A unique urban ecosystem located along the Pacific Flyway, Stanley Park serves as an important stopover for migratory birds (over 230 species have been spotted in the Park) and provides habitat for over 40 identified Species at Risk. As the only community-based not-for-profit organization with an operating agreement with the Vancouver Park Board (VPB), the Stanley Park Ecology Society (SPES) is dedicated to promoting awareness of and respect for the natural world by providing a leadership role in the stewardship of Stanley Park through collaborative initiatives in education, research, and collaboration.

Since a series of hurricane-force windstorms hit the Park in December 2006 and January 2007, toppling approximately 10,000 trees, SPES has been working diligently to turn a devastating situation into a positive opportunity. In collaboration with the VPB, advisors, academic institutions and hundreds of community volunteers, SPES has spearheaded and expanded upon a number of key conservation and restoration initiatives.

With the help of trained teams of volunteers, SPES has conducted assessments of Ecologically Sensitive Areas and Species at Risk, and mapped and monitored a range of wildlife species, habitats, and invasive plants. Our stewardship initiatives expanded, with volunteers from throughout the community contributing over 5000 hours and removing over one hectare of invasive plants and planting hundreds of trees in Stanley Park. We have also developed and implemented a number of new programs focusing on stewardship, climate change, and fostering youth to become environmental leaders in the Metro Vancouver region.

Although much of the VPB’s initial restoration work is coming to a close, now more than ever, there is a need to support SPES’s monitoring, mapping and stewardship initiatives to ensure that the community is actively engaged in the ongoing ecological restoration of Stanley Park.

For further information on our programming and ways in which you can get involved, please visit our website www.stanleyparkecology.ca or contact us directly. We appreciate your support!