Tag Archives: earth day

Picture A Better Planet this Earth Day!

Celebrate Earth Day with the BLPA at Piper Spit

Visit our display at the entrance to Piper Spit to learn about our history, the stewardship work we do and the native species that have benefited from the efforts of our volunteers.

Many birds are also passing through on their spring migration journey along the Pacific Flyway. For the birds that spend spring and summer here, it is the breeding season and there are many nests being built throughout the park. In British Columbia, birds and their nests are protected under the provincial Wildlife Act and the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act.  This means restrictions to when and where vegetation clearing may be permitted. As a result, we are unable to host an invasive species removal work party at Piper Spit at this time.

However, you can sign up for a BLPA guided nature walk using popular nature apps and learn how to identify and record your observations, including many of the native species that BLPA volunteers have planted, and the year round and seasonal birds that have been observed at Burnaby Lake!

Lean more about the apps and to register here.

Weedbusters Mid-Summer Check-in

HAPPY JULY!

We’ve officially started the second half of the year and as promised in our newsletter, we want to keep you up to date with our progress.

So far, the BLPA Weedbusters have had 4 public work parties since April.

BLPA Stewardship Progress 2018-06

Of note:

  • We welcomed community members not only from Burnaby, but across Metro Vancouver from West Vancouver to the Tri-Cities.
  • Our April Weedbuster happened to fall on Earth Day, and we had several people come out specifically because they wanted to do something for the environment on this day, including one person who took time from his holidays from Ontario!
  • While we go after the “usual suspects” of invasive species, English ivy (Hedera helix), Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus), Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera), a few Black locust or False acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia) trees were discovered on the Glencarin restoration site. This species is originally from the US south, and can grown in dense stands whose shade will suppress seedlings from native trees.
  • The June 10 work party was held as part of the Wild About Burnaby Lake event we co-hosted with Metro Vancouver Regional Parks and the City of Burnaby, and a lot was accomplished considering the group size.

Thanks to all of our great volunteers for all of their hard work and being native plant champions!

Photo credits: (left to right) I. Lau, D. Tan, Jennifer Strang Photography, A. Green