Resources
Report a concern about the Forest:
- To report dumped garbage or yard waste: call the City of Burnaby at 604.294.7206
- To report spills, water discoloration or blockages in the creeks: call the City of Burnaby at 604.294.7200
- To report a fire in the forest—open fires are not permitted in Burnaby parks and urban forests:
- Call 911 in case of a bush fire
- Call Burnaby Fire Dispatch at 604.294.7190 in case of a camp fire
To report problem Wildlife:
If you observe dangerous wildlife in an urban area involved in any of the following activities, please report the incident to the provincial Conservation Office Service’s 24 hour, toll free call centre at 1-877-952-7277(RAPP):
- Accessing garbage or other human supplied food sources.
- Instances where wildlife is aggressive
- When a cougar is seen in any urban area.
Naturalist Groups
For 50 years BC Nature has been driven by its motto “To know nature and keep it worth knowing”. BC Nature is a federation of the many naturalist clubs in BC. They work to educate both members and the public. In conservation efforts, the organization has acted as representatives for nature, raising awareness to government bodies and the public. The Cariboo Heights Forest Preservation Society is a member of BC Nature.
Through a province-wide network of family nature clubs, citizen science initiatives and NatureWILD magazine, they connect children ages 5-12 with the outdoors to foster a love of the natural world and the skills to take action for nature.
iNaturalist is a joint initiative of the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society that works on all devices. You can create a free account, then upload your photos of living things you observe, anywhere in the world. The app connects you with community experts who can help you identify what you have seen
Stewardship and streamkeeper groups in the Brunette River Watershed
The Burnaby Lake Park Association (BLPA) is an incorporated non-profit society that works closely with Metro Vancouver and other park partners to preserve, restore and protect the ecological integrity of Burnaby Lake Regional Park and to increase public appreciation for the natural environment.
Eagle Creek Streamkeepers work to preserve and enhance the Eagle Creek watershed (Burnaby Mountain) habitat, through environmental education and volunteer involvement.
New Westminster Environmental Partners
New Westminster Environmental Partners works with residents, businesses, and government agencies within the city, as well as regional (locally connected) environmental groups, to achieve environmental, social and economic sustainability in New Westminster through the identification of issues, education, public advocacy, the promotion of best practices, and the implementation of effective projects.
Sapperton Fish and Game Club
This streamkeeper group has been working since 1969 on cleaning up and advocating for the Brunette River. After decades of hard work, salmon returned in 1984. The Brunette River was the first “dead” urban river in North America to be brought back to life, thanks to their work! In 1997, the club built and operated a fish hatchery (located in the Cariboo Heights Forest) where they raise chum and coho fry to release back into the Brunette River. The club continues to work closely with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Metro Vancouver on river projects and with the cities of Burnaby and New Westminster. Contact: Elmer Rudolph, (604) 521-3346
The Still Creek streamkeepers monitor the health of Still Creek and run activities that help improve water quality and ecosystems, including water quality testing, ravine cleaning, garbage removal, invertebrate sampling and removing invasive species and replanting with native plants.
Stoney Creek Environmental Committee
Stoney Creek Environment Committee (SCEC) is a dedicated group of volunteers committed to protecting, preserving, and enhancing Burnaby Mountain’s urban forest and Stoney Creek through various stream-keeping activities. They host “The Great Salmon Sendoff” each year when the community can help release young salmon back into Stoney Creek.
Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation
Specialize in the treatment, care and release of sick, injured and orphaned native mammal species of BC’s southern and lower mainland. They are the only facility in BC specializing in the care of mammals and one of only four bear rehab facilities in the province
Located in Delta, they are dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of raptors — eagles, falcons, hawks, osprey, owls, and vultures.
They operate a wildlife rehabilitation centre by Burnaby Lake, BC to provide professional care and treatment to injured, orphaned and pollution-impacted birds.
Conservation Agencies
North Shore Black Bear Society
A non-profit organization that works in partnership with local and regional governments and other groups involved with black bears and bear attractant issues. The website has great resources on Bear Awareness and Bear Proofing your property.
