Want to give a meaningful gift that contributes to wildlife monitoring, environmental education, stewardship and long-term protection of the biodiversity of the largest urban park in BC? You can adopt-an-animal in Stanley Park this holiday season through the Stanley Park Ecology Society (“SPES”).
Adopt-an-Animal in Stanley Park (Symbolically, of Course)
Your symbolic adoption will contribute to conserving the ecological health of 1,000 acres of forest, wetland and seashore shared by over 1,665 species.
Individuals, companies and organizations have an opportunity to connect people to nature and safeguard the ecological integrity of Stanley Park with their choice of adoption. Adopters join over three decades of support for collaborative research, education, innovation and ecological advice.
Adopt a Hummingbird to support habitat restoration monitoring (hummingbirds love native salmonberry blooms!) and support SPES’s “Birding with Me!” nature program that provides an inclusive, safe space for members of the IBPOC and 2SLGBTQAi+ communities, and for those who speak English as an additional language.
Adopt a Bat to support bat monitoring this spring, and to help school children learn about wildlife and ecosystems through a variety of SPES fieldtrips like “Beautiful Bats”.
Adopt a Heron Nest for $54 to support SPES’s efforts to research, monitor and protect the Park’s Pacific Great Blue Herons, a species at risk. Nest adopters receive heron colony reports throughout the breeding season.
Adopt an Otter to support water quality monitoring in Lost Lagoon and Beaver Lake, the habitat of otters and many other species in Stanley Park. Your support also provides fun, educational opportunities for kids in SPES’s Spring and Summer EcoCamps and in SPES’s popular Critter Club for wildlife-loving kids.
Adopt a Coyote to support research on the Park’s coyote population and promote co-existence to help SPES reduce wildlife conflicts and feeding in the Park. Your adoption also supports in-person public education programs that increase awareness of, connection to, and respect for the natural world.
Adopt an Eagle to support nesting bald eagle surveys and other long term wildlife monitoring efforts in Stanley Park. This adoption also helps subsidize the engagement of Indigenous Knowledge Keepers in SPES’s Conservation efforts, in their public and youth programs, and for staff professional development.
Become a monthly donor ($5 or more/month), or make a one-time donation of $40 or more, and receive a stylish fridge magnet of your adopted animal. A special certificate accompanying every adoption recognizes your support for Stanley Park. Donate in honour of someone special and SPES will personalize the certificate for whomever you wish.
Miss604’s Rebecca Bollwitt is the Secretary of the Board of Directors for SPES.
Admission: Tickets start at $16, children under 4 are free, and discounts are offered for families, post-secondary students, and seniors. Guests are encouraged to pre-purchase tickets to ensure availability.
Lumagica Surrey invites guests on a 1km light walk to capture and believe in the spirit of the holidays, then be transported through a light tunnel to Gingerbread Lane, eventually leading to the North Pole Village. Soak up the magical atmosphere with interactive displays, animation, photo opportunities (Lumagica will provide the perfect backdrop for a festive family photo) and surprises galore for the whole family.
Eat, drink and be merry in the North Pole village with holiday treats, live entertainment and a festive marketplace.
Photos submitted by Tanya Cowin
Lumagica is presented by MK Illumination. MK Illumination was founded in 1996 and combines local knowledge and global expertise to create light experiences. Their goal is to simply make viewers happy. They offer an extensive range of high-quality, low energy products and motifs, manufactured in-house, as well as tailor-made festive, and year-round sustainable lighting solutions.
For further information and updates regarding the magical light park, visit the Lumagica Surrey website.
The #CHVCatchUp is a monthly series featuring the latest updates and news from Covenant House Vancouver. Miss604 is proud to be the Official Blog Partner of CHV.
United We Are a Force for HOPE
Three generous Covenant House Vancouver donors have offered the funds for a Triple Matching Gift Challenge.
Any gift you make will go three times as far to help young people in our community who are facing homelessness.
Your support means a safe space for youth like Jace to rest
Jace was always polite but kept to himself. He had a routine of coming into the Drop-In, grabbing food, and taking a nap on one of the comfy chairs.
One afternoon, staff noticed that he was especially tired, so they decided to check in with him. They asked him if he was doing alright and if there was anything they could do to support him. He shared that he was currently staying outside and did not feel safe sleeping there at night, which is why he looked so tired.
We expected the conversation to end there but were surprised by the sincere gratitude that came shortly after.
This youth explained that Covenant House was the only place he felt safe and welcomed. He repeatedly thanked all the Drop-In staff for checking in on him and creating a place where he felt comfortable enough to let his guard down and rest. He knew he could come to the Drop-In Centre to get all his basic needs met.
