Category Archives: Special Event

BLPA 2021 Annual General Meeting

Due to the continuing conditions with COVID-19, the Burnaby Lake Park Association will be holding our Annual General Meeting virtually using the online Zoom platform.

On Wednesday, May 19, 2021, you are invited to join us virtually at 7:00 PM PDT as we highlight some of the BLPA’s activities over the past year as well as well as take care of some required society business.

AGENDA

  1. Call to Order/Welcome
  2. Approval and Confirmation of Agenda
  3. Approval of May 20, 2020 Annual General Meeting Minutes
  4. Report from Chair
  5. Treasurer’s Report
  6. Nomination Committee Report
  7. BLPA Elections
  8. Other Business
  9. Adjournment

Existing BLPA members will be contacted by our coordinator with meeting link, agenda and supporting documents.

If you are not a member but would like to attend, please click here to register. You will also find Zoom meeting tips there. You do not need a Zoom account to attend, just access to the internet via a computer, tablet or smart phone.

While all our volunteers and community members are invited to attend, only members will be allowed to vote.

Please RSVP by 6 pm on Tuesday, May 18, 2021.

The BLPA invites you to Regional Parks Snap & Share

Visit Burnaby Lake Regional Park to discover and connect with nature, contribute your observations to citizen science, and learn about the natural world around you.

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 May 15-June 13 and upload them to iNaturalist.

This spring, explore Metro Vancouver’s regional parks and greenways. Pay attention to plants and wildlife you haven’t noticed before. Then simply snap photos of what you discover and share your photos on iNaturalist.

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.
It’s a fun outdoor activity for everyone, on your own or with your family bubble.

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. Don’t approach wildlife, stay on trails, and don’t pick or remove anything.

Win prizes!

  1. All registered participants will be entered into weekly draws:
    • Monday May 24: Family membership to Museum of Anthropology (2 adults and up to 4 children under 18)
    • Monday May 31: Family membership to Beaty Biodiversity Museum (2 adults and up to 4 children under 18)
    • Monday June 7: Family membership to Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association and commemorative book
    • Monday June 14: Gift certificate for 2 adults for any 1.5 hour-long virtual or in-person tour with Talaysay Tours
  2. Individual with the most observations: OWL Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society 40-minute owl pellet program with a bag of 10 owl pellets, plus a $60 gift card from Book Warehouse
  3. Individual with the most species observed: $120 gift certificate for Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, plus a $60 gift card from Book Warehouse

Please note:
To be eligible for prizes you’ll need to register for this project using this form. Register any time up to June 13.

If you’re new to iNaturalist:

We’re hosting a FREE “Introduction to iNaturalist” webinar on Tuesday, May 11th, 6:30-7:30pm. Presented by John Reynolds, SFU professor and iNaturalist expert. For the Zoom webinar link, click here.

You can also check out these tutorials on how iNaturalist works:

From the iNaturalist phone app: How to make an observation on iNaturalist

From the iNaturalist website: How to use iNaturalist’s Photo and Sound uploader

Generously hosted by:

The Pacific Parklands Foundation was founded in 2000 to protect and preserve Metro Vancouver’s regional parks. We understand that healthy parks help build healthy, happy people and strong communities. Please join us!

Other Participating Organizations

Boundary Bay Park Association, Catching the Spirit Youth Society, Colony Farm Park Association, Kanaka Education & Environmental Partnership Society, Minnekhada Park Association, Pacific Spirit Park Society

Prize Donors

Aboriginal & Eco Tours, Beaty Biodiversity Museum, Museum of Anthropology, Talaysay Tours, Van Dusen Botanical Garden & Bloedel Conservatory


Tips & Tricks

  • Remember to turn on the GPS location function for your camera or mobile device so coordinates can be embedded into your photo
  • While you can use the app in the park, it can take time and data.
  • We actually recommend you take as many photo observations as you can while in the park and when you get home, upload them via your computer.
  • Either download your photos onto your computer or upload from your mobile device (like an external drive).

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.