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.
Win prizes!
- 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
- 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
- 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).
