We need your support to protect wild birds
and the ecosystems they depend on.

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

Photo credit: Merganser Ducklings by Ming Robin

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. Guidelines for trail use and a self-guided tour map are provided to make your visit comfortable. 

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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.

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News & Stories

Why We Need To Protect Our Rainforests

June 21, 2023 No Comments

B.C.’s interior, rainforests are being logged at a rapid rate. Which not only affects the creatures that call it home but also the communities that depend on them. At the Wild Bird Trust we have an active plan to combat deforestation, read on to see how we’re conducting this plan.

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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.

Session 6 Roundtable: Decolonizing Birding Organizations Reconciliation And Redress In Conservation Highlighting models and plenary discussion from participants. *** Decolonizing Bird Knowledge Symposium Saturday, November 30th from 10:30am to 4:00pm PT Birding across Turtle Island is undergoing a long overdue moment of accountability and diversification, and this first-of-its-kind gathering heralds the future for birding. In this symposium, hear inspiring speakers from across Turtle Island on Indigenous Knowledge and decolonization of birding and bird knowledge. Through practical case studies from some rock star birders and theoretical sessions this was an inspiring day! At its heart, Indigenous Knowledge holders continue to confront the biases embedded in western science that dominates this space, reflecting its colonial roots. Together we want to go further and address land dispossession and other decolonizing birding issues. 1. Emerging culture shift in birding communities and efforts to decolonize, diversify, and implement ‘Two Eyed Seeing.’ 2. Lessons of tackling bird names and efforts at un-naming from the USA. 3. Amplify projects around building inclusivity and cultural safety. 4. Consider where we bird and First Nations’ land rights beneath our feet. How does UNDRIP impact birding? 5. Be inspired by what Indigenous Knowledge teaches us about biodiversity and birding. Why is the Wild Bird Trust of BC doing this work? Wild Bird Trust of BC has worked methodically for 7 years towards land back of the only wildlife sanctuary in Vancouver’s harbour. We now recognize that by creating this celebrated birding conservation area 30+ years ago we displaced Tsleil-Waututh Nations from land and waters they have stewarded for millennia. Today the Wild Bird Trust of BC is controlled by Tsleil-Waututh community members, marking the first time a conservation organisation has surrendered control to a local First Nation. Through public programs and our magazine ‘Wingspan,’ we educate the community and promote this practice. In 2022 we created a Decolonizing Ornithology Advisory committee including Melissa Hafting (Author, BC Birder Girl), Jeffrey Nichols (President RAVEN Trust), and Irwin Oostindie (WBT Board, Decolonization Planner). Our work proposes a disruption in birding practices here in British Columbia, and beyond, towards inclusive birding that reconsiders bird knowledge through an Indigenous lens. --- 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 | https://coastsalishplantnursery.org #maplewoodflats #decolonizingconservation #wildbirdsanctuary
Session 5: Whose land are we birding on? Access, displacement, and land rights A panel discussion with Steve Hampton, Seth George, Cease Wyss, and Alyssa Bardy Steve Hampton is a member of the American Ornithological Society's Ad Hoc Committee for English Bird Names, where he helped draft the recommendation to change all honorific names. He worked for the California Dept of Fish & Wildlife for 25 years, involved in oil spill damage assessments, seabird restoration, and tribal coordination. He lives in Port Townsend, Washington (also known as qatáy, S'Klallam lands) and serves as the Conservation Chair of Rainshadow Bird Alliance (formerly known as Admiralty Audubon Society). Steve’s writings are at stephen-carr-hampton.com. Seth George has been a Culture Teacher at the Tsleil-Waututh Nation siʔáḿθət School. Seth is a Guide with TWN-owned Takaya Tours social enterprise outdoor adventure company. He enjoys paddling and canoe culture and has frequented Maplewood Flats all his