We’ll be doing some maintenance in the area around the Nature House and Piper Spit where we have removed invasive species and planted native plants in the past.
Look for signage to find us.
Dress for the weather, with sturdy shoes as you may be working off trail. We’ll provide gloves, tools and refreshments.
Any questions or interested in bringing a group? Contact Ann, our volunteer coordinator at info@burnabylakepark.ca.s, invasive species
And a good neighbour!
Join us on an exciting new adventure! The Burnaby Lake Weedbusters are helping out in a different park this Sunday. We’re assisting park staff at Sapperton Landing Regional Park begin the process of “wilding” the park by re-establishing native vegetation in areas formally colonized by invasive Himalayan Blackberry.
Staff have prepared the site and the Weedbusters will help dig up and remove the root balls before planting native plants this fall. Tools, training, and refreshments will be provided. Please dress for the weather and for physical work (closed toed shoes required, pants and long sleeves recommended).
Located in the heart of New Westminster, Sapperton Landing is at the southern terminus of the Brunette-Fraser Regional Greenway. This unique park was designed to highlight the beauty and power of the mighty Fraser River and features backwater tidal channels and riparian woodlands. Learn about the unique habitats found at Sapperton Landing, its connection to other regional parks, and how you can help further steward this habitat oasis in the city.
DIRECTIONS:
Driving – Access to the park is at the corner of Cumberland Street and East Columbia Street in New Westminster. When using Google, use 45 East Columbia as the address to find the park. If driving, you can ONLY access the park from East Columbia by traveling NORTH on East Columbia. Take the slip short of the foot of Cumberland Road over the train tracks. Parking is straight ahead.
Transit – If using public transit, take Skytrain to the Sapperton Station. Exit through the REAR of the station and walk south along the newly paved Brunette-Fraser Greenway off Spruce Street on the east side of the Brunette River (750 m).
HOW TO FIND US:
We’ll meet on the upper dock in front of the red warehouse. Look for the BLPA flag.
Please contact Ann at if you have any questions at info@BurnabyLakePark or to add yourself to the email list for future events.
More about Sapperton Landing:
HERITAGE:
Sapperton Landing, where the Brunette River meets the mighty Fraser, is rich in history. It has been the site of a First Nation village, a Royal Engineers’ camp; the first colonial legislature of British Columbia and the BC Penitentiary. The only remaining building to reflect the site’s history is the BC Penitentiary Wharf Warehouse (ca. 1930s) where food, wood, coal, supplies and prisoners passed through.
ACCESS:
Metro Vancouver operates three sections of the greenway including Sapperton Landing along the Fraser River in New Westminster; and two sections of trail in Burnaby (2 km through the Brunette River Conservation Area; and 400m near Stoney Creek).
Sapperton Landing is located at the foot of Cumberland Street – a 750m walk from the Sapperton SkyTrain Station. Both the Brunette River and Stoney Creek sections can be accessed from Burnaby Lake Regional Park’s Avalon Avenue Entrance.
For more about the Brunette-Fraser Regional Greenway, click here.
Ages 8+.
To keep up to date with any changes, please check our social media and website closer to the date where we will have the latest news with any changes (e.g. due to weather or things beyond our control). Let us know if you’re coming with a quick RSVP to info@burnabylakepark.ca to help us organise and plan for refreshments. You can also ask to get added to the email list to receive notice of the next event. For more information or to arrange for a group to attend, contact Ann at info@burnabylakepark.ca.
May has once again been declared BC Invasive Species Action Month by the provincial government. Invasive species can disrupt habitat, displace native species and negatively impact British Columbia’s environment, people or economy.
You may wonder how you can take action. There are many ways to help prevent the introduction and spread of harmful invasive species in our communities and make a difference.
Invasive plants, can establish monocultures and reduce biodiversity, increase soil erosion, alter soil chemistry and adversely affect commercial crops. Some may pose a health risk to animals and people, such as Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum).
If you have your own garden, you can learn to be Plant Wise and choose more native plants. They have evolved to live in our climate and can save time and money by reducing water usage (watering restrictions in effect May 1-October 15), fertilisers, and herbicides. They are also the best food source to attract wildlife.
What if don’t have your own garden? Come join us at our Weedbusters work parties! Weedbusters is one of the BLPA’s biggest activities. Since 2004, community volunteers have rolled up their sleeves and helped to remove invasive plants in large areas throughout Burnaby Lake Regional Park. Our main targets are Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus), Himalayan balsam or Purple Policemen’s Helmet (Impatiens glandulifera), Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), English ivy (Hedera helix), and English holly (Ilex aquifolium). Once these invasive species become established in an area, they can spread rapidly, and seriously disrupt the ecosystem of the park by crowding out native species which in turn may reduce native wildlife.
Members of the public can report sightings of invasive plant species anywhere in BC by using the Report-A-Weed or Report Invasives BC smartphone apps, by calling 1 888-WEEDSBC (1 888 933-3722), or by using the online reporting tool available.
Join us this month to take action against invasive species! We will have our Weedbusters work party on Sunday, May 27th, from 1 to 4 pm. You can find our full Weedbusters schedule here or check out our event calendar.
We’ll be posting ideas throughout the month of May on how you can take action against Invasive species.