Environment week weeds its way into Burnaby

Environment Week, hosted by the City of Burnaby, returns on June 4.

The program will run until June 10, with daily activities planned to help residents connect with the nature in the city.

Burnaby’s celebration also coincides with Canadian Environment Week, which aims to help Canadians better understand how they can help the planet by reducing waste and pollution and helping to preserve wildlife.

Burnaby’s programming has a similar goal of raising awareness about the wildlife surrounding the city through events and activities.

Check out the full breakdown of weekly activities below.

Sunday

Pop-up activity at The Amazing Brentwood: Learn more about the present and future of the Urban Forest Management Strategy and the new Official Community Plan process and goals by interacting with arborists and planning staff, who help to maintain the city’s tree canopy.

Guided nature walk - Burnaby Lake: Enjoy a nice walk through the park between 11am and 2pm, hosted by the Burnaby Lake Park Association. The walk is open to all ages and is free, but pre-registration is required.

Guided nature walk - Cariboo Heights: Walk through the Cariboo Heights forested area trails between 3-4:30pm, hosted by the Cariboo Heights Forest Preservation Society. The event is open to all ages and free, but pre-registration is required.

Tuesday

Guided canoe trips - Deer Lake: Stop by for one of two guided canoe trip sessions between 6pm and 7:15pm with an experienced canoe instructor and enjoy the sights and sounds of Deer Lake. No experience is necessary, but pre-registration is required.

Saturday

Eco-Centre open house: Stop by the award-winning eco-centre between 10am and 2pm to enjoy live music, a free bag of compost (available on a first-come, first-serve basis to Burnaby residents only), and a meet-and-greet with the staff falcon. The event is free and open to all ages.

Ecosystem restoration - Cariboo Heights Forest: Join the Green Teams of Canada’s Lower Mainland and Cariboo Heights Forest Preservation Society for a day of invasive species plant removal between 9:45am and 1pm. This family-friendly event is free, and you can register here.

Indigenous Photo Tour - Deer Lake: Join a guided tour focused on photography tips for both film cameras and phones. The tour is led by Indigenous guides and photographers John Preissi and Laurie Beeman, who will also share some of the Indigenous history of Deer Lake and the surrounding area. The event runs from 1:30-3pm.

Ongoing

Go by Bike Week: Join the Metro Vancouver celebration of biking from May 29 to June 4 by tracking your rides, building a team, and having some friendly competition. You can also win prizes and stop by celebrations stations. Register for Bike Week here.

National Commuter Challenge: Join the friendly competition to see which Canadian city and workplaces can clock the most green-friendly ways of commuting, which includes carpooling, walking, biking, and public transportation. Register here and clock your commutes from June 4 to 10.

Storm drain marking: Help improve resident knowledge by painting yellow fish on storm drains that lead to fish-bearing streams. If you’re interested in helping, reach out to [email protected] to get set up with supplies and logistical support between June 4 and 10.