Nature Programs and Parks in Metro Vancouver
Nature Vancouver
Field Trips all over Metro Vancouver & BC
www.naturevancouver.ca/
Vancouver Natural History Society hold seminars on bird life, marine biology, botany and conservation Thursday night from September to April (except December). Field Trips are offered almost every weekend. Non-members are welcome, but limit to three events. The liability insurance only for active members. Encourage to join and support the organization.
Maplewood Flats Conservation Area in North Vancouver
Bird survey on first Sunday, 8:00 am
Nature walk on second Saturday, 10 am
www.wildbirdtrust.org/
Meet at the parking lot of the Pacific Environment Science Centre, 2645 Dollarton Highway. If the gate is closed, park adjacent to the highway. For details, please contact Janice Wilson, Bird Survey Co-ordinator at 778-279-3216.
Squamish Estuary bird count
Second Sunday
www.squamishenvironment.ca/
Visit the Estuary’s hidden places, through all seasons, tides and weather! No experience necessary! Four count areas cover floodplain forest, rivers, sloughs, sedge meadows, mud and open water. The count takes between 4 and 6 hours depending on weather and number of birds. Results are tallied at the Brew Pub over lunch.
Reifel Bird Sanctuary in Delta
Every Sunday, 10 am
www.reifelbirdsanctuary.com/
Meet at the reception area. Admission fee is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children (2-14) and seniors (60+). Phone 604-946-6980 for more information.
Stanley Park in Vancouver
Most Sundays
Stanley Park Ecology Society at http://stanleyparkecology.ca/
These two hour guided walks, leaving from the Nature House at Lost Lagoon, explore the natural and cultural history of Stanley Park.
Richmond Nature Park event and programs
http://www.richmond.ca/parks/parks/naturepark/events.htm
Lighthouse Park bird survey in North Vancouver
First Sunday, holidays included
Lighthouse Park Preservation Society at www.lpps.ca/events
Meet at the top of the parking lot at 7:00 a.m. Beginning birders are always welcome. The early start will apply until August 7, then see website. See Lighthouse Park is in West Vancouver and easily accessed by bus (West Vancouver’s Blue Bus #250 Horseshoe Bay)
Terra Nova Natural Area in Richmond
Third Saturday, 7:00 am or 8:00 am
The nature reserve is at the west end of Westminster Highway, west of No.1 Road. Meet in the Terra Nova parking lot at 8 a.m. (October-March) or 7 a.m. (April-September). For details please contact the co-ordinator, Eric Greenwood at 604-737-4724.
UBC Farm bird survey in Vancouver
Every third Sunday, 8:00 am or 9:00 am
http://ubcfarm.ubc.ca/
All levels of birding knowledge are welcome to participate. The monthly survey takes from two to four hours. The survey begins at 8 a.m. (March to September) and 9 a.m. (October to February). Meet at the main gate to the UBC Farm, located on South Campus, at 3461 Ross Drive. For more information, contact Sue Kay-Downs at 604-569-3058.
Everett Crowley Park bird survey in Vancouver
Third Sunday, 8:30 am
Meet at the main entrance on Kerr Street south of 63rd Avenue (near the top of the hill from Southeast Marine Drive). The walk generally takes approximately two hours.
Hastings Park Sanctuary in North Vancouver
Fourth or last Saturday in usual
Hastings Park Conservancy http://hastingspark.ca
All walks leave from the northeast corner of the Sanctuary (near the red barns and the Playland restrooms). There is free parking on site for visitors to the Sanctuary, or take the bus to Hastings & Renfrew Streets. Check website or contact Pat Miller at 604-294-1272.
VanDusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver
Botany walk daily at 2 p.m. plus Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. (April to Oct.)
Botany walk on Sundays only at 2 p.m. (November to March)
Birding walk on last Sunday at 10 am
http://vandusengarden.org/
Botany walk: meet at the Information Desk on the Deck. Birding walk: meet in the Visitor Centre Atrium. Join Jeremy Gordon for a birding exploration in the Garden. Rain or shine. Free for Members or with Garden admission.
Metro Vancouver & Regional Parks Events
www.metrovancouver.org/events/calendar
Riverview Arboretum in Coquitlam
Monthly tree walk
http://rhcs.org/tours_events.html
The Riverview lands are located at 2601 Lougheed Highway. Walks usually last about two hours. Meet for all walks at Henry Esson Young (HEY) Building, turn off Holly Drive at Oak to Kalmia.
Lynn Canyon Park in North Vancouver
Nature walks, educational nature programs
www.dnv.org/ecology
Lynn Canyon Park has forest trials, a suspension bridge and Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre, which has informative and interactive displays. The lush temperate rainforest is the focus of our educational nature programs.Children love to have fun and learn about nature in the Kid’s Exploratorium.
Lower Mainland Green Team
Removal of invasive plants
www.meetup.com/the-lower-mainland-green-team
Pulling invasive plants that are overtaking our native flora; Planting of native plants/trees; Restoring areas along a stream, river, marsh or shoreline; Beach/River/lake clean up; Harvesting organic fruits/veggies; Trail building/maintenance; Restoration of wildlife sites
Nature parks and events in Metro Vancouver municipals:
Metro Vancouver Regional Parks: www.metrovancouver.org
Vancouver City Park: http://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/parks-gardens-and-beaches.aspx
Vancouver Stanley Park Ecology Society: http://stanleyparkecology.ca/
Surrey City Parks: www.surrey.ca/culture-recreation/2015.aspx
Richmond City Parks: www.richmond.ca/parks.htm
Burnaby City Outdoors: www.burnaby.ca/Things-To-Do/Explore-Outdoors.html
West Vancouver: https://westvancouver.ca/parks-recreation
North Vancouver City: www.cnv.org/parks-recreation-and-culture/parks-and-greenways
North Vancouver District: www.dnv.org/recreation-and-leisure
New Westminster Parks: www.newwestpcr.ca/parks.php
Port Moody Parks: www.portmoody.ca/index.aspx?page=142
Coquitlam Parks: www.coquitlam.ca/parks-recreation-and-culture/parks-and-trails/overview.aspx
Port Coquitlam Parks: www.portcoquitlam.ca/Recreation_and_Culture/Parks__Sports_Fields___Trails.htm
Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Parks: http://mrpmparksandleisure.ca/
Delta Recreation and Parks: www.delta.ca/parks-recreation
Langley Parks: www.tol.ca/Parks-Recreation/Parks-and-Amenities
Langley Environmental Partners Society: www.leps.bc.ca/
Langley Field Naturalists www.langleyfieldnaturalists.org/
Metro Vancouver Recycles
www.metrovancouverrecycles.org
Metro Vancouver created Metro Vancouver Recycles to make it easy for you to donate or recycle just about anything.
Taking Nature’s Pulse
Summary Report:
www.biodiversitybc.org/assets/pressReleases/BBC_summary_Final.pdf
The Status of Biodiversity in British Columbia- full report
www.biodiversitybc.org/assets/pressReleases/BBC_StatusReport_Web_final.pdf
Greenest City Action Plan of City of Vancouver
http://vancouver.ca/green-vancouver/greenest-city-action-plan.aspx