Conservation Projects

Wildlife and Habitat Monitoring

The Stanley Park Ecology Society monitors wildlife and habitat in Stanley Park and beyond. Long-term monitoring programs include our bird watching, bald eagle and great blue heron nest monitoring programs, and invasive plant mapping, with new projects starting every year. 

Current long-term projects aim to gather baseline data on important environmental indicators and track changes in the Park’s ecological health.

Projects are currently focused on the following areas:

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Following the 2006 windstorm, initial surveys for owls, breeding birds, amphibians, bats and Species at Risk were carried out as a part of the Stanley Park Restoration Plan. We have continued these seasonal surveys since, following Resources Information Standards Committee protocols.

Our wildlife and habitat monitoring programs provide information to support park management, and we share our results with all levels of government, community groups, and local academic institutions. These programs rely on the time donated by dedicated volunteers and advice from professional biologists.

Research Projects

Research projects are undertaken in collaboration with local academic institutions and provide more rigorous study of subject areas. We are striving to learn more about the wildlife and habitats that make up Stanley Park to inform Park management as well as provide current information for our education programs. Student projects vary each year and SPES’s scientific advisors provide ongoing support for a diverse range of topics.

Habitat Enhancement and Restoration

Invasive Species Management and Habitat Restoration
The main objectives of SPES’ invasive species management and habitat restoration programs are to:

1. Eradicate and/or reduce the spread of invasive species and restore degraded habitats by planting native species, decommissioning unsanctioned trails, and adding course woody debris and other enhancements.
2. Utilize GIS mapping to assess the impacts of invasive species, plan and coordinate our management actions, and monitor the results of our invasive species management programs.
3. Educate the public about the impacts invasive species are having on our environment and how to mitigate these impacts.
4. Provide volunteers with a fun, empowering and rewarding opportunity to contribute to the conservation of biodiversity.

Get Involved!

Anyone who wants to get their hands dirty helping to enhance Stanley Park habitat is encouraged to check out the following programs, no experience necessary:

EcoStewards & DIRT (formerly SIRT)

Community stewardship events hosted year-round twice per-month on Saturdays (EcoStewards) and weekdays (DIRT). All are welcome to join habitat restoration projects around Stanley Park. Groups looking to book a private stewardship event can contact vols@stanleyparkecolgoy.ca for more information.

Invasive Plant Mapping

Volunteers survey the trails and forested areas of Stanley Park, to monitor invasive plant impact and spread, and to monitor invasive management sites for regrowth.

To learn more about getting involved with hands-on individual or group stewardship activities, email vols@stanleyparkecology.ca or visit our events calendar for upcoming EcoStewards dates.

Donate!

Your donations will support Stanley Park’s varied habitats and their biodiversity. Visit our donation page and choose “Habitat Restoration & Wildlife Monitoring” to make a positive difference for wildlife in Stanley Park.