Nature Partners
There are several ways to connect with nature in Lions bay. these volunteer groups offer activities and events for a range of interests and welcome new members.
please contact them directly for more information.
1
bird friendly lions bay
In May 2021, a group of volunteers took action after many nestlings were killed during tree work on private land. In the search for a program to support better protections for birds, they learned of Nature Canada’s Bird Friendly City program. And so it was that Lions Bay became the first small municipality in Canada to be certified as a Bird Friendly City in May 2022. Our hope is, by involving residents in a fun, informative way, by highlighting the dangers birds face, and by identifying simple steps we can each take to be more Bird Friendly, that together we will make Lions Bay a safer place for our birds. What's good for birds is also good for nature.
Website: Lionsbaybirdfriendly.ca
2
Lions Bay butterflyway project
Hana Boye and I, Val Morton, are trained David Suzuki Foundation Butterflyway Rangers. We are working with 15 or more villagers to create pollinator gardens that support native ecosystems. We are able to suggest various native plants that are good nectar providers and others that are host plants (food) for butterfly larvae (caterpillars). We host events to help educate interested people about how to make their properties more ecologically friendly by removing invasive plants and replacing them with more helpful native plants. We also collect seeds and distribute them in the fall with information about how to germinate them successfully. We are happy to welcome more pollinator gardeners to our group.
Facebook: Lions Bay Butterflyway Project
Contact: val.morton@gmail.com
3
the trailblazers
The Trailblazers are a volunteer group who have been building the Lions Bay trail system for the last 25 years. Learn more about our history here. There are 23km of loop trails that vary in length with the shorter ones taking under an hour and the longest around 4 hours to hike around. The Monday Hike group meet at 9am every week in various locations. If you would like to be added to the weekly email list to hike or help with trail maintenance, please email us.
Contact: jhdudley1@gmail.com.
4
Lions bay bear smart
Prior to 2001, Lions Bay residents routinely allowed bears to access their garbage and then phoned the Conservation Officer Service to complain, which resulted in many bears being destroyed. Concerned residents began efforts to educate residents about bears and food attractants, and gradually the municipality became proactive with bear management. In 2005, a Bear Smart Committee was formed including Councillors and staff, resulting in the achievement of Bear Smart status in 2011. This means the municipality has committed to reducing problems between residents and bears. This volunteer committee’s goal is to ensure that bears move naturally through the Village without alteration to their natural behaviour or eating habits, and that no negative human/bear encounters occur.
Website: lionsbaybearsmart.ca
Contact: lionsbaybearsmart@gmail.com
