World Migratory Bird Day Celebration

Date: Saturday, May 11, 2024
Time: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Place: Burnaby Lake, Piper Spit

World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is an annual awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. It has a global outreach and is an effective tool to help raise global awareness of the threats faced by migratory birds, their ecological importance, and the need for international cooperation to conserve them.

Join the flock at Burnaby Lake and celebrate birds! Head out to Piper Spir to see who you can spot! Our friends from the Wildlife Rescue Association will teach you what to do if you find an injured bird and how to help keep birds safe.

We’re also offering several guided outings. Free but registration required.

  • 8:00 to 9:30 am – Experienced Birders Outing
  • 10:00 to 11:30 am – Beginner Birders Outing
  • 10:30 – 11:15 am – Merlin Bird ID/eBird Guided Outing #1 – learn how to use these popular birding phone apps to help you on your birding journey
  • 12:00 – 1:30 pm – Youth Beginner Birders Outing (ages 8-14)
  • 12:30 – 1:15 pm – Merlin Bird ID/eBird Guided Outing #2

This year, the theme for World Migratory Bird Day is Protect Bugs, Protect Birds! Insects are essential sources of energy for many migratory bird species, not only during the breeding seasons but also during their extensive journeys and greatly affect the timing, duration, and overall success of bird migrations. Along their migration routes, birds actively seek out insects in fields, forests, wetlands, and various habitats during stopovers.

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BLPA Board – Call for Expression of Interest 2024

DEADLINE EXTENDED TO FRIDAY, APRIL 5

The Burnaby Lake Park Association (BLPA) is a non-profit society, and we deliver on our mandate through the work of a Board of Directors, Staff/Contractor, Committees, and the support of Metro Vancouver Regional Parks, and the Metro Vancouver community. 

To find out more about who we are and our core values, visit our page: Who We Are

The Board of Directors is responsible for establishing strategic priorities and policy for the BLPA.  

We adopted a new Strategic Plan in late 2022, and since then we have been implementing elements of it. 

Board work can involve four to ten hours per month, which includes the monthly board meeting and will depend on the season and whatever BLPA activities you choose to participate in. We have several subcommittees and subgroups that work on specific projects, and ideally, a Board member should participate in at least one of these. 

BLPA Board terms are for two years, ensuring that every year there is an opportunity for board membership renewal. At the BLPA Annual General Meeting on May 15, 2024, elections will be held to fill vacancies for the Board of Directors. 

For the upcoming term, we are seeking nature lovers who are familiar with Burnaby Lake Regional Park and have the following:

  • Belief in protecting our parks 
  • Respect for (and knowledge of) the cultures and traditions of the Indigenous peoples of Coast Salish territory
  • Appreciation for our diverse and inclusive community
  • Understanding of, or willingness to learn, how a non-profit board is run 
  • Strong interpersonal communication skills in person and via email, Zoom, and phone calls
  • Good time management skills and commitment to completing tasks/projects (if you take on a duty, you are able to fulfil your responsibilities)

The following skills (not in any order of priority) are assets but not necessary to be successful:

  • General administration, financial administration, and record keeping
  • Governance
  • Knowledge of website design and development 
  • Social media management, Email Marketing
  • Public outreach and nature-based education
  • Ecological restoration and stewardship planning
  • Project management
  • Grant writing and fundraising
  • Understanding the calls to action of Truth and Reconciliation
  • Creation of inclusive and accessible nature-themed displays

Application Process

Interested candidates are asked to prepare a resume outlining their skills and experience related to the position.The resume should be submitted with this Expression of Interest form to Victoria Bergeron, a member of the Nominating Committee, at victoriaEbergeron@gmail.com, by Friday, March 29, 2024. Your application will be forwarded to other members of the Nomination Committee, Dasha Kamalova and Tristan Yan, so you may receive a response from one of them. 

  • Download the detailed Expression of Interest here
  • Download the Expression of Interest form to complete here

We encourage everyone interested to apply, including Black, Indigenous, racialized people, and members of the queer and LGBTQ2SA+ communities. Shared values are prioritised over skills – Training and learning can be done on the go!

Thank you so much for your interest! 

So what does it mean to be on the BLPA Board? 

  • This graphic shows the general responsibilities both of the Board as a collective of its Fiduciary duties, and for the individual board member. (Click picture to enlarge.)
  • A director’s term is for two years. 
  • Learn about who we are here and our mission and vision. Additional information can be found in the BLPA’s Constitution & Bylaws in sections 5, 6 and 7.
  • The BLPA Board meets on the third Wednesday of each month7-9 pm, either at the Metro Vancouver Central Area office on Avalon Avenue or online.
  • Time commitment per month varies and depends on the season, but is about 4-10 hours per month.
  • Additional time spent depends on which subcommittees you join (e.g., governance, stewardship) and which volunteer activities you participate in (e.g., stewardship, outreach)
  • A basic comfort level using technology will be required. Some meetings may be held using online platforms. Our board communications are mainly done using email and telephone, and reports are done using word processing or spreadsheet programs.  
  • Timely submission of reports as required.

We appreciate our new members providing a valuable fresh perspective on things and new ideas.

If you have any further questions, you can contact the BLPA’s A/Chair, Irene Lau.

February Stewardship Opportunities

Feb. Weebusters.jpg

We’re switching up work party locations this month and heading west to Phillips Point at the north west part of Burnaby Lake Regional Park. However, we will meet up at the Burnaby Lake Nature House located at 4519 Piper Avenue. Please see note below about the Winston Street Sewer project which may affect travel times.

We are removing invasive Himalayan Blackberry, English Ivy and Holly plants. As you can see from the photos above, these grow like weeds in this location!

Sign up links:

While the current forecast looks good, weather can change quickly. Check the forecast and dress for the conditions. Once you are registered, our coordinator will contact you if there are any changes.

SPRING 2022 – late 2024:  Please note that the Metro Vancouver Winston Street Sewer Project may have  temporary lane closures and detours along Winston Street and Lougheed Highway as the project progresses. Bike detours and parking restrictions will be in effect near the work zones. Residents and businesses will be notified in advance about specific traffic impacts as the project progresses.  Motorists and cyclists are advised to use alternate routes and follow the direction of signage and traffic control personnel.

Tentative March dates:

  • Saturday, March 2
  • Sunday, March 10
  • Sunday, March 17
  • Saturday, March 23