Apps & Services

Use these apps to explore BC data like an expert. Try them out and see what you can find – you’re in charge. Learn interesting facts to help make a decision, or discover parts of BC you never knew existed. As you do, be sure to tell us what you’ve found and connect with others who dig this stuff.

Avalanche and Weather Programs

Access historical weather observation data from an array of weather stations located around the province.

BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer

Educate yourself and others about species and ecosystems at risk in BC so that we can all work together to protect them. You may also want to check out the Ministry of Environment’s Conservation Data Centre for more information.

BC Water Resources Atlas

Interested in knowing where your community’s water comes from and how it compares with the quality of water in other areas? Use this map application to find detailed information about our province’s water resources.

Biodiversity/Environmental Information Resources e-Library

Discover BC’s great outdoors from your computer using this catalogue of environmental and natural resource information. Investigate what lives here and see what makes our province unique.

Civic Address Geocoding Service

Would you like to program a GPS device using specific coordinates? Are you a geocacher looking to plot your next cache hunt? Use this reliably accurate service to get spatial coordinates for any BC address.

Coastal Resource Information System

Coordinate your next kayaking trip with the Humpback Whale migratory route and conveniently located campsites. Learn where you can spot a bald eagle or blue heron. This interactive map provides data that brings the coast of BC to your fingertips.

Conservation Data Centre

Another app that can help guide support efforts for plants, animals and ecosystems in BC that are at risk. You may also want to check out the Ministry of Environment’s BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer for more information.

Court Services Online (CSO)

Whether you’re a lawyer, self-represented litigant or a concerned citizen, this application will allow you to search court appearances, files and documents related to an individual or organization. You can also file your own court documents, find out when a matter will be heard in court and check on a judge’s ruling.

Cross-linked Information Resources (CLIR)

This is a ‘power’ app designed to simultaneously search various environmental and resource data libraries at one time and browse the results in one window. Specifically, you’ll find data here related to BC’s outdoors from the Ministries.

Data Distribution Service

You can use this app to find information across various BC datasets, like: amount of air contaminant emissions, regional census data, locations of food banks and hospitals, or areas used for tourism activities. Data is served up in a map or in raw format for download and reuse in other apps.

DataBC Mashup Framework (Secure)

Use this online authoring wizard to develop, review and publish a web mapping application based on Google Maps. Let the wizard walk you through a step by step process to craft an application that can be used stand-alone, or imbedded into your website. Requires a government IDIR account to use.

DataBC Mashup Gallery

Browse the gallery of mapping applications created using the DataBC Mashup Framework.

EcoCat: The Ecological Reports Catalogue

Check out the average number of killer whales that visit Robson Bight and find out why they like to hang out there. Learn why pine beetles bug the caribou. This catalogue will give you an insight in to various ecological projects within BC

Environmental Violations Database

A free, searchable database that includes a wide variety of environmental compliance and enforcement actions taken by government staff and enforcement officers. It includes orders, administrative sanctions, tickets and court convictions, covering hunting and fishing, open burning, mud bogging, dam safety, pesticide and pollution violations, etc. Users can search by names, dates or types of violation, dating back to 2006 when the Ministry of Environment began public reporting violations in the Quarterly Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Summary.

Geographic Data Discovery Service

Linked to the same data as the Data Distribution Service, this app is designed to allow users to search BC geographical data using metadata. For example you can search for something like the location of the BC portion of the Trans Canada Train by using the metatags ‘Trans Canada Trail’.

Geomark Web Service

The Geomark Web Service is a free web service for public and government users to store an area of interest or shape, called a ‘geomark’.

Habitat Wizard

This application is designed to help you know everything related to freshwater fishing, including: where to fish, which locations have strong fish counts and which fish to lure.

HectaresBC

The easy-to-use map interface on this app makes it so that you don’t have to be a geomatics professional to use it. HectaresBC uses the criteria you select to display BC data within specific areas. For example, you could create a map with layers that shows the soil types, forest regions, fire zones and health authorities of a specific area.

