Wild Bird Trust of British Columbia

Welcome to the

Wild Bird Trust of BC!

Our mission is to provide wild birds with sanctuary through ecological protection and restoration, and support communities with education, culture, and reconciliation programs.

Heron Relfection by Brad Slavin
September #birdofthemonth
from the 2022 Coast Salish Bird Calendar

Birding at Maplewood Flats

The Wild Bird Trust of BC (WBT) is a non-profit society that manages Maplewood Flats in North Vancouver. We acknowledge that Maplewood Flats is situated within the traditional and unceded territory of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation (TWN).

Maplewood Flats is open to the public for self-guided tours and individual bird watching. We request all our visitors to observe appropriate Covid-19 protocols. Visit the Greeter Hut at the entrance for more information.

Bird Species

+ 0

Critters

Nesting Species

+ 0

Native Plant Species

Events at Maplewood Flats

From monthly bird counts, guided nature walks, to wild bird habitat conservation workshops, the Conservation Area at Maplewood Flats provides many opportunities for beginner and experienced birders and conservationists alike to deepen our lifelong love for wild birds and their habitats.

read the latest in

News & Stories

Native Plants and Why They’re Important

August 17, 2022 No Comments

Urbanization has transformed landscapes into fragmented areas leaving them unfunctional for wildlife. So how can we fix this? By adding native plants back into the environment.

Let’s take a look at eight reasons why you should add native plants into your yard and why they’re beneficial.

Children of Takaya exhibit in Deep Cove aims to bring awareness of Tsleil-Waututh Peoples and art to traditional lands

August 26, 2021 No Comments

The Children of Takaya exhibition presents artwork from emerging Tsleil-Waututh artists in this five-day Part Of Studio exhibit in Deep Cove, unceded Tsleil-Waututh lands and waters.

Maplewood Flats is Hiring!

May 27, 2021 No Comments

Do you want to work in conservation & reconciliation at Maplewood Flats?

Research Seminar Series

The Research Seminar Series began as a four-part Zoom event focused on science & research at Maplewood Flats. The series was aimed to engage community members on the research, monitoring projects, and collaborations occurring at Maplewood Flats. The series continues in 2021.

Online Events & Workshops

Watch video recordings of our monthly virtual walks and talks. Subscribe to our Youtube channel to get notifications on the latest videos.

YouTube Video VVVXOEVwclh1RV9DMFhSM2VPYXdaWC1nLkQ3OC1pdVhScDdV

Angelina Hopkins Rose is a Researcher in Residence with the Wild Bird Trust of BC. She addresses threats to traditional plant gathering practices of Interior Salish and Coastal Salish First Nations People, due to BC Timber Sales pursuing a Glyphosate-based Pest Management Plan. Her research and advocacy have contributed to the resurgence of awareness about the importance of traditional foods and medicines, as well as confronting the lack of self-determination local First Nations have in their own lands. Angelina and her partner Ronnie Dean Harris will be highlighting the importance of access to traditional plants.

Angelina is a mother, language learner, and berry picker. She is St'at'imc and Finnish.

Opening comments from Irwin Oostindie, President, Wild Bird Trust of BC on the organisation's efforts towards decolonizing conservation.

---
The Wild Bird Trust of British Columbia (WBT) is a non-profit society that manages the Conservation Area at Maplewood Flats in North Vancouver. Our mission is to provide wild birds with sanctuary through ecological protection and restoration, and support communities with education, culture, and reconciliation programs.

We acknowledge that The Conservation Area at Maplewood Flats is situated within the traditional and unceded territory of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation (TWN).

https://wildbirdtrust.org
#maplewoodflats #decolonizingconservation

Join us as we deep dive into the world of decolonization. Through public education, we are uplifting the knowledge of the ecosystem and insight into Coast Salish connection to the land.

In the Coast Salish Plant Exhibition, you are able to see beautiful items on display made with native and invasive plant materials created by Tsawaysia Spakwus Alice Guss, Nicole Preissl and Erica Mulder. In this conversation hosted by Senaqwila Wyss, you will hear about the methods used to identify, source, remove, handle and create items from these plant materials - and the broader context of access, and the cultural and ecological value of these plants. There will be a discussion not only on ethical foraging or sourcing but also on the importance of community gardening spaces, to lessen our impact on the ecosystem.

The speakers will provide short demos of their process, of handling and using these materials.

Following the presentations, we will go for a short walk and look at some of the different plants that also appear in the displays on site.

Our guest speakers include:

Tsawaysia Spakwus Alice Guss

Alice specializes in Language and Culture and provided innovative learning opportunities for students. Her English name is known as Alice Guss, she is a Squamish First Nation member that is strong, committed and active in the preservation of their language/culture and heritage. Her father, Pekultn was a Hereditary Chief from Vancouver, BC, Canada. Alice has over 20 years in Education; including Director Of Education, five years as an Employment Coordinator and 15 years delivering Sacred Drum-making workshops. Alice is masterful at bringing innovative learning opportunities to all people through workshops, drumming, singing, dancing and storytelling.

