Launch of Adventure Hub provides new online resource for outdoor enthusiasts

Launch of Adventure Hub provides new online resource for outdoor enthusiasts

Sidney, B.C. – BCSARA is excited to announce the launch of the Adventure Hub – a new online custom-built platform designed for recreation users in British Columbia. What is the Adventure Hub? A free online custom database for outdoor enthusiasts to explore new...
Search and rescue groups provide an enduring lifeline for British Columbia

Search and rescue groups provide an enduring lifeline for British Columbia

Sidney, B.C. – With 75% of British Columbia covered in mountains and 64% of it forested, B.C.’s diverse beauty and climate ramps up the challenges that ground search and rescue (GSAR) groups face. Between mountainous terrain, extreme weather and swiftly-changing...
Top 10 Hiking Trails Requiring Search and Rescue

Top 10 Hiking Trails Requiring Search and Rescue

Each year, the BC Search and Rescue Association (BCSARA) intends on sharing the top 10 hiking trails with the most search and rescue (SAR) calls, in the hopes of helping recreationalists make better decisions before heading outdoors. After reviewing the data from...
Search and rescue calls fall to pre-pandemic levels in B.C.

Search and rescue calls fall to pre-pandemic levels in B.C.

Sidney, B.C. – The BC Search and Rescue Association (BCSARA) is pleased to share that search and rescue (SAR) callouts have dropped from 2,100 requests for help in 2021 to 1,500 calls in 2022 – showing a definite return to pre-pandemic levels. Due to its mountainous...
Keremeos SAR Group Closes Due to Lack of Volunteers

Keremeos SAR Group Closes Due to Lack of Volunteers

The last two remaining members of the Keremeos ground search and rescue group have made the very difficult decision to close the group down. Rose Koehler and Darrell Taylor, a husband and wife team that had been involved with Keremeos SAR since its restart in 2009,...
Keremeos SAR Group Closes Due to Lack of Volunteers

New provincial funding disbursed to B.C. search and rescue teams

All 2022 funding received from the B.C. Government has now been disbursed to ground search and rescue (GSAR) groups across the province.  This is our first year to receive sustainable provincial funding and we thank the Province for its support.  This...
Positive Impact of Media Coverage on Long Weekend Trail Use

Positive Impact of Media Coverage on Long Weekend Trail Use

BC Search and Rescue Association (BCSARA) wishes to thank the public and the media for sharing and viewing our new trail safety video series which appears to have had a profound impact on the number of search and rescue deployments over the May long weekend. The video...
Trail Video Series Launched to Reduce Search and Rescue Calls

Trail Video Series Launched to Reduce Search and Rescue Calls

Sidney, B.C. – With the May long weekend approaching and our historical call volume already at a record high, the BC Search and Rescue Association (BCSARA) through its program, BC AdventureSmart, is delighted to officially launch a series of videos that illustrate the...
2021 John MacGregor Memorial Award

2021 John MacGregor Memorial Award

Central Fraser Valley Search and Rescue (CFVSAR) has been awarded the 2021 John MacGregor Memorial Award for the extraordinary effort it took to save over 200 lives during the November, 2021 atmospheric storm event that flooded much of the central Fraser valley. The...
Remembering Lives Lost: Search and Rescue Volunteer Memorial Day

Remembering Lives Lost: Search and Rescue Volunteer Memorial Day

Victoria – For release on March 2, 2022Today, marks Search and Rescue Volunteer Memorial Day in British Columbia. Representatives from the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue, BC Search and Rescue Association, the Provincial Emergency Program (PEP) Air, Coastal...