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Author: Kelly Sekhon

In Memoriam – William James (Bill) Merilees 

In Memoriam – William James (Bill) Merilees 

A BORN NATURALIST July 19, 1940 – 18 June, 2025  by Margaret Bear Bill was among Nature Vancouver’s most distinguished naturalists, constantly adding to our knowledge of the natural world. He was also among our most prolific writers contributing many articles to the Discovery Journal, for various newsletters, as well as writing several reference books published for a wider audience. He wrote about a great variety of subjects including mammals, botany, marine biology – and of course birds – where it ostensibly…

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Birding Along Trans Canada Trail

Birding Along Trans Canada Trail

Trip Report and Photos by Doug Cooper Seven participants enjoyed the morning of June 15th exploring a kilometre or so of the Trans Canada Trail as it climbs up and east from Penzance Drive in north Burnaby.  The main trail and accompanying side branches go through a healthy mostly undisturbed stretch of mixed secondary growth forest.  We saw and heard a total of 33 species of birds and found a few blooming wildflowers, despite the proximity of the trail to…

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Nature Journal and Birding: An Introduction

Nature Journal and Birding: An Introduction

Report & Photos Submitted by Joanna Chin On May 25th, during the Vancouver Bird Celebration week, we had a full house with 18 participants for “Nature Journal and Birding: An Introduction” event. We met at Iona Beach Regional Park on the West side of the outer ponds. It was a beautiful sunny day with a light breeze, and we set-up our chairs in a circular formation conducive for conversations and learning from each other. I started off with a land acknowledgement…

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2025 Annual General Meeting

2025 Annual General Meeting

The 107th Annual General Meeting of Nature Vancouver was held on Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 7:00 pm at Hewett Centre Hall, Unitarian Church, 949 West 49th Avenue (49th & Oak) Vancouver. Some of the members attended the meeting online via Zoom. The draft minutes of the 2024 AGM and, the draft financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024 were approved. The President and the Treasurer’s report were presented. President’s Report Treasurer’s Report Financial Statements – 2024 Final Minutes…

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2025 Volunteer Appreciation & Annual Awards

2025 Volunteer Appreciation & Annual Awards

This year’s Volunteer awards were presented on 15th May, 2025 at the AGM. Kaye and Charles Ney Award The premier award of the Society for “lifetime” exemplary service and dedication to the Society. Active Directors of the Society are not eligible for this award until they have served more than 10 years as a Director. This award was established in 1975 in memory of Kaye Ney by her husband and renamed after his death. Denis Laplante & Teresa Gagné Denis…

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In Memoriam – Richard Swanston 1955 – 2025

In Memoriam – Richard Swanston 1955 – 2025

Submitted by Jennifer Swanston Richard Swanston, of Tsawwassen, passed away unexpectedly on April 3. He was born in Vancouver in 1955 to parents Doug and Ella Swanston. A loving brother, uncle and friend, Rick will be dearly missed. He kept connected to his elementary school and high school friends with strong bonds that in some cases crossed date lines and equators. Rick was destined for life on the sea – in a letter home written from Sea Cadets camp he…

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Birding in Burnaby Foreshore Park – April 12, 2025

Birding in Burnaby Foreshore Park – April 12, 2025

Trip report by Jan Lowcock Cool, strong winds greeted 23 Nature Vancouver field trips participants who joined Neill and Jan for exploration of the Burnaby Foreshore Park. We began at the foot of Byrne Road and headed west, moving away from the Fraser River, towards a pond and shelter from the breeze. The pond yielded Mallards, Northern Shovelers, Wood Ducks and Gadwall. Adjacent bushes gave us wrens, towhees, Bushtits and sparrows. Yellow-rumped Warblers, kinglets, Northern Flickers and Downy Woodpeckers were spotted at the edges…

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Jericho Beach Park Birding Field Trip – April 13, 2025

Jericho Beach Park Birding Field Trip – April 13, 2025

Trip report by Sarah-Jane McAuley Trip leaders Michelle Baudais, Harvey Dueck, and Sarah-Jane McAuley had a full house of enthusiastic birders on a beautiful spring day in Jericho Beach Park. Beginning at the beach, we were lucky to spot Horned Grebes in their striking breeding plumage, a large raft of Red-breasted Mergansers, and a few Bonaparte’s Gulls. As we continued along the beach, a few distant Red-necked Grebes appeared, and the raft of Red-Breasted Mergansers swam close to the beach,…

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Birds and Wildflowers of Horth Hill Park

Birds and Wildflowers of Horth Hill Park

Trip report by Naomi Ross With a last-minute change of leaders, trip to Horth Hill became an exploratory field trip. Thankfully, Wally was able to join us as a local guide and wildflower expert for part of the trip. Denis and Teresa were our botanists, Harvey and Michelle were our birders, and Denis was able to provide navigation when Wally wasn’t with us. On April 12, twelve participants, including four guests, met on board the ferry from Tsawwassen which more…

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Nature Vancouver Citizen Science Project – City Nature Challenge 2025

Nature Vancouver Citizen Science Project – City Nature Challenge 2025

Have Fun and Support Nature at the same time! Are you looking for a good reason to get outdoors that also helps nature and is fun for everyone? There is a great challenge for you and it’s easy and free to do. The City Nature Challenge 2025 is an opportunity for individuals or groups to spend time outdoors, make observations of nature and document them in a way that allows others to get a better understanding of biodiversity in the Vancouver area….

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