VISIT
Conservation Area Information
Welcome to The Conservation Area at Maplewood Flats! We acknowledge that this area is on the unceded lands and waters of the Tsleil-Waututh and Coast Salish Peoples.
The Conservation Area invites exploration and discovery. You will find a wonderful diversity of life, from the simplest organisms to the most complex.
All living things at Maplewood Flats are linked together in food webs built upon a foundation of plants that capture the sun’s energy, turning it into the fuel that supports animal life. We all share the precious resources of space, air, food, and water with these organisms.
Barge Channel restoration. Photo by Chloe Hartley
The site includes a 96-hectare intertidal area composed of mudflats and salt marsh. A 30-hectare upland area features deciduous and mixed forest, rough grassland, and freshwater marsh habitats. More than two hundred and fifty species of birds have been observed here to date.
Access to the site is free. Wild Bird Trust is a non-profit society that manages the Conservation Area at Maplewood Flats – please consider becoming a member and supporting Wild Bird Trust to help us maintain the trails and facilities.
Guidelines for Trail Use
(How to respect the site)
01.
Stay on the trails
Failure to do so can cause serious damage to the ecosystems and their inhabitants.
02.
Stay off the beaches, mudflats, and salt marsh
These areas are particularly sensitive to disturbance, and existing sinkholes can be very dangerous, if not deadly.
03.
Keep your dog on leash & on the east side of the bridge
No dogs are permitted across the Westcoast Bridge, as they disturb birds and other wildlife.
04.
Park your bike
There is a bike rack located adjacent to the greeter hut near the trail entrance.
05.
Do not touch or disturb wildlife
When taking a photo or making an observation, give wildlife a wide berth. Do not make loud noises or try to move the wildlife in order to stage photographs.
06.
Resist picking flowers or berries
These provide vital food sources for wildlife. Practice a “no trace” visit by taking away only photographs (and garbage).
Stop frequently, listen, and look!
Take some time to enjoy the magic of the area’s many treasures.
Let nature reveal itself to you.
Report any emergencies by dialling 911.
Additional Information
Hours
The Conservation Area at Maplewood Flats is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Washrooms
Washrooms are available at the Greeter Hut and Corrigan Nature House during volunteer hours (typically on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays & Sundays).
Parking
Vehicle parking is free. Please do not park in Environment Canada´s Staff Parking Area Monday-Friday 8:00 am – 5:30 pm. You may use their parking area after 5:30 pm, on weekends, and on Statutory Holidays.
Accessibility
The entire trail network is wheelchair accessible, as are the washrooms.
Transit
A Translink Bus stop is located on Dollarton Hwy just past the entrance to the site. Visit the Translink webpage for transit schedules. Our address is 2649 Dollarton Highway, North Vancouver, BC, V7H 1B1.
- From the east: From Phibbs Exchange near the intersection of Dollarton Highway and the Trans Canada Highway, take 212 Deep Cove bus (Bay 8) or 215 Indian River (Bay 6) to EASTBOUND DOLLARTON HWY AT 2600 BLOCK stop.
- From the west: get off the bus at WESTBOUND DOLLARTON HWY AT 2500 BLOCK stop.
All Seasons Self-Guided Tour
Download the map (PDF). The map is also included in the latest Wingspan magazine or get the All Seasons Self-Guided Tour brochure at the Greeter’s Hut.