After that Jace started getting ready to leave but quickly turned around and said “really, thank you for all you do”.
You can help even more young people this holiday season
It is only with the support of the community that Covenant House Vancouver can provide the critical services that young people who are experiencing homelessness need. Services like food, housing, clothing, and in-depth support like counselling and help with substance use.
Since 1997, Covenant House Vancouver has been providing love and hope to youth experiencing homelessness. They are the premiere service provider of residential and outreach services for homeless and at-risk youth ages 16 to 24 in Vancouver.
Employ To Empower will host the 8th annual DTES Street Store on December 11th. This accessible outdoor event, presented by BC Housing, provides a dignified shopping experience for those experiencing homelessness.
Photo submitted
DTES Street Store at Oppenheimer Park
Held at Oppenheimer Park for the first time, the internationally recognized event will take place on Saturday, December 11, 2021, from 10:00am to 4:00pm at 400 Powell Street.
“Street Store is what we consider a reverse gala – our take on an event that raises awareness, addresses a need, and brings people together, but instead of dressing up ourselves, we dress the community,” said Christina Wong, Executive Director of Employ To Empower.
“We expect it to be the largest Street Store yet, providing a dignified holiday shopping experience where residents can pick what they want and need, at no cost. Last year we were limited by capacity, but this year we have a new location and less restrictions.”
At the 2020 event, the Street Store saw a significant increase in donations, collecting 552 bags which was nearly three times more than the previous year. While the surge in giving is welcomed, the community has expressed a need for more men’s items leading up to this year’s event — based on a discrepancy in donated items.
“We are so encouraged by the community’s support,” said Wong. “About 75% of the homeless population are men, however, there were more than double the donations for women at last year’s event. So we are asking for additional donations for men’s items.”
This year, the community has expressed a need for warm winter jackets, men’s and women’s clothing (specifically pants), men’s winter boots, backpacks, blankets, sleeping bags, winter accessories (hats, gloves, scarves), and toiletries in good condition. Summer clothes, children’s clothes, used undergarments, hotel-sized toiletries, books, and household items will not be accepted.
Item donations were collected in November and early December so at this time the DTES Street Store is asking for fund donations to help cover expenses for venue, event equipment, operation costs, and ETE programming.
Since 2014, the Street Store has made an impact in the community by working with nearly 500 volunteers, sharing 66,550 donations, and spreading holiday cheer to more than 6,360 residents. In addition to the shopping experience, the Street Store also offers free food, drinks, and haircuts.
This year, the power of community sponsors helped make the event a reality, thanks to presenting sponsor, BC Housing; gold sponsor, Royal Bank of Canada; silver sponsors, BC Rentals and RIF Moving Company; and bronze sponsors, Vancity and ANSA Custom Prints.
The 2021 event will include COVID-19 regulations, such as screening questions, mandatory masks, sanitation stations, clean donations, physical distancing, and PPEs.
Employ to Empower (ETE) is a registered charity, launched in 2018, that provides residents in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside with access to development and entrepreneurial resources, such as affordable microloans and business mentorship, to have long-term positive impact on their personal and economic well being. ETE also actively advocates for positive social change in the DTES community.
The Polygon Gallery presents Steven Shearer, an expansive solo show on display from November 20, 2021 to February 13, 2022. This marks the first major national survey of the Vancouver artist’s work since 2007, when Shearer’s work was last shown in a solo exhibition in the city.
Private tours are available on Thursdays and Saturdays.
Where: 101 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver
Admission: The Polygon admission is offered on a by-donation basis.
COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place.
The Polygon Gallery is proud to display this expansive exhibition. The exhibition marks the first major national survey of the Vancouver artist’s work since 2007, when Shearer’s work was last shown in a solo exhibition in the city. Shearer’s personal archive of more than 74,000 photographic and print materials, and its influence on his larger artistic practice will be showcased. A 19-volume self-published series of books will also be included in the exhibition. The Vancouver audience will be able to take a true comprehensive look at his recent work.
The Polygon is one of Canada’s most acclaimed photography and media art galleries. The Gallery moved into its Governor General’s Medal-winning building in 2017 after operating as Presentation House Gallery for 40 years. The organization has presented more than 300 exhibitions and earned a reputation as one of Canada’s most adventurous public art institutions. Admission is by donation, courtesy of BMO Financial Group.
All exhibitions are planned in accordance with the Provincial Health Officer’s most recent order, including capacity restrictions, social distancing, mandatory mask wearing, and sanitization of high-frequency touch points. Vaccine Cards are not required to view the exhibitions or visit the shop. A Vaccine Card is required to attend special events at The Polygon Gallery, for all visitors 12 and older. This includes guided tours and Kids First Saturdays.