life. T’uy’t’tanat Cease Wyss is an Indigenous Matriarc of the Skwxwu7mesh, Sto:lo and Hawaiian people. Through her work as an ethnobotanist, artist, activist and community-based educator, they strive to share Indigenous customs, teachings, and futures and to connect Indigenous peoples. Wyss’s thirty-year career encompasses a vast array of practices, from weaving, making remedies, medicine walks to the realm of Indigenous Digital Futurisms. Ceases’ interactive, community-based work is insightful and informative of their contemporary conditions. Cease Wyss has been an inspirational teacher at Maplewood Flats sharing her vast array of knowledges impacting ecology and Indigenous rights. Her ideas are shared on her website https://tuyttanatceasewyss.ca/about Alyssa Bardy is a self-taught natural light photographer and a visual storyteller, a mother and a wife. Her photography tells the stories of motherhood, Indigenous reconnection, nationhood, and interconnectedness with Land, with a special passion for birds. Alyssa uses the lens as a tool for herself, her children, and future generations to learn and share the brilliance and beauty of both culture and creation. Alyssa is Upper Cayuga of Six Nations of the Grand River and is a member of Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, where she and her family reside. Examples of her work can be found in publications for Canadian Geographic and the McMichael Canadian Art Collection. She has collaborated with artists such as Morningstar Designs and Chief Lady Bird and has provided imagery for the written words of Christi Belcourt, Waubgeshig Rice, Amy Shawanda and Christine Lukasavitch- MacRae, among others though the Centre for Humans and Nature. Most recent exhibitions include her piece, People of the Longhouse in the Woodland Cultural Centre 2023 Indigenous Art show, and Nyá:wen Wháta, on public display in downtown Kingston, in 2023 as part of the Waawaateg exhibit. *** Decolonizing Bird Knowledge Symposium Saturday, November 30th from 10:30am to 4:00pm PT Birding across Turtle Island is undergoing a long overdue moment of accountability and diversification, and this first-of-its-kind gathering heralds the future for birding. In this symposium, hear inspiring speakers from across Turtle Island on Indigenous Knowledge and decolonization of birding and bird knowledge. Through practical case studies from some rock star birders and theoretical sessions this was an inspiring day! At its heart, Indigenous Knowledge holders continue to confront the biases embedded in western science that dominates this space, reflecting its colonial roots. Together we want to go further and address land dispossession and other decolonizing birding issues. 1. Emerging culture shift in birding communities and efforts to decolonize, diversify, and implement ‘Two Eyed Seeing.’ 2. Lessons of tackling bird names and efforts at un-naming from the USA. 3. Amplify projects around building inclusivity and cultural safety. 4. Consider where we bird and First Nations’ land rights beneath our feet. How does UNDRIP impact birding? 5. Be inspired by what Indigenous Knowledge teaches us about biodiversity and birding. --- 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 | https://coastsalishplantnursery.org #maplewoodflats #decolonizingconservation #wildbirdsanctuary
Welcome & Opening Remarks Session 1: Tsleil-Waututh Welcoming (Les George, WBT Board) Session 2: Decolonizing Bird Knowledge at Maplewood Flats (Karen Thomas and Irwin Oostindie) Decolonizing Birding Knowledge Symposium Saturday, November 30th from 10:30am to 4:00pm PT In the spirit of migration: “We didn’t cross the borders, the borders crossed us.” Speakers: Stephen Carr Hampton (Cherokee Nation/Choctaw), Melissa Hafting (Moderator/Walk Lead), Jordan Rutter (Bird Names for Birds), Karen Thomas (Tsleil-Waututh, Archeologist, President/Wild Bird Trust), Cease Wyss (Squamish, ethnobotanist), Irwin Oostindie (VP/Wild Bird Trust, Dutch Settler), Les George (Tsleil-Waututh, Secretary/WBT), Seth George (Tsleil-Waututh, Takaya Tours). About the Event: Birding across Turtle Island is undergoing a long overdue moment of accountability and diversification, and this first-of-its-kind gathering heralds the future for birding. Hear inspiring speakers on Indigenous Knowledge and decolonization of birding and bird knowledge. Through outdoor walks, a networking lunch, practical case studies and theoretical sessions this was an inspiring day! At its heart, Indigenous Knowledge holders continue to confront the biases embedded in western science that dominates this space, reflecting its colonial roots. Together we want to go further and address land dispossession and other decolonizing birding issues. Hear and learn from our speakers about: 1. Emerging culture shift in birding communities and efforts to decolonize, diversify, and implement ‘Two Eyed Seeing.’ 