This month’s guest post is contributed by Dannie Piezas, Environmental Educator with the Stanley Park Ecology Society (“SPES”)
Vancouver Bird Week 2019
There are few creatures in nature that are quite as
inspiring as birds.
They are, first of all, quite easily noticed with their striking
plumage, flying ability, musical language, and their widespread presence across
the landscape. These qualities, and their sometimes peculiar antics, lend
themselves to some level of admiration—whether to bird nerds or the
bird-curious. Less often, they might be the cause of aversion or even fear,
especially around the nesting season when crows might bring to mind an infamous
(and over-the-top) scene from Hitchcock’s The
Birds.
However, there is so much more to birds than their pretty colours and occasional dive-bombing. From May 11-17, Vancouver takes a closer look at the birds in our neighbourhood during the 2019 Vancouver Bird Week, a week-long series of events celebrating our 250+ species of birds. Bird Week offers something for everyone, from experienced bird experts to fledgling beginners. Events include bird “language” training, a hawk and owl show, a bird photography workshop, a wing taxidermy workshop, a bird walk for hipsters, and many more. Most events are free.
Stanley Park Ecology Society (SPES) coordinates Bird Week this year and offers its own set of bird-themed programs around Stanley Park, including the opening “Take-off” event on Saturday, May 11th at Lost Lagoon from noon to 4:00pm. Don’t miss the parade of costumed “birds” along the Lagoon at 3:00pm.
History of Bird Week
Bird Week started as just one day first celebrated in Vancouver on World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD), May 11, 2011. WMBD is a United Nations-sponsored initiative that recognizes the importance of birds as key indicators of our environment’s health (like the canary in the coal mine). Vancouver and its week-long bird festival are ideally situated to showcase birds and raise our awareness about them: the region lies on the Pacific Flyway, a major north-south route for migratory birds in the Americas, from Alaska and our northernmost territories, down to Patagonia. The Arctic Tern is one of our seasonal visitors that migrates from the Arctic to Antarctic each year; imagine their need for good rest stops along the way! Because such birds touch down in so many places, their impact is felt across various parts of the world, and it’s vital to conserve their habitat all along their migration routes.
Benefits of Birds
Birds affect ecosystems and provide multiple benefits to
humans, in the way they spread seeds, pollinate flowers, and feed on pests like
insects and rodents. They also provide habitat for other animals; woodpeckers,
for example, create cavities that can then be used by owls, wood ducks, and
squirrels.
Photo: Denali National Park and Preserve
Birds are incredibly diverse, not just in appearance but in
their feeding and habitat preferences. We find them in trees and bushes, on
water, on grassy lawns, and even in the most urban environments. They provide
something like a treasure hunt opportunity that is not unlike the recent
phenomenon of Pokémon Go, which is
pretty much birdwatching but on a tiny screen.
Besides all that has been said, birds have always been of
great spiritual and poetic significance to humankind—a gateway to the
transcendent. With their grace for flight, they are like mediums: connecting
heaven to earth, country to country, habitat to habitat, and urban to wild. Watching
them closely stirs a myriad of questions about things outside of ourselves,
especially the natural world and its wellbeing. Let Hollywood slasher film
director Wes Craven sum it up like so:
Like the canary in the mine, [birds] hold the planet up to us like a mirror and ask: “Can you not see that if we pass away, soon you will as well?” That’s a good question, and since birds pose it, they matter a lot.
As a member of the Stanley Park Ecology Society, I wanted to offer the organization an opportunity to share their news, events, and work so I created the “SPES Series” years ago. This is where SPES can contribute and share stories with my audience once a month. Follow SPES on Facebook for more information.
Variety – The Children’s Charity of BC is joining all Variety chapters across North America to make a big difference in the lives of local kids during Variety Mobility Day on June 5th.
Variety Mobility Day will promote accessibility and inclusiveness while raising funds to provide much-needed mobility equipment for children who experience mobility challenges. Locally, Variety BC will be challenging British Columbians to come together to raise enough money to fund two Adaptive Trikes in each of their five health regions.
Variety Mobility Day
Where: 4300 Still Creek Drive in Burnaby When: Wednesday, June 5, 2019 10:00am to 2:00pm Admission: FREE! Come join us in person or participate by donating online or text “KIDS” to 45678 to make an automatic $20 contribution.
“Variety has been providing mobility equipment for kids with special needs for more than 50 years,” said Cally Wesson, Variety BC CEO. “We are so looking forward to launching Variety Mobility Day to build awareness while at the same time, raising money to meet the growing demands of kids with mobility challenges.”
Open to the public, the Variety Mobility Day Block Party will include a barbeque and a Sunshine Family Van presentation. In addition, guests will hear from Marco Pasqua, Public Speaker, Entrepreneur & Variety Mobility Day Honourary Chair who will share his childhood challenges as a wheelchair-user and how Variety gives kids who face mobility challenges the freedom and independence essential for both physical and social development.
Both Global BC and 980 CKNW will be on-site while partygoers will have the opportunity to see firsthand the inside of a brand new Sunshine Coach and ride an adult-size Adaptive Trike.
To help Variety reach their fundraising goal of $50,000 to purchase ten Adaptive Trikes, donations can be made online or by texting “KIDS” to 45678 to make an automatic $20 contribution. Additionally donors can register to have their own fundraising page through an online platform which allows individuals and groups to connect with friends, families and co-workers in support of kids with special needs.
Where: Rocky Point Park When: Friday, June 28 to Monday, July 1, 2019 Admission: By donation
On Sunday, June 30, 2019, the City of Port Moody presents Big Sugar for a set of great music starting at 9:15pm at the Golden Spike Days Festival in Rocky Point Park. Whether they’re playing old favourites like “If I Had My Way” or new songs like “Anything Is Possible,” Big Sugar is sure to rock the house and keep you dancing as you celebrate Canada’s 152nd birthday.
The Golden Spike Days Festival is one of the oldest and longest running family events in BC and are proud to have been named to The Tri-City News’ A-List as ‘Favorite Community Event,’ multiple years running. The festival is held at Rocky Point Park around Canada Day, attracting upwards of 40,000 people of all walks of life with live entertainment, special events and activities for all ages.
The event commemorates the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway line and its arrival at the original western terminus in Port Moody where the LAST SPIKE was driven. For more info about this event and more, follow the City of Port Moody on Facebook and Twitter.
Burnaby’s biggest festival, Hats Off Day, is free and fun for the whole family! Held on the first Saturday in June each year, it’s a giant one-day extravaganza featuring a colourful parade followed by a big street party.
Hats off Day at Burnaby Heights
Where: Hastings from Boundary to Gamma in Burnaby When: Saturday, June 1, 2019 9:30am to 4:00pm Admission: Free
Burnaby Heights merchants take their ‘hats off’ to salut the community and offer up sidewalk sales, street eats, and fun activities over 10 blocks at this even that can attract up to 100,000 people! This year’s theme is HEIGHTS SUPERHEROES.
The day starts with the parade at 9:30am, a tradition since 1989. The Police Motorcycle Drill Team will lead it off at 9:30am from Beta Avenue and continue all the way to Boundary Road. You can also join the 7th annual Family Fun Dash to start things off. Come in your best superhero costume!
The street festival will follow until 4:00pm, with Hastings Street shut down to traffic and filled with live music, street performers, kids activities, delicious food, and much more. With multiple activities and attractions for all ages, each block has something to experience.
Save the date and follow Burnaby Heights on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more information.
This weekend is full of Mother’s Day activities, along with markets – like the Friday night Shipyards Market – and theatre and more. There are lots of things to do in Vancouver this weekend, check out the list below:
