British Columbia Magazine

09/29/2025

A Pacific sea nettle (Chrysaora fuscenscens) floating near Port Hardy. These jellyfish are most often seen in late summer, when warm currents carry them up the coast as far as Alaska.

They play an important role in the ecosystem, feeding on plankton, small fish, and other jellyfish, while in turn providing food for sea turtles, seabirds, and larger fish.

Though their sting can be painful to humans, it isn’t considered dangerous. What’s most striking about them is their size—fully grown sea nettles can have bells nearly 18 inches across with oral arms that stretch more than 12 feet.

📹 Olivias Reef & Port Hardy Diving

09/26/2025

Beavers do more than build dams — they shape entire ecosystems. By creating wetlands, they provide habitat for fish, amphibians, birds, and countless plant species. In Riding Mountain National Park, beavers are responsible for about half the wetlands found there.

Their dams also act as natural water regulators. They slow floods after heavy rains, store water during drought, and filter out pollutants, improving water quality downstream. Wetlands created by beavers even store carbon and help keep landscapes cooler and wetter — a natural buffer against wildfire risk.

Here in B.C., conservation projects are using beaver-inspired methods to restore wetlands and strengthen watersheds. The BC Wildlife Federation’s 10,000 Wetlands project has already built dozens of beaver dam analogues at sites across the province, aiming to bring back lost wetlands and support biodiversity.

Beavers are more than a Canadian symbol — they are key to healthy, resilient ecosystems.

https://www.bcmag.ca/ecosystem-engineers/

09/19/2025

Cody Gray Film & Photography took this dream-like video while on the Berg Lake Trail.

Berg Lake Trail winds 23 km from Mount Robson Provincial Park to the base of Mount Robson, British Columbia’s tallest peak. The trail passes alpine meadows, glaciers, and turquoise lakes, including the striking Berg Lake, fed by meltwater from the Mount Robson Glacier.

Opened in the early 1900s and popularized by early mountaineers, the trail has long been a gateway for hikers seeking challenging terrain and stunning views of the Rockies. Along the way, you’ll see waterfalls, moraines, and wildlife, making it one of BC’s most iconic backcountry experiences.

09/18/2025

Stellar sea lions are the largest of their species in the world, with males weighing up to 1,200 kg. Their loud barks and bellows aren’t random—males use them to defend territory and attract females, while younger sea lions use vocalizations to stay connected within the colony.

These pinnipeds haul out on rocky shores in large, social groups, creating the cacophony you hear in videos like this. Colonies like the ones in the Broughton Archipelago are vital breeding and resting sites, and their noisy presence can carry for hundreds of meters across the water.

🎥 - Rebecca Arwen

09/12/2025

Mt. Tolmie provides a clear view of the ocean, making it a great spot to watch the sun set over the water.

Late summer evenings here highlight the changing light as we move toward fall. Other spots in Victoria for ocean views include Dallas Road, Clover Point, and Mount Douglas.

📹: (via instagram)

09/11/2025

This photo series follows Dominik Modlinski - Artist as he paints scenes familiar to anyone who has driven BC’s backroads—old barns, cabins, and wooden buildings that have stood for generations.

These structures carry stories of work, family, and change. Built from old-growth logs, they show both remarkable craftsmanship and years of repair, each layer adding to their character.

A quiet reminder of the history still standing in our rural landscapes.

09/10/2025

Abbotsford’s Taste of Abby Festival returns Sept. 19–28, bringing 10 days of food, community, and fall charm to the Fraser Valley. 🍂

The festival begins with a Night Market in Jubilee Park on Sept. 19, complete with twinkling lights, live music, and seasonal creations from local chefs, farmers, brewers, and vintners.

Highlights include longtable farm dinners, a movie night at a winery, and the “Taste the Thrill” restaurant contest, where diners have a chance to win a skydiving adventure.

You can also pick up the Taste of Abby Fall Flavours Cookbook, filled with recipes and stories from the Fraser Valley.

Set against Abbotsford’s fertile Sumas and Matsqui Prairies—lands that have sustained life for over 10,000 years—the festival is a true celebration of harvest and community spirit.

📍 Sept. 19–28, 2025 | Jubilee Park + venues across Abbotsford

🔗 Tickets & details: tasteofabby.ca

09/05/2025

In the early 1900s, prospectors uncovered silver, gold, lead, and zinc high in this alpine basin—more than 2,300 metres above sea level. For nearly three decades, the area was mined extensively before being abandoned in 1929. Work briefly resumed in the 1970s with test drilling, but large-scale mining never returned.

Today, remnants of the industry remain scattered across the landscape—tram lines, ore carts, cabin foundations, and tunnels like the one shown here. Standing at the entrance of these shafts offers a reminder of how demanding and dangerous early mining life in BC could be, especially in such remote terrain.

This site is part of the province’s broader “Silvery Slocan” mining history, a boom that shaped entire communities in the Selkirk Mountains and left a legacy still visible on the land.

📸: (via Instagram) captured these shots and shared the story behind them.

09/04/2025

Wake up to harbour views, fresh ocean air, and Vancouver’s vibrant downtown right outside your door. The Westin Bayshore blends resort-style relaxation with easy access to Stanley Park, the seawall, and the city’s top dining at the The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver

book your stay today:

https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/yvrwi-the-westin-bayshore-vancouver/overview/

09/02/2025

Cooler air, quieter trails, and skies bright enough to feel like a planetarium — late-night hikes are becoming one of BC’s most approachable adventures. 🌌

From Manning Park’s Cascade Lookout to official dark-sky sites near Victoria and Abbotsford, you don’t need to venture far for incredible stargazing. Many ski hills now run guided evening snowshoe tours, while regional parks even host family-friendly meteor shower events with telescopes and interpreters.

A few essentials before heading out: check gate hours (many parks close between 9–11 p.m.), stick to familiar trails, pack a red-light headlamp, and bring extra layers for cooler nights.

With the right spot and a little planning, midnight hikes offer one of BC’s simplest bucket-list experiences.

https://www.bcmag.ca/starlit-steps/

The allure is simple: cooler air, quieter trails and a night sky bright enough to turn any lookout into a planetarium. “Astrotourism” is booming worldwide, and British Columbia is perfectly placed to ride the wave – from urban star parks you can reach after dinner to alpine lookouts where the ...