2. Lessons of tackling bird names and efforts at un-naming from the USA. 3. Amplify projects around building inclusivity and cultural safety. 4. Consider where we bird and First Nations’ land rights beneath our feet. How does UNDRIP impact birding? 5. Be inspired by what Indigenous Knowledge teaches us about biodiversity and birding. Why is the Wild Bird Trust of BC doing this work? Wild Bird Trust of BC has worked methodically for 7 years towards land back of the only wildlife sanctuary in Vancouver’s harbour. We now recognize that by creating this celebrated birding conservation area 30+ years ago we displaced Tsleil-Waututh Nations from land and waters they have stewarded for millennia. Today the Wild Bird Trust of BC is controlled by Tsleil-Waututh community members, marking the first time a conservation organisation has surrendered control to a local First Nation. Through public programs and our magazine ‘Wingspan,’ we educate the community and promote this practice. In 2022 we created a Decolonizing Ornithology Advisory committee including Melissa Hafting (Author, BC Birder Girl), Jeffrey Nichols (President RAVEN Trust), and Irwin Oostindie (WBT Board, Decolonization Planner). Our work proposes a disruption in birding practices here in British Columbia, and beyond, towards inclusive birding that reconsiders bird knowledge through an Indigenous lens. --- 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 | https://coastsalishplantnursery.org #maplewoodflats #decolonizingconservation #wildbirdsanctuary
Session 4: What can US efforts at inclusivity in birding teach us? by Jordan Rutter (co-founder, Bird Names for Birds) Jordan Rutter is a life-long birder with a passion for connecting others to the natural world through birds. She is the cofounder of Bird Names for Birds, an initiative advocating that eponymous common bird names be changed using a new decision-making process developed that would include all community members. Building on her 15+ years of experience in ornithology and science communication, Jordan's interest in improving birding accessibility is connected to her passionate belief that the joy of birds belongs to everyone. Jordan has an M.Sc. in conservation biology from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. Follow Jordan Rutter’s work at http://birdnamesforbirds.com. Decolonising Birding Knowledge Symposium Saturday, November 30th, 2024 from 10:30am to 4:00pm PT Birding across Turtle Island is undergoing a long overdue moment of accountability and diversification, and this first-of-its-kind gathering heralds the future for birding. Join us online (in-person is sold out!) via Zoom to hear inspiring speakers from across Turtle Island on Indigenous Knowledge and decolonization of birding and bird knowledge. Through practical case studies from some rock star birders and theoretical sessions this will be an inspiring day! At its heart, Indigenous Knowledge holders continue to confront the biases embedded in western science that dominates this space, reflecting its colonial roots. Together we want to go further and address land dispossession and other decolonizing birding issues. Hear and learn from our speakers about: 1. Emerging culture shift in birding communities and efforts to decolonize, diversify, and implement ‘Two Eyed Seeing.’ 2. Lessons of tackling bird names and efforts at un-naming from the USA. 3. Amplify projects around building inclusivity and cultural safety. 4. Consider where we bird and First Nations’ land rights beneath our feet. How does UNDRIP impact birding? 