Nicole Preissl

Nicole was born and raised in Burnaby, and is Sto:lo from Leq’a:mel first nation. Her great-grandmother was Squamish from X̱wemelch’stn and great-grandfather from Katzie. Nicole began experimenting with the implementation of culture into design when she began at Emily Carr University and has looked at ways of indigenizing design creation and teaching. She began introducing traditional artistic customs into her practice as a means of connecting to her culture. In her art practice, she uses natural fibres and materials to create textile-based designs. Nicole is Indigenous Education Programmer at Burnaby Village Museum.

Erica Mulder

Erica is a European settler who grew up in Burnaby. Since the beginning of the pandemic, she's been exploring her relationship and responsibility with invasive plants. As a settler, she is continuously working to understand the ways invasive plants can perpetuate and exacerbate the threats to native plants. As well as the ways these plants are vilified to obscure the larger and underlying issues of resource extraction, settler colonialism and climate chaos. In tangent with invasive plant removal work, she's been exploring uses for these plants including basketry, cordage, natural dyeing and more.

Event Host Senaqwila Wyss

Senaqwila Wyss is Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), Tsimshian, Sto:lo, Hawaiian and Swiss. She holds a Bachelors of the Arts Degree in the faculty of Communications, Arts and Technology, minor in First Nations Studies. She also holds a First Nations Languages Proficiency Certificate and Diploma in the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Sníchim. Senaqwila is the Coast Salish Programs Coordinator at Maplewood Flats.

This unique seed blend was created by the Wild Bird Trust's Coast Salish Plant Nursery in collaboration with Surrey Parks. The purpose of the blend is to increase biodiversity, attract pollinators and raise awareness of the important cultural uses of these wildflowers that are native to British Columbia.

Skelkelosen means dream – or vision – in Xwlemi Chosen, a language shared among North Straits Nations on both sides of the border. This language, along with SENĆOŦEN, is being revitalized by the Semiahmoo people of Surrey. Surrey is situated on the unceded and ancestral lands of the Coast Salish peoples, including the q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen), and Semiahma (Semiahmoo).

Indigenous Ethnobotanist, Cease Wyss T’uyt’tanat is Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Tsimshian, Sto:lo, Swiss and Hawaiian is an Indigenous ethnobotanist, educator, and multi-disciplinary artist, and she explains the importance of this blend.

We are honoured to be able to work with Surrey Parks and appreciate their support in reconciliation through conservation as they continue to share this with their community and grow their City’s pollinator conservation actions.

Thank you to Semiahmoo artists Roxanne Charles, Easton and Feather Arnouse for language and artwork, Cease and Senaqwila Wyss for plant selection and language, and Kristen Miskelly of Satinflower Nursery for seed blend support.

Watch this virtual presentation to learn about opportunities to get involved in decolonizing conservation. Whether your thing is field work, restoration or research or planning committees. we have something for you.

We are an organization delivering impactful work with place-based reconciliation & redress, conservation, education and culture. There are many ways for you to engage and assist our teams with the work. You can choose how frequently and where you enjoy being of service and learning—outdoors on the trails or in the Nursery, assisting with delivering events and educational displays in the Nature House, or adding your voice and skills on working committees—there is a place for you.

At the orientation we share background information about the WBT and Maplewood Flats and provide details about the roles, responsibilities and what you can get out of these experiences.

Reach out to volunteer@wildbirdtrust.org if you are inspired and want to take the next step.

---
The Wild Bird Trust of British Columbia (WBT) is a non-profit society that manages the Conservation Area at Maplewood Flats in North Vancouver. Our mission is to provide wild birds with sanctuary through ecological protection and restoration, and support communities with education, culture, and reconciliation programs.

We acknowledge that the Conservation Area at Maplewood Flats is situated within the traditional and unceded territory of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation (TWN).

Experience an engaging virtual tour of the Framing Our Relations: The Annual Wild Bird Trust Photo Exhibition to celebrate and learn more about contributions of the Maplewood Flats community of nature photographers. Hosted by expert wildlife photographer, Pierre Cenerelli, and WBT Program Coordinator, Senaqwila Wyss, the event offers a display and analysis of each of the 20 photographs featured in the exhibit and interviews with the photographers.
--
The Wild Bird Trust of British Columbia (WBT) is a non-profit society that manages the Conservation Area at Maplewood Flats in North Vancouver. Our mission is to provide wild birds with sanctuary through ecological protection and restoration, and support communities with education, culture, and reconciliation programs.

We acknowledge that Maplewood Flats is situated within the traditional and unceded territory of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation (TWN).

Join representatives from Tsleil-Waututh Nation, George Family, elected dignitaries, MONOVA and WBT speakers to reflect on Chief Dan's legacy.

