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Supporting projects in B.C. through Off-Road Vehicle Trail Fund

Press Release

May 26, 2026

VICTORIA –

Summary

  • In 2026, as much as $500,000 from the Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Trail Fund will support 24 projects throughout the province
  • The projects include building new trails, maintaining existing trails and promoting safe and responsible use among riders
  • Most projects are led by volunteer groups and community organizations that contribute thousands of hours to enhance outdoor recreation for residents and visitors

Several volunteer groups and community organizations improving trails and safety for people who ride off-road vehicles are receiving a financial boost for their efforts.

In 2026, as much as $500,000 from the Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Trail Fund will support 24 projects that include building and maintaining trails or promoting safe and responsible use among riders.

“Outdoor recreation is increasingly recognized as essential to our well-being, community connection and regional economic development,” said Tamara Davidson, Minister of Environment and Parks. “The ORV Trail Fund helps remove financial barriers for communities and volunteer groups that dedicate thousands of hours to maintaining trail networks, ensuring they remain safe, accessible and sustainable for years to come.”

Projects mainly led by volunteer groups

The ORV Trail Fund is a partnership between government and local groups that regularly use off-road vehicle trails for snowmobiles, ATVs and dirt bikes. Projects supported by the fund are mainly led by volunteer groups and community organizations. One of those groups is the Nadsilnich Lake Community Association, which received $14,025 from the ORV Trail Fund for maintenance and upgrades to the West Lake Recreation Trail.

Located southwest of Prince George, the trail has been maintained by volunteers since the 1980s and supports year-round, multi-use recreation, such as snowmobiling, ATV use, hiking, biking and equestrian access. The funding will be used to complete brushing, install culverts, replace signs and address deteriorating trail conditions to improve safety and protect environmentally sensitive areas.

“The ORV trail funding will greatly enhance the work of our volunteers by assisting with contractor costs and materials,” said Keith Monroe, director of trails, Nadsilnich Lake Community Association. “This will allow much-needed trail maintenance, enhance safety and environmental protection, and provide better year-round usage.”

ORV Trail Fund in its ninth year

Two other community organizations the ORV Trail Fund is supporting this year include:

  • Valemount and Area Recreation Development Association (VARDA), which was awarded $25,000 to contribute to a much larger bridge repair, led by the Ministry of Forests, in the Clemina Creek area. The funding helps keep a forest service road connection open to a managed trail system, reducing the risk of riders going into unsafe or unauthorized areas.
  • Vernon Snowmobile Association, which received $13,692 for trail brushing within the Trinity Ricardo Recreation Site. Making the trail wider and improving visibility enhances safety for motorized vehicle users in winter. It also supports year-round access for hikers, mountain bikers and First Nations communities.

The ORV Trail Fund, which is in its ninth year, is a user-funded program administered by Recreation Sites and Trails BC in partnership with the BC Power Sports Coalition. The fund is supported by ICBC off-road vehicle registration fees throughout the province. Since its beginning in 2017, more than $2.5 million has supported 184 projects in B.C.

Quotes:

Grant Anderson, director, Vernon Snowmobile Association –

“Funding from the Off‑Road Vehicle Trail Fund will enable the Vernon Snowmobile Association to carry out essential trail clearing and brushing, improving safety and access across our managed trail network. This work will help ensure trails remain open and passable for responsible recreation while also supporting First Nations access to traditional lands for cultural, harvesting and stewardship activities. The funding strengthens partnerships and promotes shared, respectful use of the landscape for all users.”

Curtis Pawliuk, executive director, VARDA –

“We are extremely grateful to the Province and the Off-Road Vehicle Trail Fund for supporting this important infrastructure project in the Clemina Creek area. This funding helps protect long-term access to one of our region’s key snowmobile destinations while improving rider safety and supporting responsible recreation management. Infrastructure investments like this are critical to organizations like VARDA as we work to maintain sustainable, high-quality trail systems that benefit public recreation, tourism and our local economy for many years to come.”

Learn More:

Contact:

Ministry of Environment and Parks
Media Relations
envmedia@gov.bc.ca
250-953-3834

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