South Coast Conservation Program
A multi-partner conservation program that helps facilitate projects and activities to protect and restore species and ecological communities at risk on the South Coast of B.C. Their website has information on species at risk, including Snowshoe hare washingtonii, Red legged Frog
WildSafeBC (formerly Bear Aware)
Provides information on its website to prevent and reduce conflicts between people and wildlife in our communities. Their mission is “Keep Wildlife Wild and Communities Safe”.
History of the Burnaby Lake Interurban Line
City of Burnaby Archives has great photos in their collection of Interurban cars and stations.
History of the Burnaby Lake Interurban Line
A short written history of the Burnaby Lake Interurban Line.
A lovingly restored Interurban car is on display at the Burnaby Village Museum.
A well researched and detailed history of the Burnaby Lake Interurban Line and the BC Electric railway.
Map of the BC Electric Railway
A map of all the BC Electric Railway lines in metro Vancouver.
A 16 minute video of one of the last Burnaby Lake Interurban Cars following the route to Sapperton, narrated by a former Interurban motorman.
A document from 1952 describing the first settlers in Burnaby.
Information about BC Native Plants
A biogeographic atlas and information about the vascular plants, bryophytes, lichens, algae, fungi and slime molds of British Columbia.
Encourage knowledge, appreciation, responsible use & conservation of BC’s native plants and habitats.
Carry a wide range of plants that are native to our region. Their aim is to educate about Coast Salish plants and how they can be used to improve habitat value for local wildlife. All proceeds support habitat restoration and educational programming on Coast Salish culture and ecology.
“How to garden with Native Plants in Vancouver and the Fraser Valley”
Information About Invasive Species
The Invasive Species Council of BC
A collaborative-based organization committed to reducing the spread and impacts of non-native species within BC.
The Invasive Species Council of Metro Vancouver
A non-profit society that is working to improve the way invasive species are managed in the Metro Vancouver region. The purpose of their website is to provide you with information about specific invasive species of concern in our region, control methods, ISCMV’s services and to keep you updated on invasive species activities in the region.
Grow Me Instead – profiles BC’s most unwanted horticultural plants, along with their recommended alternatives
Information about Wildlife
A website from Thompson Rivers University which provides easy to understand information on the reptiles found in BC
Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society
They provide free wildlife education and stewardship programs to people throughout British Columbia to foster a connection with nature and ensure that the natural world will continue to be preserved. Their website has information on many of the species that live in the Cariboo Heights Forest.
South Coast Conservation Program
A group that works to facilitate the protection and restoration of species and ecosystems at risk on BC’s South Coast. They produce a series of species profiles to help users identify plants and animals at risk on the South Coast in British Columbia.
BC’s Coast Region: Species & Ecosystems of Conservation Concern
This website has fact sheets on several species of concern that live in the Cariboo Heights Forest and the Brunette River Conservancy.
E-Fauna BC is a volunteer-driven biogeographic atlas of the wildlife of British Columbia. It provides a centralized source of scientifically accurate information for use in conservation, education and research. Species included are: mammals, birds, amphibians, fish, insects and arachnids.
Information About Birds
Free Merlin bird identification app
This free app from renowned Cornell Lab of Ornithology helps you ID birds by asking you a few simple questions. Then it suggests the list of birds that best match your description. Pick your bird, then delve into more photos, sounds, and ID tips about your bird! If you have a photo, Merlin will offer a list of birds that best match your photo. Merlin is fun and easy to use.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology
The online guide to birds and birdwatching. Use the free online Bird Guide to identify birds, learn about their life history, listen to their songs and calls, and watch bird behavior on video.
An online atlas about 320 species of birds that breed in BC. Information on bird species distribution, abundance, habitat and conservation comes from leading British Columbian bird experts
Research and reports about the Cariboo Heights Forest and the Brunette River Basin
- Waterways Information Sheet on the Brunette River Basin
- 2001 Brunette River Basin Report
- Cariboo Heights Community Plan (adopted by council 1987)
- Map of Burnaby Watersheds
- Map of Burnaby’s Waterways and The Heritage Creek Names
Local Government Representatives
- MLA Katrina Chen (Burnaby – Lougheed)
- MLA Judy Darcy (New Westminster)
- MLA Janet Routledge (Burnaby North)
- MP Peter Jullian (New Westminster -Burnaby)
- MP Terry Beech (Burnaby North – Seymour)
- Mayor Mike Hurley (City of Burnaby)