March 2010 Highlights

Click on the Highlight to view detailed event information:

Friday March 5
Birds in Focus – A Visual Presentation
7:30pm – 9:30pm

Virginia Hayes, Roy Hamaguchi and John Lowman will show their new digital presentations of fabulous photos of birds of the Lower Mainland and beyond. They are all expert bird photographers and will present familiar and exotic birds, including Snowy Owls, Snow Geese, as well as birds in southern N. American bird sanctuaries that migrate through here. All ages, Min 10 - Max 35

Friday March 5
Owl Prowl
7-9pm

Join renowned birder Al Grass for an evening with the owls of Stanley Park. An indoor presentation will be followed by a walk to Beaver Lake to listen for these secretive and nocturnal creatures.
 

Admission by donation

Saturday March 6
Young Naturalists’ Club of Stanley Park
10am–12pm

This monthly FREE activity is a chance for children (with their parents) to enjoy two hours of outdoor fun. Activities include hiking, games, wildlife observations, outdoor art, and more! Registration required.

Free admission

Saturday March 6
Birding Walk at Surrey Nature Centre - Green Timbers
9-11am

Discover the birds that make the Green Timbers Forest home with naturalist Lynn Pollard. For the beginner to intermediate birder. Bring binoculars and a field guide if you have them. Wear comfortable waterproof foot wear, dress warmly. Rain or shine.

FREE!

Sunday March 7
Birds in Focus – Photography Workshop
9am – 1pm

This is a workshop that explores basic to advanced photography skills, techniques, digital aspects, equipment selection, places to go and more. Workshop leader: Ursula Easterbrook, local photographer. Bring your camera (film or digital), tripod, film/card and anything else you might need to photograph birds (captive raptors may be present) during the practice session in the park. Ages 12+, Min 6 – Max 20

Cost:  $20.00

Sunday March 7
Blackie Spit Invasive Plant Removal
8:45am - 12pm

Join us in removing invasive plant species from the Savenye Environmentally Sensitive Area before they take over!
Wear appropriate clothing and shoes and bring gloves and your favorite shovel.

Free

Friday March 12
Kid’s Spring Fling
10am – 2pm

Join us for a day filled with outdoor games, eco crafts, story time, nature activities and discoveries – just for kids! Hunt for bugs, search for birds, play in the forest, and explore the special places at the Surrey Nature Centre. Bring your friends and family! Rain or shine. FREE

www.surrey.ca/naturecentre

Saturday March 13
What’s for Dinner…? Maplewood’s Raptors
10am – 12pm

Come and join the Wild Bird Trust’s Nature Walks with Al Grass at the Maplewood Flats Conservation Area, North Vancouver. The walk will focus on the different kinds of raptors (hawks, eagles, and owls) that dine in the area. Wheelchair accessible.

Free Family Event

Saturday March 13
Salmon Friendly Gardens Seminar
10am - 3pm

This workshop-style seminar will provide practical solutions for your yard and garden. Topics include: Rethinking Weeds, Uprooting Lawns: How to Create a Vegetable Patch, and Strategies for Bird-scaping your yard.  Admission by donation.

www.leps.bc.ca/events

Sunday March 14 (& Saturday March 27)
The Great Blue Herons of Colony Farm
9:30 – 11:30am

The heron colony at the mouth of the Coquitlam River – a Wildlife Management Area – is one of the six largest in BC with between 50 – 200 birds during the breeding season – mid February to early April. Join the Burke Mountain Naturalists on an easy walks to learn about these interesting bird’s feeding habitats, why they are considered species at risk, and about some of the birds they prey on them.
     

Free Family Fun

Sunday March 14
Little Campbell River - Restoration Project
8:45am - 12pm

Help us with native species planting and maintenance and invasive plant species removal in this critical estuary habitat. Wear appropriate clothing and shoes and bring gloves and your favorite shovel. FREE

Saturday March 20
Delta Nats Casual Birding Walk
9am – 12pm

Join Tom and his informal birdwatchers for a 2 ½ hour ramble through the beautiful natural regional park overlooking Boundary Bay. Enjoy the abundance of resident and migratory inhabitants, including shorebirds, waterfowl, raptors, and smaller birds. Bring binoculars, if you have them. The outing will end with beverage and snack at the historic Cammidge House. No charge for event, voluntary donation for snacks

Saturday March 20
Green Thumb Gala
10am - 2pm

Trade in your tuxedo for a trowel! Celebrate spring and get ideas for your outdoor space like planting a wildlife or veggie garden and creating a balcony planter. Play in the Lil’ Sprouts Zone for kids or create a “springy” costume to join the parade. Visit booths to get inspired by local gardening groups or browse local foods in the Farmers Market. Rain or shine. FREE

www.surrey.ca/naturecentre

Saturday March 20
Invasive Removal at Campbell Valley Regional Park
10am – 12pm

Come and help us remove some unwanted invasive plants in Campbell Valley Regional Park. Wear suitable clothing and footwear. All tools and refreshments provided.

