What would bc be without its wild?
Dear British Columbia,
I’ve been hearing a lot of talk lately about how our wild places are changing way too fast. Some folks say we’ve got to protect every last tree. Others say we’ve got to build more if we want to keep the lights on.
The real answers are out in the wild, and I’ve gotta find out for myself
Me? I figure B.C.’s big enough for all of us — workers, wanderers, weekend warriors, and the wild things. There should be room for the towns and the trees… right? But there’s only so much a lynx can learn from the sidelines.
So I’m packing up the truck, grabbing my camera, a pawful of snacks, and hitting the road! It’s about time.
Hey! It's me, Bruce.
I grew up all over rural B.C. It was a whole lot of snowshoeing, swimming, fishing, picking berries, climbing things my mom told me not to… the whole nine yards. Back then, the outdoors wasn’t just something I visited.
It was where life happened. And I loved every minute of it.
It's been a while since I've been in those wild places
These days? I’m more of a “steady routine” guy. I drive a Bobcat out in the camps, put in long shifts, then head out to my favourite coffee shop to read the paper and shoot the breeze with my buddies.
Not quite the wild-child life, but the smell of wet pine after a good rain still feels like home.
A few years ago, I became an uncle!
I never really settled down but my sister has kits, and honestly, I love being Uncle Bruce.
They’re sharp lil’ critters, cracking jokes and getting curious about everything. It’s a whole different world for them than my childhood, for sure. They explore the world from their tablets, while I did it following deer tracks. Meanwhile, I’m still rocking a flip phone and a film camera.
Keeps things simple.
Stumbled upon my old road trip scrapbook the other day
Tons of memories in there! I was so excited to show the kits. I'm over there doing the ol’ show-and-tell, telling them about how beautiful these wild places are, and the kits go, "Unc, you’re outta touch. Those places are probably just strip malls and selfie spots now."
Not cool. I laughed it off, but deep down, I felt like someone told me my favourite fishing hole had a food court now.
But what if the wild is different now?
So I figured it was time to hit the road again. Revisit the old spots and find out if B.C.’s still got that magical something. Not to prove anyone wrong, just to see what’s out there, what’s changed, and talk to the folks who still care about it. Call it a mid-life nature audit.
B.c.'s wild is apart of all of us
It’s the ocean mist, the creek dips, the fresh snow crunch, the long mountain drives where cell service drops and peace kicks in. The land has a lot to teach us, and so do the folks living close to it, two legged and four-legged. If we listen right, maybe we can keep this place wild for the kids (and kits) coming up behind us.
So, yeah. This trip is going to be epic. Hope you join me.
Hey! It's me, Bruce
I grew up all over rural B.C. It was a whole lot of snowshoeing, swimming, fishing, picking berries, climbing things my mom told me not to… the whole nine yards.
Back then, the outdoors wasn’t just something I visited. It was where life happened. And I loved every minute of it.
01It’s been a while since I’ve been in those wild places.
These days? I’m more of a “steady routine” guy. I drive a Bobcat out in the camps, put in long shifts, then head out to my favourite coffee shop to read the paper and shoot the breeze with my buddies.
Not quite the wild-child life, but the smell of wet pine after a good rain still feels like home.
02A few years ago, I became an uncle!
I never really settled down but my sister has kits, and honestly, I love being Uncle Bruce.
They’re sharp lil’ critters, cracking jokes and getting curious about everything. It’s a whole different world for them than my childhood, for sure. They explore the world from their tablets, while I did it following deer tracks. Meanwhile, I’m still rocking a flip phone and a film camera.
Keeps things simple.
03Stumbled upon my old road trip scrapbook the other day
Tons of memories in there! I was so excited to show the kits. I'm over there doing the ol’ show-and-tell, telling them about how beautiful these wild places are, and the kits go, "Unc, you’re outta touch. Those places are probably just strip malls and selfie spots now."
Not cool. I laughed it off, but deep down, I felt like someone told me my favourite fishing hole had a food court now.
04What if the wild is different now?
So I figured it was time to hit the road again. Revisit the old spots and find out if B.C.’s still got that magical something. Not to prove anyone wrong, just to see what’s out there, what’s changed, and talk to the folks who still care about it. Call it a mid-life nature audit.
05B.c.'s wild is a part of all of us
It’s the ocean mist, the creek dips, the fresh snow crunch, the long mountain drives where cell service drops and peace kicks in. The land has a lot to teach us, and so do the folks living close to it, two legged and four-legged. If we listen right, maybe we can keep this place wild for the kids (and kits) coming up behind us.
So, yeah. This trip is going to be epic. Hope you join me.
06
ON THE ROAD
Bruce has packed his snacks and hit the trails. Along the way he's meeting real people — hunters, Indigenous leaders, anglers, industry experts — to hear about what they care about.
FLY FISHING WITH TODD STOCKNER
ON AIR WITH DJ PAM HAASAN
DOCKSIDE WITH PILOT BRYAN SWANSBERG
STAY CONNECTED
Postcards from the Wild
Bruce is checking in from the road! Get clues, stories, and snapshots from his travels across B.C. — and hear from the folks he meets and what they teach him about the province’s wildest places.
spread the word
The kits told Bruce he needs to ‘up his social media game’. Help Bruce impress them by sharing a post about his time on the road.
