While native plants support insects and provide food and shelter for millions of birds, invasive species put pressure on local ecosystems and reduce biodiversity. Many invasive plants were introduced (either intentionally or unintentionally) by people. This page brings together resources from organizations and community groups working to better understand invasive species and reduce their spread.

From Metro Vancouver Regional Parks’ brochure, Help Stop the Spread of Invasive Species:

What is an invasive plant?

It’s a plant species that isn’t native to our region and also tends to be super efficient at growing and spreading. Because it didn’t evolve here, it has no natural controls (predators, diseases, etc.) to keep it in check.

Why are invasive plants a problem?

There are lots of reasons, but here are a few:
• They affect wildlife by degrading habitat
• They can alter water flow and lead to erosion
• Some contain substances that are toxic to people and animals
• Some can increase the risk of wildfires”

A threat to traditional practices

Invasive species can also threaten Indigenous food systems, medicines, and cultural practices by displacing the native plants that people have cared for and relied on for generations.

The Invasive Species Council of BC helps groups work together to stop invasive species from spreading across the province. Their Indigenous Connections page shares how invasive species affect traditional practices and how Indigenous communities continue to guide land care across the province.

From removal to relationship

Much of the plant biodiversity around the Iona Island Bird Observatory is supported by Metro Vancouver Regional Parks staff through invasive pulls, native species planting, and ongoing maintenance. You can take a walk in the park during the spring or fall migration seasons to learn about the nearby native plants. Loop trail posters created as part of Stories in Flight share their connections to birds and people.

Across Metro Vancouver, there are also many hands-on opportunities to get involved in caring for local parks and natural areas, including through:

• The Metro Vancouver Ecological Restoration Team
• Everett Crowley Park Committee’s Stewardship sessions
• Stanley Park Ecology Society’s Dedicated Invasive Removal Team (DIRT) and EcoStewards programs
• Burns Bog Conservation Society’s invasive species removals
• Jericho Stewardship Group’s Stewardship Events 
• Burnaby Lake Park Association’s Weedbusters

Some organizations are finding ways to transform invasive plant removal into opportunities for art and community. For example, Free the Fern and the Everett Crowley Park Committee have partnered in the past to host Weeding and Weaving workshops using invasive English ivy.

Resources compiled by Paula Gomez Villalba | Jan 2026

Do you want to learn more about wetlands and the creatures within? We will be taking a tour around a newly constructed wetland in Aldergrove April 24, 10:30am.  We have an opportunity to check some minnow traps to see wetland creatures, such as Western Toads and North-western Salamanders, up close. There are also lots of birds to be found in this little wetland oasis.

This trip will be led by Aleesha Switzer from the Fraser Valley Conservancy.  Aleesha has worked in this wetland since its construction and is very excited to showcase its success. A fun day of trapping, wading, and frogging awaits!

This event is open to WildResearch members; register on Better Impact! Not a member yet? Read about the many benefits of WildResearch memberships, and how to become a member here.

WildResearch’s Bird ID Trips Field Trips 2015-2016 Are BACK!

Join WildResearch for our annual winter Bird Identification Field Trips at a variety of parks across the Metro Vancouver area! Learn to identify a wide variety of wintering passerines, waterfowl, raptors, and shore birds. Meet and socialize with nature loving individuals and network with professional biologists.

Dates and Locations:
1) December 20, 2015 – Iona Beach Regional Park, Richmond
2) January 17, 2016 – Maplewood Flats, North Vancouver
3) February 14, 2016 – John Henry Park (Trout Lake), Vancouver
4) March 13, 2016 – Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta
* Trips begin at 10am and will be about 2-3 hours in duration.

Field trips are open to all current WildResearch members
– Members: confirm your participation, please sign up using Better Impact. Those registered for the events will be sent further details on meet-up locations.
– Non-members: join us here

 

WildResearch will be hosting an introduction to R and data analysis workshop designed for those who have never or are starting to learn R.  We will start with basic R functions such as how to set your working directory, input data, and manipulate data.  The workshop will also cover basic statistical methods such as null hypothesis testing, significance, data distributions, t-tests, ANOVAs, linear modelling – all in R! This is great way to be introduced to or be reacquainted with R and statistics.

Date: Jan. 30th, 2016, 11am to 4pm.
Location: Vancouver Library’s Kensington Branch
Cost: The cost is $35 and is for members only*
Registration: Sign-up using Better Impact (Members), registration is limited to 20 participants

*All proceeds go to WildResearch

Not a member, but interested in participating? Join us here

If you have any question, please contact Jay Brogan (jbrogan@wildresearch).

WildResearch is seeking the services of an experienced writer and statistician to produce a cumulative report. The report will summarize bird-monitoring data collected during the first five years (2010-2015) of WildResearch’s flagship program, Iona Island Bird Observatory (IIBO). The report will include statistical analyses of bird-monitoring data, including mark-recapture survival analysis and multivariate analyses. The written report will detail analyses, summarize results and describe program successes from 2010-2015.

Applicants are asked to submit bids for a contract to produce the cumulative report no later than 5:00 PM, Monday, December 28 2015. Applications submitted by single applicants are preferred, however we will consider applications submitted by more than one person, if the roles of each person in the preparation of the report are clearly defined, and timeline expectations are detailed per person, and the names and roles of all persons, who will be involved are included with testimony of their expertise.

Full Proposal details available here.