Hello members!
Welcome to the Cloudburst Connect Series for the Fall & Winter 2026 edition!
As we turn the page on 2025, I’m struck by how our clubs showed up for one another this year. From hut repairs and bridge builds to mentorship ski tours, day hikes, and thoughtful access conversations, your work continues to make BC’s non-motorized backcountry more welcoming, and more connected than ever. Thank you—to every volunteer, trip leader, director, and partner, for the hours you put in and the heart you bring.
Cloudburst Connect exists to amplify those efforts. Rather than waiting for a single long publication, we now share shorter, more frequent stories—meeting members where they are and elevating the best of what clubs are doing across the province. In 2025 that shift helped us celebrate more club voices and highlight practical “what worked” ideas others could adopt.
You’ll see that same spirit in this fall-winter series. Expect hands-on stories (trail fixes, hut updates, winter skills), advocacy spotlights from the Recreation & Conservation Committee, and member perspectives.
Our Strategic Plan remains the compass: United & Bold Advocacy, Organizational Sustainability, and Partnerships & Collaboration. You’ll notice each pillar reflected in how we choose stories, the way we support club communications, and how we convene people to solve shared challenges. Together, they keep us focused on access, stewardship, and the long-term health of our federation.
Looking ahead to 2026
We want to deepen club-to-club visibility and show up where it counts. To that end, we’ve invited clubs to share the dates of their 2026 AGMs and other key events where FMCBC presence or promotion would be useful. If your club hasn’t submitted details yet, we’d love to hear from you.
You’ll also see a new lineup of webinars and roundtables built from member feedback, plus ongoing “Advocacy in Action” stories that connect on-the-ground club work to the bigger policy picture. And, as always, Cloudburst Connect will continue to highlight practical wins we can celebrate & replicate—volunteer practices, simple systems, and partnerships that make club life easier and more inclusive.
A personal note
This spring I will complete my term and step down as FMCBC President in May 2026. It has been a privilege to serve. I’m deeply grateful for the progress we’ve made together—strengthening relationships with clubs, modernizing how we communicate, and renewing our commitment to advocacy. Over the coming months, we’ll be working to identify and welcome the next President. I look forward to a smooth hand-off and to cheer on the federation’s next chapter.
Thank you all for your passion to non-motorized outdoor recreation–and for sharing your stories, and for all you do in your clubs and communities.
Liz Bicknell, President
president@mountainclubs.org
Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC
