Most areas of the Nature Trust lands are off limits to motorized users, as are Conservation Lands, private property and Provincial Parks. Restricted areas include Young Lake, the non motorized section of Cascade West to Grand Forks, Granby Wilderness Park and The Gilpin Grasslands.

The colours shown on the right correspond to our maps to ensure protected lands are identifed.

The Gilpin Grasslands Provincial Park

About

The Gilpin Grasslands are located along Highway 3 between Grand Forks and Christina Lake in the southern interior of British Columbia. From the Kettle River north up the vast south-facing slopes, the grasslands are an essential part of the local environment. Grasslands throughout the province of BC are home to many different wildlife and plant species.

The Gilpin Grassland Provincial Park protects native grasslands essential to bighorn sheep, Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer and whitetail deer along with other endangered, threatened or vulnerable species, some of which include:

• Red listed – tiger salamander, Western screech owl, Lewis’s woodpecker, badger, great basin pocket mouse and speckled dace fish.
• Blue listed – Western rattlesnake, gopher snake, California bighorn sheep, great basin spadefoot, Western skink, racer, Western painted turtle and canyon wren

Restrictions on Motorised Vehicles Use:

All Terrain Vehicles, Motorcycles and all motorized vehicles are prohibited except as authorized by Ministry of Environment. Snowmobiles are not permitted. This does not include the Gilpin Forest Service Road main which weaves in and out of the western boundary of the park and is open to motorized vehicles.

For more information see the Gilpin Grasslands page on the BC Parks website:

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/gilpin_grass/

The Nature Trust of BC (TNTBC)

Lands held by TNTBC are indicated on our maps in a bright/lime green. These areas are restricted to “Main road/trail only, no secondary trail use permitted, please respect all posted signs and closures.”

The Grand Forks ATV Club has worked closely with the Nature Trust projects in our region. In 2014 the Morrissey, Stewart, Gilpin project enabled the GFATV Club, under the guidance of the Nature Trust, to build water bars and repair the trail that goes through their property near the Morrissey staging site. This area is used by many trail enthusiasts including hikers, bikers, horseback riders and the motorized community.

Keeping everyone on recognized trails is always a priority for the GFATV Club. Education is always the first avenue pursued but in many cases enforcement must be used. These southern facing slopes are first to open to the suns warm in spring supplying sustenance for many wildlife species. It is most important for all users to stay on the marked trails.

The Nature Trust website says:

“The Nature Trust of British Columbia is a leading land conservation organization based in BC. We acquire ecologically significant land through purchase, donation, covenant and lease. Then we care for this land in order to protect the natural diversity of wildlife and plants, and their critical habitats.

We are a non-profit, non-advocacy group that seeks a balance between sustaining our environment and sustaining our economy. Collaboration is a hallmark of The Nature Trust’s many years of working with local communities across our province.”

Conservation Lands

The Conservation Lands where the Gilpin staging area is located were acquired by the Ministry of Environment in 1988 for the purposes of Wildlife Management. Of the original eight parcels acquired on the north side of the highway, some have been established as Gilpin Grasslands Provincial Park and the remainder are managed as Conservation Lands. The location is dedicated to the endangered species of the Grasslands. GFATV Club is most appreciative to MLFNR and all of the partners that came together to assist in establishing this location.