Maplewood Flats

11/13/2026

Are you looking for a meaningful way to spend a morning outdoors and support local ecosystem regeneration? 🍂

Join our Habitat & Site Stewardship crew for "All Things Leaves!" on Thursday, November 26, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Maplewood Flats, 2649 Dollarton Hwy in Tsleil-Waututh Territory/North Vancouver.

This event is open to everyone—whether it's your first time volunteering or you're a regular with the Habitat Crew!

We’ll be gathering fallen leaves from the parking lot to mulch native plants and tuck our nursery plants in for the winter.

Why are fallen leaves valuable for habitat restoration? Here are 3 key benefits:

1️⃣ Nature’s Winter Blanket: A layer of leaf mulch insulates plant roots from harsh frosts and regulates soil temperature.
2️⃣ Free, Nutrient-Rich Soil: As leaves break down, they return vital organic matter and nutrients back into the earth, boosting spring growth.
3️⃣ Critter & Pollinator Habitat: Fallen leaves provide essential overwintering shelter for beneficial insects, butterflies, and soil microbes—which in turn feed our local birds!

What to Bring: Plenty of water, weather-appropriate clothing (coat, long-sleeved shirt, long pants), and sturdy, mud-friendly footwear.
Accessibility: Work takes place on uneven ground and involves bending over, though we are happy to modify activities if you need support! Questions? Email [email protected].

👉 Register for free before spots fill up (only 5 spots remaining as of this posting!): https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/habitat-and-site-stewardship-all-things-leaves-november--26

11/13/2026

🌧️ Escape the rain, warm your hands with spiced hot apple c***r, and help us pot 1,000 Camas bulbs this Sunday!

Camas is far more than a stunning blue wildflower—it is a cornerstone of Coast Salish food systems, seasonal tending, and ecological balance. As we look toward re-rooting Indigenous plant knowledge and create urban biodiversity, we invite you to an interactive community workshop on Camas planting.

🌿 What to expect:
- Learn about Camas cultivation, traditional harvesting, and habitat restoration.
- Get your hands in the soil to pot 1,000 bulbs destined for local community projects and teaching gardens.
- Hot c***r provided.

🎙️ Guest instructors & hosts:
Les George (səlilwətaɬ / Tsleil-Waututh)
Irwin Oostindie
Ethan Ardal

📍 Location: Coast Salish Plant Nursery @ Maplewood Flats, 2649 Dollarton Highway, Tsleil-Waututh Territory / North Vancouver

🗓️ Date & Time: This Sunday, November 15th, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
🎟️ Cost: 100% Free | Drop-in welcome | 18 persons max capacity. | All supplies provided including a $15 voucher to claim a potted and germinated camas bulb in the Spring.
Reserve your spot: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/camas-planting-workshop

Bring your curiosity, your friends, and your love for restoring urban nature. Let’s grow our Indigenous ecological knowledge together! 🌱✨

11/11/2026

The trails at Maplewood Flats are open again starting today, Remembrance Day (Nov. 11th).

We advise that you remain bear aware over the next few days as you enjoy the trails at Maplewood Flats again. Generally, black bears enter their winter dens between October and December, and emerge in March or April. BC is affected by a strong El Niño this season (reported to peak right during the November–December denning window), which not only affects berry yields and salmon runs, the milder temperatures and delayed snow accumulation also keep the bears active on-site later into the denning season than usual.

Please note that our bird survey crew reported windfall on the northwest trail near the woodlot this past weekend (marked with the Caution sign on the photo). More may occur as the weather turns. If you see fallen branches and tree trunks on the trails, please email [email protected], or let any of the staff on-site / at the Nature House know.

Some sections of the trails may be closed due to our Demonstration Garden construction. Check the construction sign near the bulletin board for more details.

11/11/2026

🌿 November Volunteer Opportunities with the Wild Bird Trust of BC 🌿

Give back to nature and connect with WBT community members this month! We have a fantastic lineup of volunteer events and workshops scheduled throughout November. Check out the schedule below and sign up today:

📍 Annual Members Photography Exhibit – Set Up
🗓 Tuesday, Nov 12 | ⏰ 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

📍 Candle Making at the Nature House
🗓 Thursday, Nov 14 | ⏰ 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

📍 spé-nxʷ / Camas Planting Workshop
🗓 Friday, Nov 15 | ⏰ 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

📍 Habitat & Site Stewardship – All Things Leaves!
🗓 Wednesday, Nov 26 | ⏰ 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM

📍 Habitat & Site Stewardship
🗓 Friday, Nov 28 | ⏰ 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM (SOLD OUT!)

