Backstage Pass - Habitat Enhancement in Action
2023-02-11 10:30 - 13:30 UTC
FVC Members, this event is for you!

Join Jon, Aleesha, and Sofi at a private property in Abbotsford to see habitat enhancement in action. Space is limited so register now.

Event Highlights
At this exclusive event, you will have to opportunity to join FVC staff undertaking habitat enhancement actions:

Lend a hand with Christmas trees for frogs! These trees placed in a pond will create areas where frogs and salamanders can lay eggs and develop into tadpoles.
Support the installation of a Barn Owl nesting box! This box will provide a safe space for these beautiful birds to raise their young.
Learn about local conservation issues and the importance of habitat enhancement work on private property! FVC staff will share how the work is taking place and answer all your questions.

How you participate is up to you! Get your hands dirty or stand back and take it all in.

Setting

Outdoors at a private rural property in Abbotsford.
Come dressed for the weather! No shelter is available on site.
Bring appropriate footwear. The property owners have asked that footwear also be clean (to prevent the spread of disease to livestock)
All tools will be provided. If you’re able to, bring your own gloves, otherwise, gloves will be provided.
There are no bathroom facilities on site. Water and snacks will be provided, so please bring your own refillable water bottle.

Location

Abbotsford, near Aldergrove Regional Park.
The exact location will be provided once you are registered.

Day/time

Saturday, February 11
10:30 AM – 1:30 PM
RAIN OR SHINE

Space is limited so register today!

If you click the “Sign-Up” button below and receive a “form has been deactivated” notification, we have reached the maximum number of participants for this event.

Ryder Lake Residents - Nature Protection Event
2023-02-11 11:00 - 14:00 | Ryder Lake – Mailboxes at Elk View Rd. and Ryder Lake Rd., Canada
** This event is for Ryder Lake residents only**
Do you live in Ryder Lake? Are you interested in helping nature and wildlife in your neighbourhood? We have an event coming up that might interest you!

From 11:00 AM to 11:15 AM this event will be a Ryder Lake Nature Team meeting. After the meeting, we will be building a temporary fence along Elk View Road to help amphibians travel back to the wetlands.
Come join us for the meeting at 11:00 AM to learn more about this nature-based group in Ryder Lake, or join us at 11:15 AM to help with our outdoor event.

Wildlife Protection Event – Temporary Fencing Installation
The Work

We’re looking for energetic volunteers to help us install 150m of silt fencing to direct amphibians traveling back to the wetlands!
This will involve installing fencing along the ditch on Elk View Road.

Why It’s Helpful

In late February/early March the amphibians are traveling back to their important breeding wetland in Ryder Lake. There is a crossing structure called the “Toad Tunnel”, that runs under Elk View Road.
The fencing you will install helps guide these amphibians to the crossing structure so they can safely pass under the road.

Responsibilities

Help install the silt fencing.
Use tools to dig trenches, hammer in wooden stakes, and attach fencing material to the wooden stakes

Requirements

Be prepared to spend a few hours outdoors alongside a road.
Can use tools such as shovels to dig into the wet ground.
Hammering wooden stakes into the ground, and using a staple gun to secure the fence.
Wear weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear (Rubber boots or hiking boots that can get a little muddy) and work gloves.
Access to a vehicle to travel within the Ryder Lake area.

Training/Equipment

All training required will be provided on the day of.
All tools will be provided including shovels, pickaxes, sledgehammers, staple guns, and staples.
If you’re able to, bring your own gloves (we will provide gloves if you don’t have your own)

Safety

Dress appropriately for wet, cold, weather.
Safety vests will be provided (let us know if you want to bring your own!).

Setting

Outdoors in the right-of-way adjacent to Elk View Road.
There is no shelter or bathroom facilities on site.

Location

Ryder Lake Neighbourhood
Parking: The mailboxes on Elk View Road.
Saturday, February 11th, 2023
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Nature Team meeting from 11:00 AM to 11:15 AM; Fencing event from 11:15 AM to 2:00 PM)
RAIN OR SHINE
This event may be rescheduled if the ground is too hard to dig a trench. The Program Coordinator will update everyone about schedule changes asap.

Click the “Register Here” link below to sign-up for the event!

Do you live outside of Ryder Lake but are interested in events like this? Click here to sign up for our volunteer program!

Eco-anxiety Discussion Group
2023-02-21 14:00 - 15:00 | Mill Lake Park, 32960 Mill Lake Rd, Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
Are you experiencing feelings of hopelessness, anxiety, or fear about the state of our natural world?
Consider coming to one of our eco-anxiety discussion groups to voice your concerns, receive support, and become emboldened to take positive steps towards change!

We’re hosting our first discussion group in Mill Lake Park on Feb.21 at 2:00 p.m. You’ll receive more event details after you register!
Meet a community of like-minded people and learn ways about how to cope with your eco-anxiety in one of Abbotsford’s most beautiful urban parks!
If you’re interested in coming to a meeting, but a Tuesday afternoon is not the best time for you, contact Step to It Program Coordinator Andrea Sadowski, and let her know a time that would work better for you!
