The Province announced on Wednesday how they plan to help pay for the increase of campsites we’ll soon be seeing at various provincial parks across B.C.

Environment Minister Mary Polak and Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone unveiled three new licence plate designs that include the Kermode bear found only in B.C., the snow-capped Purcell Mountains and a view from Porteau Cove overlooking Howe Sound.

In a statement the government says the new specialty plates are part of the B.C. Parks Future Strategy, that will see $22.9 million to build 1,900 new campsites, the seeding of a new B.C. Parks Foundation with a $5-million endowment, and other recreation and conservation initiatives, including hiring more park rangers.

The plates will cost $50.00 for the initial purchase, and $40.00 for each annual renewal. All net proceeds from the sale and ongoing renewals of the licence plates will be re-invested back into provincial parks through the Park Enhancement Fund. The plates will be available to purchase from January 29th.

The funding announcement that came late last year followed numerous reports of overcrowded parking lots, overcrowded trails and a lack of campsites available to British Columbians. The Sea to Sky corridor was no stranger to these issues, with multiple reports and video footage of overcrowding at local provincial parks surfacing on social media last summer. The government also announced an overhaul of the campsite booking system late last year that now sees a rolling 4 month window to book sites.

Filed under: BC Parks, British Columbia, Camping, Campsites, Hiking, Licence Plates, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Transport