👉 How to Register:
Spots are filling up! Head to the link below (or visit our website bio link) to reserve your spot:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/organizations/wild-bird-trust-of-british-columbia

📸 Pictured: Amanda, one of our amazing Habitat & Site Stewardship volunteers, during an ivy pull.

11/04/2026

Breaking: We just spotted three bear cubs foraging on-site. Mama bear has not been sighted yet but she is likely not far away from her babies. Trails are closed effective now (afternoon of Nov. 4th) until our next update!

10/23/2026

🐻 Wildlife Update: Black Bear Activity at Maplewood Flats

Please be aware that black bear activity has been reported on site since October 4th. A juvenile black bear was spotted yesterday near the Nature House, with the mother likely nearby in the area.

To ensure safety for both visitors and wildlife:
⛔ Trail Closures: Some trails past the bridge may be closed. Please respect all posted signs and barriers.
📋 On-Site Updates: Check the bulletin board near the picnic table area for the latest updates on bear presence and trail conditions before heading out.

🐾 Bear Safety Tips:
• Keep pets on a leash and stay on designated paths. If possible, don't bring your pets to prevent potential encounters with bears in the area.
• Give bears plenty of space and never approach or feed wildlife.
• Pack out all food scraps and trash.

👀 If you see a bear:
• Call the North Van District Bear Line: 604-990-2327, or
• Report sighting to staff on site, or
• Email your sightings and questions to: [email protected].

Wildlife safety is a team effort! Thank you for your cooperation in keeping Maplewood Flats safe for everyone.

10/04/2026

On Sunday, October 4th you are invited to join T’uy’t’tanat Cease Wyss , ethnobotanist, media artist, educator and activist of Skwxwu7mesh/Stó:lō/Hawaiian/Swiss ancestry, for a free Coast Salish Plant Walk at Maplewood Flats (territory of the səlilwətaɬ Tsleil-Waututh Nation).

Time: 11 AM to Noon and 1 PM to 2 PM

Location: Meet at the Coast Salish Plant Nursery (2649 Dollarton Hwy, North Vancouver).

This event is being organized as part of the Urban Tree Canopy Festival in partnership with the Wild Bird Trust/Coast Salish Plant Nursery and District of North Vancouver.

Photo by fabio_fercher_birdphotography

09/21/2026

09/18/2026

🚨 VOLUNTEER CALL-OUT: Weekend Shifts Open! 🦉

We are looking for trained Nursery volunteers to step in and cover open shifts this coming weekend (Saturday, September 19th & Sunday, September 20th).

If you’ve already completed your Nursery volunteer training and have a few hours to spare, we’d greatly appreciate your help!

Shift Details:
Duration: 2- or 3-hour shifts
Requirement: Must be a trained Nursery volunteer. (If you are First Aid certified, please let us know when signing up!)
Goal: We maintain a minimum of 2 volunteers on site per shift to ensure a safe, welcoming space for everyone.

👉 Ready to help out? Head over to our volunteer portal to claim a shift: https://volunteersignup.org/WFTYC?zlinkid=16b91f27-1a1c-4c88-a239-c95102193d1f

Thank you so much for your ongoing support and dedication! 🌱

08/08/2026

Opening tomorrow! Come on by!

We're so excited to see you next Saturday, August 8th at the Osprey Festival (10 AM to 4 PM)!

Join us for the opening of the art exhibition “Conversations With The Salish Sea." In response to the threat of dredging in the Inlet, artists have gathered to celebrate and acknowledge water as collaborator, connector, memory, and more.

Inlet Exhibition Tour & Artist Talk 12:15-1:00 PM
Exhibition Open Viewing 1:00 PM to 1:45 PM

This project is in the unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples, with specific recognition of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation's inherent jurisdiction and stewardship over Burrard Inlet. This project stands in support of Tsleil-Waututh Nations' decision to file a judicial review.