Report & Photos by Janet Snell

For our second oyster survey event, groups of Nature Vancouver volunteers spent two productive afternoons photographing the many Pacific oysters in the sheltered bay bordering Charleson Park. Many observations have been uploaded to iNaturalist showing clearly that this is one of the oyster hotspots in False Creek. Oysters and other bivalves contribute to improved water quality and provide valuable reef habitat for other marine life. As such, they help to improve the biodiversity of species found in False Creek. 

There will be three iNaturalist survey sessions in the month of June. Some of the lowest tides of the year are coming up. We welcome new volunteers to join us in this study. Over the next few months, we will be surveying the oyster population in False Creek using both iNaturalist and hands-on quadratic surveying. If you would like to join us, please sign up for one of our upcoming survey events. New volunteers will be given an orientation and iNaturalist review. All surveyors are welcome to participate in as many (or as few) as you like. The survey dates and more information is posted on https://naturevancouver.ca/false-creek-oyster-surveys-june-2023/

Contact Greg Leach (volunteer coordinator) to register for these events. greg@naturevancouver.ca

For general project questions, visit our webpage at http://naturevancouver.ca/conservation/false-creek-oyster-survey/ Or email Project Coordinator, Janet Snell: janet@naturevancouver.ca