The International Ornithological Congress (IOC) is coming to Vancouver for 2018, running concurrent with the Vancouver International Bird Festival. From stilt walkers in bird costumes to bird murals, talks, lectures and guided tours, the IOC and the International Bird Festival will offer a massive variety of bird events and information. Stanley Park Ecology Society (SPES) is a proud partner of both events and we will be hosting a variety of tours and workshops that will tap into the ecology of Vancouver and British Columbia through our feathered friends.

The IOC will see the debut of our new Mobile Nature House at the Vancouver Convention Centre, which will bring a little bit of Stanley Park wherever it goes. The Mobile Nature House will allow visitors to explore some of Stanley Park’s favourite creatures up close, bring visitors up to date on current happenings, and reveal the best birding sites in Stanley Park.

We are looking for engaging and passionate volunteers to support our booths and Mobile Nature House at the International Ornithological Congress, with a variety of shifts available from August 20^th to August 25^th. This is great opportunity to be involved with the oldest and most prestigious ornithological congress in the world and share your passion for birds and ecology! You will be volunteering alongside a bird expert who will be on hand to answer more specific and technical questions. We will also provide training prior to the event, giving you a perfect chance to learn more about the wonderful world of birds!

We will also be running an overnight camp, ‘Night Owls and Dawn Chorus’, on Thursday, August 23^rd that will give participants an opportunity to hear and see a range of local birds, including barred owls, great horned owls, pine siskins, Pacific wrens and Swainson’s thrushes. We are looking for volunteers to assist us with the camp, in exchange for taking part in this exciting overnight experience themselves. The deep woods of Stanley Park are normally off limits to overnight visitors, so this is an exceptional opportunity.

Join this dedicated group of volunteers and help manage invasive plant species in Stanley Park. You will learn about local ecology and conservation issues and develop organizational and leadership skills, all while working in a beautiful outdoor setting. 

Bird counts are undertaken by SPES staff and volunteers on Lost Lagoon and Beaver Lake each month. A great volunteer position for all skill levels of birders. More experienced volunteers help beginners in a welcoming, team-training environment. Other bird monitoring programs, such as beached bird monitoring and point count surveys, become available seasonally and as positions open up.

The Stanley Park EcoStewards Program (previously called Ivy Busters) works hard to restore degraded habitats by removing invasive species, planting native species, decommissioning unsanctioned trails, and adding course woody debris and other enhancements in Stanley Park.

Enthusiastic volunteers gather for a fun-filled morning or afternoon to take part in various restoration projects in the Park where it is most needed. Together volunteers will work towards conserving biodiversity and restoring important habitat in Stanley Park. Stanley Park EcoStewards events are open to the public and are held twice per month on Saturday or Sunday. Please check our events calendar for upcoming dates.