5. Be inspired by what Indigenous Knowledge teaches us about biodiversity and birding. Why is the Wild Bird Trust of BC doing this work? Wild Bird Trust of BC has worked methodically for 7 years towards land back of the only wildlife sanctuary in Vancouver’s harbour. We now recognize that by creating this celebrated birding conservation area 30+ years ago we displaced Tsleil-Waututh Nations from land and waters they have stewarded for millennia. Today the Wild Bird Trust of BC is controlled by Tsleil-Waututh community members, marking the first time a conservation organisation has surrendered control to a local First Nation. Through public programs and our magazine ‘Wingspan,’ we educate the community and promote this practice. In 2022 we created a Decolonizing Ornithology Advisory committee including Melissa Hafting (Author, BC Birder Girl), Jeffrey Nichols (President RAVEN Trust), and Irwin Oostindie (WBT Board, Decolonization Planner). Our work proposes a disruption in birding practices here in British Columbia, and beyond, towards inclusive birding that reconsiders bird knowledge through an Indigenous lens. --- 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 Maplewood Flats Conservation Area is situated within the traditional and unceded territory of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation (TWN). https://wildbirdtrust.org | https://coastsalishplantnursery.org #maplewoodflats #decolonizingconservation #wildbirdsanctuary
To fight or to create: One Native's perspectives on decolonization Keynote by Steve Hampton (Cherokee Nation/Choctaw) for Decolonizing Bird Knowledge Symposium 2024 Steve Hampton is a member of the American Ornithological Society's Ad Hoc Committee for English Bird Names, where he helped draft the recommendation to change all honorific names. He worked for the California Dept of Fish & Wildlife for 25 years, involved in oil spill damage assessments, seabird restoration, and tribal coordination. He lives in Port Townsend, Washington (also known as qatáy, S'Klallam lands) and serves as the Conservation Chair of Rainshadow Bird Alliance (formerly known as Admiralty Audubon Society). Deep dive into Indigenous Knowledge and the challenges around Western ornithology. Stephen is at http://stephen-carr-hampton.com *** Decolonising Birding Knowledge Symposium Saturday, November 30th from 10:30am to 4:00pm PT Birding across Turtle Island is undergoing a long overdue moment of accountability and diversification, and this first-of-its-kind gathering heralds the future for birding. In this symposium, hear inspiring speakers on Indigenous Knowledge and decolonization of birding and bird knowledge. Through outdoor walks, a networking lunch, practical case studies and theoretical sessions this will be an inspiring day! At its heart, Indigenous Knowledge holders continue to confront the biases embedded in western science that dominates this space, reflecting its colonial roots. Together we want to go further and address land dispossession and other decolonizing birding issues. Hear and learn from our speakers about: 1. Emerging culture shift in birding communities and efforts to decolonize, diversify, and implement ‘Two Eyed Seeing.’ 2. Lessons of tackling bird names and efforts at un-naming from the USA. 3. Amplify projects around building inclusivity and cultural safety. 4. Consider where we bird and First Nations’ land rights beneath our feet. How does UNDRIP impact birding? 5. Be inspired by what Indigenous Knowledge teaches us about biodiversity and birding. Why is the Wild Bird Trust of BC doing this work? Wild Bird Trust of BC has worked methodically for 7 years towards land back of the only wildlife sanctuary in Vancouver’s harbour. We now recognize that by creating this celebrated birding conservation area 30+ years ago we displaced Tsleil-Waututh Nations from land and waters they have stewarded for millennia. Today the Wild Bird Trust of BC is controlled by Tsleil-Waututh community members, marking the first time a conservation organisation has surrendered control to a local First Nation. Through public programs and our magazine ‘Wingspan,’ we educate the community and promote this practice. In 2022 we created a Decolonizing Ornithology Advisory committee including Melissa Hafting (Author, BC Birder Girl), Jeffrey Nichols (President RAVEN Trust), and Irwin Oostindie (WBT Board, Decolonization Planner). Our work proposes a disruption in birding practices here in British Columbia, and beyond, towards inclusive birding that reconsiders bird knowledge through an Indigenous lens. --- 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 Maplewood Flats Conservation Area is situated within the traditional and unceded territory of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation (TWN). https://wildbirdtrust.org | https://coastsalishplantnursery.org #maplewoodflats #decolonizingconservation #wildbirdsanctuary
