbians, and to coordinate all the
voluntary agencies, societies, clubs and individuals interested in that objective, and
2. To develop and support a comprehensive educational program to make all
British Columbians aware of the value of British Columbia's fish, wildlife,
park and outdoor recreational resources, and to arouse in the public conscience
a recognition of, and a respect for, the place of fish, wildlife and outdoor
recreation in the wise integrated use of the nation's natural resources.
The Federation's membership is made up of about 133 separate
and distinct clubs from throughout British Columbia, ten Regional Associations, and
direct members, for a collective membership of about 30,000. This number contrasts
with almost half a million hunters and anglers in British Columbia.
The activities of the Federation are grouped under
different committees.
Each committee is headed by a chairman who is appointed by the president and who is
responsible for coordinating the efforts of member clubs, regional associations, and
direct members with respect to conservation issues relating to fish, wildlife, and
the environment for the people of British Columbia. The members of these committees
are mostly members of member clubs.
Read the History of the BCWF
BCWF Board of Directors
BCWF Past Presidents
BCWF Constitution
BCWF Policies from various committees
Read current and past Press Releases
Get a complete contact list of our organization
Annual BCWF Awards
Job Postings with the BCWF
Visit our Conservation Foundation website
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The Federation's origins can be traced back
to the 1890's when some of its currently operating clubs were formed. Some
were called Fish and Game clubs, while some were called Fish and Game Protective
Associations. In those days, the management of British Columbia's fish and
wildlife was managed for the province by one person who was a provincial
employee known as the Chief Game Warden. That management of fish and wildlife
was a cooperative affair between the clubs and the Chief Game Warden.
During the 1930s and the 1940s the province operated the management of fish
and wildlife under their department known as the B.C. Game Commission. They
divided the province into various "zones" such as the Vancouver Island zone;
the Lower Mainland zone, etc. The B.C. Game Commission in each zone then
consulted with the clubs in their respective zones in order to manage the
fish and wildlife resource for the benefit of the greater community.
In 1947, the B.C. Game Commission decided to try a new approach to this
consultation method and established a scientific management proposal for fish
and wildlife resource handling in British Columbia by calling a convention of
all fish and game clubs in the province - with the costs being borne by the
province (this bearing of costs carried on for ten years). They requested
that all clubs be joined together by one body to ease the burden of consultations.
The first convention formed the "Sportsmen's Council"whose role was to assist
the B.C. Game Commission in managing the fish and wildlife resource for all
people of the British Columbia. The Council's first incorporation was in 1951.
In 1956, the name was changed to the B.C. Federation of Fish and Game Clubs and
a new constitution was adopted. In 1958 and again in 1965, the B.C. Federation of
Fish and Game Clubs applied for recognition as a charitable organization.
In 1966, the Federation changed its name to the B.C. Wildlife Federation and
adopted a new constitution. This name change represented more clearly the fact
that the Federation was involved in all ways with conservation of fish and wildlife
and the environment for the benefit of everyone. The Federation is still growing,
and as a result, its constitution is still evolving - the last constitutional
change was in 1989 - however the primary aims and objectives from 1966 still
remain unchanged. |
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