Integrated Land and Resource Registry (ILRR)

Wondering if the undeveloped land behind your potential new home is public or private? Will your favorite place to camp be available next year? This app will help you determine which areas are protected or have BC Crown Land status.

Invasive Alien Plant Program Application (IAPP)

Call it weeding on steroids. The IAPP provides an inventory of invasive plants and what can be done to ‘treat’ them if you notice some sprouting up in your backyard.

Marine Protected Areas

Need to know where it’s okay to catch some shellfish for dinner? Interested in going for a salt water swim where the water’s not freezing cold? Check out this mapping application that displays ocean regions that are protected along with other marine data relevant to each area.

Mineral Assessment Reports (ARIS)

Would you like to know more about the history of mining in BC? Or are you a prospector looking for gold and other treasures? Since 1947, BC has been keeping track of various mining, drilling and other exploration-related activities throughout the province. The Assessment Reports Indexing System (ARIS) makes all that data available to you.

Mineral Titles Online

If you’re interested in harvesting some of BC’s unearthed treasure, then you’ll want to view the records and maps that pertain to the acquisition and maintenance of mineral, placer, reserve and coal rights in the province.

MINFILE Mineral Occurrences

How much gold has BC produced over the last 10 years? The MINFILE app will help you determine where different metal, mineral and coal deposits are in BC and how much money is being made from mining it.

Ministry of Forests and Range SeedMap

Forestry has been a major part of BC for decades. You might wonder, though, how can we make sure our forests will continue to be a sustainable resource? Learn how BC’s forests are being managed by using the SeedMap to take a glimpse at province-wide activities, which include: seed planting, reforestation, timber supply analysis and various monitoring strategies.

Petroleum Titles Online

Find out where petroleum and natural gas permits, drilling licenses and leases currently exist and whether there are any proposed for your area.

Project Information Centre

Development of energy sources, mining, tourism activities, transportation and waste management all have an effect on BC’s environment. Take a look at some environmental assessments completed to determine what more can be done in your community to minimize environmental impact.

Property File Index

For any history buffs interested in knowing a bit more about BC’s past, this resource provides old exploration documents, prospector’s reports and various other photos and records.

Recreation Resources Inventory Online

Looking for the perfect photo opportunity on your next trip through the Rockies? Instead of driving past some of our most beautiful scenery and exciting activities, be sure to visit this online mapping tool first for a complete inventory of provincial recreation opportunities, features and viewpoints.

Recreation Sites and Trails

Pick your next campsite or plan a day hike with your kids. This clever app helps with everything to complete your next trip outdoors, except setting up the tents. Get ready to play outside – plan where to go, what to do and how to be careful.

Species Inventory Database (SPI)

Learn about the wildlife in your backyard or anticipate the critters you’ll encounter on your next trip within the province. Use this tool to search reports, studies and analysis completed on various species found locally.

Traffic Data Program

Does your commute to work feel like you’re sitting in a parking lot? Which road has the least amount of traffic during peak periods? Plan your next route using this data maintained by the Ministry of Transportation.

Traffic Information System Mapping Application

This app will not only help you plan the best route to take, but it can also help civil authorities plan infrastructure and management techniques to support efficient traffic flow in your area.

Transportation Survey GIS

Think there’s too much traffic using the same highway intersection? See how it compares with other intersections along BC’s highways.

Virtual Front Counter BC

Discover the best places to tap into BC’s natural resource sector. Use this service to apply online for the necessary permits and authorization you need to run a natural-resource focused business.

Wildfire Management Branch – Weather Stations

Find out about hot spots in your area based on hourly weather station observations. View the same data used for fire weather forecasting and the Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System (CFFDRS).

Wildlife Species Inventory

Similar to the Species Inventory Database (SPI), this application provides access to an inventory of species living in BC Use this app to bring wildlife to your computer so you can take a closer look at creatures great and small while keeping a safe distance.