This virtual reception will feature Tsleil-Waututh and local leaders gathered together on Saturday, June 12th to celebrate the exhibition and reflect on the legacy of Chief Dan George across the region. Hear family stories, and repercussions of Chief Dan on politics and culture for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.

The exhibit explores the life and legacy of Tsleil-Waututh Chief Dan George (Tśētsawanexw & Stalaston), 1899-1981. The exhibit focuses on his influence as an advocate for the rights of First Nations Peoples and his career as an actor. It also considers other significant figures, events and milestones in the First Nations rights movement in BC and Canada, and touches on the wider history and portrayal of indigenous people in film and television. The exhibit features stories and artifacts, including paintings, photographs and memorabilia, and was developed in close collaboration with the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and the George Family.

The Chief Dan George Exhibition opens Saturday, May 22, 2021 at the Nature House at Maplewood Flats and runs thru the summer months.

Explore decolonization theories as Chantelle Spicer (SFU MA Anthropology) joins Irwin Oostindie (Wild Bird Trust of BC) in tonight's Fireside Chat. They explore ways we learn and understand the values of decolonizing of land, parks, and the spaces in between in British Columbia. Chantelle shares some of her insights from her recent SFU Anthropology thesis: "Knowing the land as home and alive: Re-centering Snuneymuxw’s relationship to Saysutshun in co-management." There are strong parallels between Snuneymuxw First Nation's rights to Saysutshun (Newcastle Island Provincial Marine Park) and Tsleil-Waututh Nation's relations to Maplewood Flats. Through the intimacy of the fireside chat format we explore complex issues like settler denial that arise when considering how birders and tourists recognize and engage with the land, and strategies for placebased engagement in spaces like "North Vancouver" and "Nanaimo."

Here is a link to download Chantelle Spicer's thesis https://summit.sfu.ca/item/21468
"The overall goal of this thesis is to center ways Snuneymuxw First Nation (SFN) have known how to live collaboratively and collectively with their territory since time immemorial. This project looks specifically at the co-management of Saysutshun (Newcastle Island Provincial Marine Park) between SFN, BC Parks, and the City of Nanaimo. Co-management has been a strategy used by Indigenous peoples, including Snuneymuxw, to disrupt the power of the colonial state and reclaim aspects of self-determination. However, co-management structures often become another way the state maintains control over land and decision-making. Based in Indigenous methodologies described by Linda Tuhiwai Smith, anthropological policy and document analysis, and interviews Snuneymuxw, this thesis finds that there is a need to move beyond colonially-centered co-management and to re-centre Indigenous processes and institutions."

---

The Wild Bird Trust of British Columbia (WBT) is a non-profit society that manages the Conservation Area at Maplewood Flats in North Vancouver. Our mission is to provide wild birds with sanctuary through ecological protection and restoration, and support communities with education, culture, and reconciliation programs.

We acknowledge that The Conservation Area at Maplewood Flats is situated within the traditional and unceded territory of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation (TWN).

This month's Fireside Chat features Robbie George Tsiyálten and Charlene Aleck Ts'simtelot of Tsleil-Waututh sharing knowledge and stories in keeping with the Chief Dan George exhibit inside the nature house. Hosted by Irwin Oostindie (Wild Bird Trust) using 3 Zoom phone cameras, we sat out on the nature house patio with Charlene's gas fireplace, talked and ate snacks. Thanks to Sebnem Ozpeta for post-production.

---
The Wild Bird Trust of British Columbia (WBT) is a non-profit society that manages the Conservation Area at Maplewood Flats in North Vancouver. Our mission is to provide wild birds with sanctuary through ecological protection and restoration, and support communities with education, culture, and reconciliation programs.

We acknowledge that The Conservation Area at Maplewood Flats is situated within the traditional and unceded territory of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation (TWN).

Artist in Residence Rachelle George KWALTANAAT (Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish) is Wild Bird Trust’s featured artist-in-residence 2021 at Maplewood Flats.

In this event, family members Lee Maracle, Columpa Bobb and Tania Carter sit down for virtual tea for a conversation across time zones with Rachelle about mentorship, matriarchy, creative process, intergenerational storytelling, and their leadership role in confronting climate change and violence against women.

Rachelle will use her residency to develop, produce and present a play featuring local First Nations youth, with mentorship from Lee Maracle and Columpa Bobb. The residency will include a program of creative process activities and virtual events, plus selected public screenings and talks.
---
The Wild Bird Trust of British Columbia (WBT) is a non-profit society that manages the Conservation Area at Maplewood Flats in North Vancouver. Our mission is to provide wild birds with sanctuary through ecological protection and restoration, and support communities with education, culture, and reconciliation programs.

We acknowledge that The Conservation Area at Maplewood Flats is situated within the traditional and unceded territory of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation (TWN).

Load More... Subscribe