Monthly Archives: September 2022

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

September 30th, also known as Orange Shirt Day, is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The Burnaby Lake Park Association (BLPA) acknowledges this day as a day of remembrance of the suffering endured by Indigenous people in the residential school system in Canada, suffering that continues today.

We commit to reflection and learning on September 30th and into the future. We commit to inviting local Indigenous people to inform us or support BLPA’s education and awareness activities by sharing their history, rich culture, and ways of knowing.

Join the BLPA Directors in wearing orange on September 30th to raise awareness of the tragic legacy of residential schools, and to honour the thousands of Survivors.

Learn more: www.orangeshirtday.org

About the image (from Canadian Heritage)

Among the various visual elements illustrating Indigenous cultures, the circle is at the centre, which represents being together in spirit of reconciliation. The orange colour represents truth-telling and healing. The pathway represents the road to reconciliation. First Nations, Inuit and Métis are represented in the image.

Description of the three icons

  • The eagle to represent First Nations
  • The narwhal to represent Inuit
  • The beaded flower to represent Métis

Join the Regional Parks Snap & Share!

Join the Burnaby Lake Park Assoication as we celebrate the change of the seasons. We’re participating in the Regional Parks Snap & Share event and invite you to get out into nature. During the month of October, park visitors are encouraged to SNAP a photo of flora or fauna and SHARE their observations to iNaturalist app to contribute to Citizen Science!

This event is taking place in Burnaby Lake Regional Park and all Metro Vancouver’s regional parks and greenways. Pay attention to plants, fungi, mosses, and wildlife you haven’t noticed before. Then simply snap photos of what you discover and share your photos on iNaturalist.

TWO EASY STEPS TO PARTICIPATE

1. Go to iNaturalist.ca or download the iNaturalist app on your smartphone and set up an account.

2. Take photos in any Metro Vancouver regional park or greenway from October 1st-31st and upload them to iNaturalist.

The BLPA has a month full of activities in October to help you learn to use the iNaturalist app effectively as well as opportunities to increase the number of species that you can observe.

iNaturalist is a great way to build your nature knowledge and get feedback on your observations. What’s more, you’ll be joining a global community of citizen scientists and contributing to biodiversity science.

Click here for iNaturalist Tips and Tricks to get started.

It’s a fun outdoor activity for everyone, on your own or with your friends and family!

WIN PRIZES! 

  • All registered participants will be entered into draws to win these prizes:
    • Capilano Suspension Bridge Park family admission ticket (family of 4)
    • $100 gift card for Book Warehouse
    • VanDusen Botanical Garden family membership (family of 4)
    • Beatty Biodiversity Museum family membership (up to 2 adults & 4 kids)
  • Individual with the most observations:
    Talasay Tours – Tour of your choice (2 adults, 2 kids)
  • Individual with the most species observed:
    Vancouver Aquarium family membership (2 adults, 2 kids)

All draws will take place on November 1.

PLEASE NOTE: To be eligible for prizes you will need to register for this project with your iNaturalist User Name. Register any time up to October 31.

You can check out the Regional Parks Snap & Share project page on iNaturalist to see what others have been observing and view the leaderboard.

Please take photos safely. Stay on trails. Do not approach wildlife. Please do not pick or remove anything.

This program is generously sponsored by

Our vision is for a healthy, dynamic regional park system, loved and supported by the community, and protected and enhanced for future generations.

Other Participating Organizations

Catching the Spirit Youth SocietyColony Farm Park Association, Derby Reach Brae Island Parks Association (DRBIPA)Kanaka Education & Environmental Partnership SocietyMinnekhada Park AssociationPacific Spirit Park Society

BLPA Guided Nature Walk Using the iNaturalist App

Have you ever gone for a walk in the park and saw a pretty flower or cool bug and you wondered what it is? Join the BLPA for a guided nature walk using the iNaturalist app and get to know the nature around you!

DATE: Sunday, September 11, 2022
TIME: 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
PLACE: Burnaby Lake Nature House, 4519 Piper Avenue

What is iNaturalist?

  • It is one of the world’s most popular nature apps.
  • It helps you identify the plants and animals around you.
  • It connects you to a community off over a million citizen scientists and naturalists who can help you learn more about nature!
  • By recording and sharing your observations, you’ll create research quality data for scientists working to better understand and protect nature.
  • What’s more – you can register to participate in upcoming projects which can often have special events and prizes, like the Regional Parks Snap & Share happening in October.

Your BLPA Guide will review how to make an observation using the app and offer tips and tricks to get the best identification for your nature encounters and keep track of them.

After the introduction, we will go out into the park so you can use the app right away.

This event is free but registration is required. Limited spaces, register today!
Click here for registration and app download information here.