The US-based National Outdoor Leadership School Society has applied for 77 long-term crown land leases along the BC Coast for use as overnight camping locations during their guided Sea-kayak retreats.
Of the 77 sites within the application, most are on the east, west and north coasts of Vancouver island, but a number of sites extend up the Central Coast, including 4 proposed camp sites near Bella Bella.
Screenshot of NOLS proposed camp sites near Bella Bella taken from the application portal // Courtesy: Province of British Columbia
In their application, National Outdoor Leadership School Society, a member of BC Marine Trails and who’s Northwest Branch is a registered society in BC, says the group has offered non-invasive, leave-no-trace, retreats teaching outdoor skills, leadership and wilderness ethics to American students in the Coastal Range since 1988 and a along BC Central Coast since 1995.
The group says that in 2026 they’re hoping to offer a 50-day Inside Passage Sea Kayak trip that would see participants paddle the entire length of the British Columbia Coast, departing from Washington State and Arriving in the Alaskan Panhandle. NOLS said the crown land application would add to their roster of available camp sites to support the trip.
Some of those who live adjacent to the proposed sites have voiced their opposition to the application, citing a lack of consultation of those who live nearby, as well as fears of increased fire risk at the remote campsites, and even some who say the Province should not approve a coastal crown land lease for an American based group given the annexation threats made by the Trump administration, and the ongoing trade war.
In relation to the application, the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship said consultation with local First Nations were in the early stages.
The Province is still accepting public feedback on the NOLS crown land application until October 5th. You can weigh in online via the Crown land and water use application portal, Crown Land File 1412379.
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