Youth in PG to benefit from new Student Ranger Program

A new program has been launched province wide by the BC government, with a base of operations coming to the Northern capital.

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy announced the start of the Student Ranger Program, which is aimed to give the youth of BC an opportunity to learn diverse job skills while working in the environment.

Projects will be related to conservation, recreation, community outreach and Indigenous relations, but the Student Rangers main focus will be on ecosystem restoration and invasive species control, trail building and maintenance, conservation monitoring projects, and public outreach.

This program is funded by both the federal and provincial governments and will provide training and employment opportunities for 48 people, with a 30% Indigenous hiring target.

“Canada’s future prosperity depends on young Canadians getting the skills and experience they need to succeed. Creating meaningful green job opportunities for young Canadians will help them enhance their skills and save money to pay for their education,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, Parliamentary Secretary to the federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

The Province is contributing annual funding of $610,000 over two years from the proceeds of the BC Parks Licence Plate program. Additional funding of $260,000 will be provided by a partnership between Project Learning Tree Canada and the Canadian Parks Council, through the Government of Canada’s Summer Work Experience program.

Eight crews of student rangers will work across the province, including in both the Prince George and Smithers region, consisting of one crew leader and five team members.