Category Archives: News

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.

Three Years and Things are Still Ducky

We were contacted by Thor Diakow from Vancouver is Awesome to meet him and tell him about our fine feathered friend. It gave us the opportunity to reflect about what this bird has brought to the Burnaby Lake community.

PR. Public Relations. Permanent Resident.

As “Trevor” the Mandarin Duck approaches the “3 year requirement” for his permanent resident status, we figure he has done a lot of PR for for Burnaby Lake and Nature, since he decided to make it his home.

He first appeared on our radar in May 2018 and has delighted park users old and new since. The Burnaby Lake community has been respectful with our local celebrity and kept his presence relatively low key until his counter part in New York City’s Central Park “Hot Duck” shone the spotlight here and drew many people to Burnaby Lake Regional Park, some for the very first time.

There is never a guarantee you will see Trevor on your visit – whether it’s your first or fiftieth visit. Perhaps you have come to the park with the specific goal of seeing him, or you are on a walk for your physical and mental wellness, especially during the pandemic. But while you are here, maybe you will find your spark bird.

In birding, the term “spark bird” defines the one that ignites your interest in birds. Whether you are 5 or 75, there will be one that catches your eye and intrigues you enough to ask someone to identify it and you spend some time learning more. It doesn’t have be a rare fancy duck, but one that is more common here like its cousin – the beautiful Wood Duck, a dapper Northern Pin Tail, a sweet Chestnut-backed Chickadee or like a Red-winged Blackbird. This last one is the species that caught the attention of author Julia Zarankin, at age 35, and sent her on her birding journey as described in her memoir, Field Notes from an Unintentional Birder. And once you connect to birds, you are connected to Nature, which is part of the BLPA’s mission. We hope that you will return often and have the opportunity to enjoy and get involved with our activities once we are able to restart them.

Thor, an avid birder himself, was lucky enough that Trevor decided to show up just before he was about to leave (thanks for spotting him, Sheila Linn!) so he was able to get some footage and share his story on Vancouver is Awesome.

So if you are interested in birds, watch out for news about (Metro) Vancouver Bird Week, taking place May 8-16, 2021. Event details are still being sorted out, and will likely be a combination of webinars and socially distanced events as well as activities you can do you on your own or household group.

Metro Vancouver Regional Park Interpreters will be hosting a few bird related events with safety protocols in place

When visiting Burnaby Lake Regional Park, please follow the Metro Vancouver Regional Parks COVID-19 safety guidelines. While on Piper Spit, take turns to allow others to have the opportunity enjoy the views. When it is not possible to physically distance from others, please wear a mask. If you do want to feed the birds, please do not feed them bread, and only bring a reasonable amount of seed per person. You can see with the amount of people, they will not go hungry!

Remember – dogs are not allowed onto Piper Spit and must follow the Regional Park Canine Code of Conduct, and bicycles are not permitted on the park trails, only on the Central Valley Greenway.

You can send questions about birds or any topic on our Feedback Form here.

Stewardship Partner Recognised with Environmental Award

We are happy to share the news that Elmer Rudolph, who has been a leader in the Sapperton Fish & Game Club for over 35 years, has been recognised by the City of Burnaby with a 2020 Environmental Award in the category of Community Stewardship, for his outstanding commitment to community action for environmental protection and rehabilitation of the Brunette River, which Burnaby Lake flows into at the east end of the park.

From the City of Burnaby’s September 29, 2020 news release:

Elmer Rudolph has shown outstanding commitment to community stewardship, conservation and environmental protection with efforts that have rehabilitated Burnaby’s natural environment.

Since being recognized with an Environmental Award in 1996 — the very first year of Burnaby’s awards program — Mr. Rudolph spent the following 24 years volunteering to protect Burnaby’s diverse ecosystems. Mr. Rudolph is a former member and president of the Sapperton Fish & Game Club, where he has volunteered since 1984 leading conservation initiatives and rehabilitation programs in the Brunette watershed. He has consistently demonstrated his commitment to community stewardship through his actions and advocacy for pollution prevention and the ecological health of the Brunette River and Burnaby Lake. Mr. Rudolph has worked on rehabilitation projects that include the installation of large woody debris and in-stream weirs, and the cleaning out of spawning beds to provide opportunities for successful salmon reproduction.

In 1997, Mr. Rudolph played a key role in starting a community fish hatchery in Burnaby, which has enhanced salmon populations in the Brunette River watershed, including significant salmon-bearing streams in Burnaby such as Eagle Creek, Still Creek, Beecher Creek, Guichon Creek and Deer Lake Brook. The community hatchery operates through the Salmonid Enhancement Program of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, which works to conserve fish stocks, rebuild the salmon population and improve fish habitats. Each year, Mr. Rudolph volunteers his time to work on salmon rehabilitation projects, coordinate and manage volunteers, and advocate for the protection and conservation of salmon. He also spends time engaging youth in initiatives and educating them on the importance of species conservation.

Mr. Rudolph has played an exemplary role in community stewardship for the Brunette River and has inspired those who have worked alongside him, as well as his community. His dedication, leadership and commitment to protecting Burnaby’s diverse ecosystem has made a positive impact on species conservation while demonstrating the importance of community action for environmental protection.

You will find this sign installed at Cariboo Dam at the east end of Burnaby Lake which connects it to the Brunette River It features Elmer Rudolph and the important work he participated in to clean up the river so the salmon could return. Congratulations, Elmer! You will find out more history about the Brunette River watershed here.

There City presents two levels of awards:

  • Environmental Award – Recognises environmental achievements of a larger scale, such as long-term commitments to an organization or cause, leadership, and projects of a significant size and relatively complex scope that have a broader community impact.
  • Environmental Star – Recognises environmental achievements of a smaller or more individual scale that may serve to catalyse larger initiatives and inspire others.

To find out more about the City of Burnaby’s Environmental Awards Program and the other 2020 winners, click here.

The BLPA and some of its members have been recognised in the past for their efforts in Community Stewardship: (*under its former name)

  • 2016 – Star – Dave Stafford
  • 2008 – Award – John Thomson, Burnaby Lake Advisory Association*
  • 2008 – Award – Tony Fabian, Burnaby Lake Advisory Association*
  • 2006 – Star – Burnaby Lake Advisory Association* Weedbusters
  • 2004 – Award – Joe Sadowski
  • 2000 – Star – Joe Sadowski
  • 1998 – Award – Burnaby Lake Advisory Association*