FREE

Sunday March 21
Nature Photography Walk
1 – 3pm

Bring your camera and explore Watershed Park with a Naturalists and Photographer where you can learn some tips and tricks for nature photography while learning about the forest ecosystem. Enter your photos in Delta’s 2nd Annual Earth Week Photo Contest (in April). FREE

Saturday March 27
Night Quest at Pacific Spirit Regional Park, Vancouver
7pm - 10pm

Come out on this after-dinner walk along the 2 km lantern-lit trail for fun, exercise, and explorations of the nocturnal life of the park. Start between 7 and 9 pm at the Park Centre on 16th Avenue, 400m west of Blanca. This event is wheelchair and stroller accessible. NOTE Bring flashlight. There is a concession – cash only. We recommend that the only dogs brought to the event be those dogs that are good with children, crowds, wildlife and lots of activity. FREE.

Saturday March 27
The Great Blue Herons of Colony Farm
9:30 – 11:30am

The heron colony at the mouth of the Coquitlam River – a Wildlife Management Area – is one of the six largest in BC with between 50 – 200 birds during the breeding season – mid February to early April. Join the Burke Mountain Naturalists on an easy walks to learn about these interesting bird’s feeding habitats, why they are considered species at risk, and about some of the birds they prey on them. FREE

Saturday March 27
Hastings Park – Nature Walk at the Sanctuary
9 – 11am

Over 106 species of birds have been identified in this urban wilderness. Learn about birds, plants, trees, flowers, aquatic life and more. We want you to share our amazing eastside Vancouver secret on this FREE guided nature walk. Bring binoculars if you have them, but please leave your dogs at home.

Sunday March 28
‘Nature as Muse’ Artist’s Workshop Series
9:30am - 4pm

Participate in a series of workshops inspired by nature! Each will begin with a photo presentation then an outdoor field trip to see close up & experience nature with a knowledgeable Naturalist. The field trip will allow time for you to sketch & photograph. Returning to the workshop, you will have an opportunity to explore the theme in an art medium. Some supplies will be provided. Bring your own sketchbook, pencils, favourite brushes, camera and lunch. Dress for the outdoor field trip and weather.
Workshop – Sunday, March 28, 2010 9am – 4pm, will focus on Beach Explorations with mixed media & Plexiglass.
Workshop – Sunday, May 2, 2010 9:30 am – 4pm will focus on spring flowers & shrubs using fusion & recycled glass with found materials.

Sunday March 28
The Birds of Stanley Park
9 – 11am

Join naturalist and birder Cathy Aitchison for a 2 hour walk in Stanley Park exploring for its varied and beautiful bird life. By donation.
 

Ongoing Events


Cleaning and Repairing Nest Boxes at Burnaby Lake Regional Park
Over 200 nest boxes around Burnaby Lake provide homes for swallows, chickadees, Wood Ducks, flying squirrels and Purple Martins. From January to March, join members of the Burnaby Lake Park Association and BCIT to help clean, paint and repair nest boxes. Volunteers with the Nest Box Program learn techniques for cleaning and repairing nest boxes and recording nesting activity data, as well as basic bird identification. Come once or commit to a few hours one or two weekend mornings. Interested in assisting with ongoing monitoring? Spend one afternoon or evening in the spring and summer months observing and collecting data on the nest boxes. For groups larger than 5 people please register in advance. Ages 11+

Contact for dates: (604) 520-6442 or (bbylakeparkassn@hotmail.com)

Burns Bog Conservation Society - Public Tour Dates
Call the Burns Bog Conservation Society Office for next tour dates – (604) 572-0373
http://www.burnsbog.org/tourinfo/

Great Blue Heron Homecoming 2010
Join us at the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve for a series of special events and programs as we welcome the herons back to over 100 nests on our site. Watch Great Blue Herons on our beautiful wetland site and enjoy walks on our trails. 5200 Sumas Prairie Road, Chilliwack on the Vedder River. Please check the website for full details! www.chilliwackblueheron.com

Sunnyside Acres Urban Forest Eco-Walks
Take a leisurely walk (approx 1 hour) along well-groomed trails to learn about history and geology of the Urban Forest, learn to identify native trees and shrubs and have an opportunity to observe wildlife. Wheelchair accessible. All age groups are welcome. By appointment only - registration required. Group Size - minimum of 5 - maximum 12. Host: Sunnyside Acres Heritage Society Cost: Free! Tour booking: (604) 535-9288
 

Find MORE Events for Kids and Families at:

Burns Bog Conservation Society - www.burnsbog.org

Delta Recreation and Parks – www.corp.delta.bc.ca

Great Blue Heron Reserve – www.chilliwackblueheron.com

Langley Environmental Partners Society - www.leps.bc.ca/events

Metro Vancouver Regional Parks – www.metrovancouver.org

Richmond Nature Park – www.richmond.ca/begreen

Stanley Park Ecology Society - www.stanleyparkecology.ca

Surrey Parks – Environmental Programs – www.naturematters.surrey.ca

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