Category Archives: Announcement

BLPA Board – Call for Expression of Interest

The BLPA is looking for a few new directors to join the Board at our next Annual General Meeting which will take place on May 19, 2021. For the term ahead, we are currently searching for individuals who can contribute to the organization with their developed skills in one or more areas such as:

  • Financial Management
  • Stewardship and Ecological Restoration
  • Project Management
  • Human Resources

In addition, ideal candidates will have any of the following:

  • Passion for Burnaby Lake Regional Park and Nature
  • Strong interest in protecting our parks
  • Experience working with nonprofit boards

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. 
  • The term is for two years. 
  • 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 month, 7-9 pm. We are currently meeting by Zoom.
  • When we are able to meet in person again, they will take place at the Metro Vancouver Central Area office on Avalon Avenue.
  • Additional time spent depends on what else you decide to get involved with such as subcommittees (e.g., governance, stewardship) and/or hands on volunteering with activities such as stewardship and outreach. 

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

Interested candidates are asked to prepare a cover letter and resume outlining their skills and experience related to the position. Both should be submitted with an Expression of Interest form to Manish Kumar, Chair of the Nominating Committee at manish.k.mani (at) gmail.com.

DEADLINE: 5 pm, March 30, 2021.

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

Download: Expression of Interest form.

Happy Holidays

The Burnaby Lake Park Association would like to wish you and yours a happy and safe holiday season. Thank you for your continued support through a most unusual year. 

A quick recap of what the BLPA was able to achieve. The board and our new coordinator Natasha developed a COVID-19 safety protocol for our programs and we were able to host 5 small and socially distanced work parties with over 30 volunteers and 70 hours. In addition to doing maintenance on various restoration sites in Burnaby Lake Regional Park, our volunteers helped support Metro Vancouver Regional Parks by planting over 400 native species at Sapperton Landing on the Brunette-Fraser Regional Greenway. Although the provincial health orders put a stop to our activities this year, we are pleased with what was achieved given the situation and that people wanted to join us in our work. We are happy to report that the post event volunteer surveys showed that 100% of the participants felt prepared with our registration procedures, the safety protocols were followed and that they felt safe attending the event.

I want to thank the our board members who have continued to meet monthly since the pandemic started. We have been doing a lot of behind the scenes work and getting to some of those projects that have been on the backburner for a long time. We will be in touch in the new year to get your feedback on ideas and possible new ways you could help us with our programs. 

We will look forward to seeing you in the park again when it is safe to do so. We hope you can get out into the park with your household bubble.

Warmest wishes and all the best for 2021,

Irene Lau
Member – Board of Directors – Chair

If you haven’t been down to Piper Spit in a while, click here or below to enjoy this little walk by local photographer Silvester Law on December 10, 2020.

World Rivers Day

This year marks the 40th anniversary of BC River’s Day and the 15th Anniversary of World Rivers Day, but unfortunately, due to COVID-19, this year’s event on September 27 at Burnaby Village Museum is cancelled. We look forward to celebrating with you next year. This event has made a big contribution to our community. Learn about Burnaby`s waterways from home this year, as well as the restoration efforts to help protect these environments and how you could get involved.

Founder

Mark Angelo, a Burnaby resident, is the founder of BC Rivers Day and World Rivers Day. He is the former head of the BCIT Fish, Wildlife, and Recreation Program, and considered one of the leading river conservationists and has been recognized for his effort throughout Canada, receiving awards, recognitions and even the Order of Canada for his river conservation efforts. 

Burnaby’s Waterways

Did you know that the City of Burnaby has over 90 creeks, two lakes, and a river within its geographic boundaries? If you are exploring Burnaby’s waterways, you will discover many located within Burnaby parks. Please stay on trails to avoid damaging the natural vegetation next to streams, and follow all posted safety signs.

Here are videos about our watershed:

  • Saving Burnaby Lake
    This short film was produced by the City of Burnaby Community Heritage Commission to commemorate Burnaby’s 125th anniversary. It features the story of the preservation of Burnaby Lake.
  • Saving the Salmon; the Brunette River Story
    This short film was produced by the City of Burnaby Community Heritage Commission to commemorate Burnaby’s 125th anniversary. It features the story of the preservation of the Brunette River.
  • Urban Salmon in the Brunette River – Metro Vancouver
    The installation of the Cariboo Dam Fish Ladder, along with an improved fish habitat, has resulted in the return of salmon to the Brunette River and Stoney Creek.
  • Salmon Return to Still Creek
    Mark Angelo and others tell an inspiring story about salmon and the transformation of Still Creek, which was a long-abused urban stream in their community.

Click here to learn about the local streamkeeper groups that are active in Burnaby.

Click here to find out the legacy of stewardship at Burnaby Lake and the Brunette River.