BC Rivers Day

BC Rivers Day celebrates British Columbia’s rivers with community events across the province – paddles, clean-ups, planting days, school activities, and education sessions that put freshwater stewardship front and center. The initiative was founded by river advocate Mark Angelo and is coordinated by the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC (ORCBC).

What happens on the day

Communities host a huge mix of local events: guided paddles, riverside clean-ups, salmon education tours, plantings, public talks, family activities and art installations. Events are grassroots and varied – some quiet conservation work, some full-on community parties.

How to take part in BC Rivers Day

You can join an existing event near you (ORCBC lists registered events across BC), or host your own: the ORCBC accepts event submissions and offers a Host Guide and small micro-grants to help community groups run river activities. Micro-grant applications are open for events happening on or around September 28, 2025.

Ticket Price

• Admission: Free for the majority of BC Rivers Day events. (Some special local activities or workshops may charge a nominal fee – check the local event page.)

Tips

Arrive early for paddles and guided tours (they fill fast), pack reef-safe sunscreen, and stash a tiny pouch for your phone – rivers are photogenic and wet. If you’re hosting, apply for an ORCBC micro-grant early and list your event on their calendar so locals actually show up.

Confirm before you go

Event times, meeting locations and registration rules vary by host. Always check the ORCBC event listing for the latest local details the week of Sept 28.