College of the Rockies and the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC (ORCBC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore new ways to strengthen the outdoor recreation sector across the province through workforce development, applied learning, research, stewardship, and community-engaged initiatives.
For more than 30 years, College of the Rockies has offered outdoor education programming through its Mountain Adventure Skills Training (MAST) and Adventure Tourism Business Operations (ATBO) programs. This MOU builds on that long-standing expertise and reflects the College’s growing commitment to supporting sustainable, accessible, and innovative outdoor recreation opportunities in the region and beyond. It follows recent collaborations, including the College’s partnership with Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Enterprise (KORE) and the creation of the ReHub Outdoor Gear Workforce Development Working Group.
“This partnership reflects our shared belief that outdoor recreation is not only central to the culture and lifestyle of British Columbians, but also to the strength and resilience of our regional economies,” said Michael Crowe, President, College of the Rockies. “By working with the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC, we are helping to shape a more coordinated, innovative, and sustainable outdoor recreation sector—one where our students, communities, and industry partners can create new paths together.”
As the provincial leader for outdoor recreation, ORCBC brings sector-wide knowledge, strong stakeholder connections, and insights related to recreation planning, stewardship, and policy. That provincial perspective complements College of the Rockies’ regional expertise, applied learning focus, and deep connections to East Kootenay communities, enabling collaborative approaches that can be adapted across British Columbia.
“Outdoor recreation is one of British Columbia’s greatest strengths. It supports healthy communities, local economies, and people’s connection to the landscapes that make this province so special,” said Eric Vanderkruk, Chair of the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC. “Through this partnership with College of the Rockies, we can better connect education, applied learning, and stewardship with what the recreation sector and communities need on the ground. It’s also an opportunity to help prepare the next generation of leaders while strengthening a sustainable outdoor recreation system for communities across B.C.”
Through the MOU, the two organizations will explore a range of potential collaboration opportunities, including:
• Education, training, and professional development
• Microcredentials and short courses aligned to sector needs
• Applied research and data-informed projects
• Experiential, community-engaged, and field-based learning
• Student placements, internships, and practicum opportunities
• Sector tools, resources, and best-practice frameworks
• Coordination with community, industry, and provincial partners
The three-year MOU will be reviewed annually as the partners identify new initiatives and align with provincial and regional priorities, including economic diversification, sustainable outdoor recreation, and workforce development initiatives.
