Sea-to-Sky communities are urging B.C. residents to take care of the natural landscapes they love through a new B次元官网网址淒onB次元官网网址檛 Love It to DeathB次元官网网址� campaign.

After observing an exponential increase in litter, wildlife conflicts and environmental degradation caused by human behaviour, and illegal land use throughout the Sea-to-Sky region, the Sea-to-Sky Destination Management Council is launching a marketing campaign advising residents and visitors to tread lightly and minimize their social and environmental impact.

Starting this month, those travelling the Sea-to-Sky Corridor, which spans from North Vancouver and Bowen Island north through Lillooet, will see signs in visitor centres, parks, trail-heads and beaches, reminding themto be aware of their impact.

B次元官网网址淲e all have a duty of care to protect our natural environment and cultural heritage for future generations,B次元官网网址� said Tourism Squamish executive director Lesley Weeks in a media release. B次元官网网址淯ltimately, we want to instill an ethic of accountability and respect among locals, outdoor enthusiasts and the travelling public so that everyone can enjoy the many opportunities this majestic region has to offer.B次元官网网址�

The campaign, developed by Whistler marketing agency Origin, will include printed materials provided to local businesses, posters, , and a program, @dontloveittodeath. The campaignB次元官网网址檚 includes practical resources on how people can reduce their footprint by enjoying the outdoors and community assets in a responsible, sustainable, and legal manner.

The Sea-to-Sky Corridor is feeling the pressure of sustained growth and a growing visitor presence. Traffic has increased five per cent every year since 2006.

Excessive litter topped the list of nine B次元官网网址減ain pointsB次元官网网址� identified by approximately 600 Sea-to-Sky community leaders and residents who responded to two surveys and participated in 12 stakeholder input sessions.

Additional concerns include human waste, trespassing and damage to Indigenous cultural sites, and a spike in search and rescue calls.

In March, Divers for Cleaner Lakes and Oceans removed 516 kilos of garbage off Bowen Island in just one day. North Shore Rescue received 226 calls for assistance in 2021, beating the previous annual record of 151 set in 2020. Bear-related incidents have also increased due to attempts to access food at recreation sites.

Mary-Ann Booth, mayor of West Vancouver said it is the proximity to the natural beauty of this area that makes the Sea-to-Sky corridor region such an amazing place to live and visit and users have to play their part in maintaining it.

B次元官网网址淚t can be as simple as taking your refuse with you when you see garbage receptacles overflowing, so it doesnB次元官网网址檛 attract wildlife and condition them to enter the area,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淩eflecting on the Indigenous values and teachings of living with a B次元官网网址榣eave it better than you found itB次元官网网址� approach, we show our respect for the shared lands, the wildlife, and future generations.B次元官网网址