The Coast Salish Plant Nursery is where Indigenous knowledge, sustainability, and community come together. We reflect on our work with native plants, the importance of preserving cultural practices, and the challenges posed by invasive species. The plant nursery reconnects people with the land, plants, and traditions, while working toward ecological sustainability and knowledge sharing. Key Highlights: 🌱 Cultural Significance: The nursery helps revitalize Coast Salish plant traditions, offering a meaningful connection to Indigenous ways of life. 🌲 Restoration through Native Plants: Efforts focus on propagating native species like trailing blackberry and restoring ecosystems affected by urbanization and invasive plants like Himalayan blackberry. 👥 Community Impact: The nursery is a space where settlers and Indigenous communities can collaborate, fostering education and understanding about plant ecosystems and traditional medicines. 📈 Social Enterprise: As one of the few storefronts for native plants, it also provides hands-on, land-based education programs, such as plant propagation workshops, to support public engagement and environmental restoration. Watch the full video to explore the intersection of Indigenous knowledge and environmental stewardship! 🎥 Featuring Melissa West-Morrison and Senaqwila Wyss Director, producer, editor: Kira Aindow https://www.youtube.com/@kiraaindow Cinematographers: Daniela Llerena & Alvin Gu Coast Salish Plant Nursery Growing Indigenous Knowledge https://coastsalishplantnursery.org --- --- --- 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 #landbasedpedagogy #wildbirdsanctuary #landback
The 16th Annual Osprey Festival is a unique celebration of shared lands and cultures in North Vancouver. The Osprey Festival is a platform for the general public to learn about reconciliation-in-action with the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. The Festival features plant and bird walks, local and national-touring musical acts on an outdoor stage, tasty festival food, a children’s zone, and visual arts. Located in the heart of unceded lands of the Tsleil-Waututh, the Nature House at Maplewood Flats serves as the Festival hub, with a main stage near the trail entrance, and programming activities located across the 311-acre site. This year, the festival spanned 2 days to include the 3rd annual "Indigenous Knowledge for Climate Change Action Symposium" Connect with leading edge scientists, landscape architects, Indigenous knowledge keepers, and climate activists who are explore the application of Indigenous Knowledge on sea-level rise issues with particular focus on Burrard Inlet. By centering climate solutions with Indigenous Knowledge, we can effectively apply both a justice lens and a science lens to this crisis. In this symposium, we will consider local and global impacts of climate change on sea-level rise, explore actions and innovations being taken, understand how Indigenous Knowledge is guiding solutions, and consider landscape architecture alternatives on the site. Public policy on climate change adaptation must include education and orientation to practical local solutions. Hear from a wide range of professionals and academics address sea-level rise here in Coast Salish lands and waters. Speakers will be present in the Nature House. Video by filmmaker Jaime Leigh Gianopoulos @JaimeJhilmil --- 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 #wildbirdsanctuary
COAST SALISH PLANT NURSERY Our annual fall native plant sale is back! As the vibrant hues of autumn leaves begin to paint the landscape, gardeners and conservation enthusiasts alike have a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on our Coast Salish ecosystem. Fall, with its mild temperatures and ample rainfall, emerges as the unparalleled season for planting native plant species. For members of the Wild Bird Trust of BC, this is not just a time to enhance the beauty of our gardens, but a crucial period to foster biodiversity and support our feathered friends (and their neighbours). WHEN September 14-October 27; Saturday & Sunday: 11 AM - 3 PM WHERE Coast Salish Plant Nursery, Maplewood Flats 2649 Dollarton Highway, North Vancouver / Tsleil-Waututh Territory
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
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Head Office

Wild Bird Trust of BC
Maplewood Flats, 2649 Dollarton Highway,
North Vancouver, BC, V7H 1B1
Unceded Tsleil-Waututh Territory

(2km from Second Narrows Bridge)
hours
Office: Monday to Friday 9am-5pm
Conservation Area: Open 24 hours

Contact

Phone

Phone : + 1 604-929-2379

corrigan nature house rentals

rentals@wildbirdtrust.org

Membership inquiries

membership@wildbirdtrust.org

volunteering

volunteer@wildbirdtrust.org