Abbotsford Mission Nature Club

September monthly meeting - Nature Stewardship
2023-09-12 00:00 (America/Vancouver)
How to be a Nature Steward by gardening with native plants
Tamsin Baker from the Fraser Valley Conservancy
Want to have a thriving garden that helps local wildlife? This presentation will discuss reasons for gardening with native plants, native plant recommendations, where to find them, more tips on how to be a nature steward, and an overview of the Fraser Valley Conservancy’s Nature Stewards Program.

Annual Club Summer Picnic
2024-12-28 00:00
Our annual summer picnic. Details to follow.

October meeting: Fraser River Sturgeon Conservation Society
2025-08-12 00:00
KEEPING THE LEGEND ALIVE!
Ms. Sarah Schreier
Ms. Sarah Schreier is Executive Director of the FRSCS. For over 25 years, Ms. Schreier has provided analysis and advice to a number of organizations and sectors related to healthcare, basic research, fisheries management issues and most recently, White Sturgeon research. Ms. Schreier studied business and communications at the University of Ottawa, and Royal Rhodes University, in British Columbia, Canada.
In her role as Executive Director, Sarah oversees the FRSCS Strategy Deliverables, and provides direction to help facilitate White Sturgeon research initiatives and management plans. Sarah provides leadership to ensure we continue to build and strengthen partnerships among key stakeholder groups and government leaders. Sarah is a frontlines resource for media on sturgeon related issues and is often invited to present the ‘sturgeon story’ and our science to local groups, schools, community groups, professional associations and National and International conferences.
Ms. Schreier brings extensive experience managing dynamic, long-term relationships among individuals, sectors and diverse communities to make a difference for our environment.
To view FRSCS Impact Video, click here.

September meeting: Macro Photography
2025-08-12 00:00
Justin Chan – Macro Photography: Exploring Small Worlds
Justin is a naturalist with a passion for macro photography, with a primary focus on spiders and insects. One of his photos of a spider received the runner up prize in the 2024 Canadian Wildlife Photography of the Year, in the Terrestrial Life category, which has been published in Canadian Geographic and other publications. When not working as an illustrator, he can be found out with his camera looking for bugs!
Presentation Description:
Macro Photography opens up a diverse hidden world of arthropods! With high magnification, these small and often-underappreciated insects and spiders become larger than life, filling the frame with colourful and intricate detail. Justin Chan is a macro photographer and naturalist based in Vancouver. He will share photos of macro subjects, such as jumping spiders, bees, butterflies, beetles, and more. He will then dive further into the miniscule with ultra-macro subjects, such as springtails, mites, pseudoscorpions, and other mesofauna. Macro photography equipment and techniques will be covered after each section. He will also discuss how paying closer attention to the little things, and sharing your photographs on platforms like iNaturalist, can contribute to citizen science, and even reveal new discoveries.
Here are some samples of his photography. (All rights reserved)

November meeting: Fraser Valley Watershed Coalition Projects
2025-08-12 00:00
Habitat Restoration of Watersheds in the Fraser Valley
Rachel Drennan BSc., P. Ag.
Director of Operations, FVWC
Short description of presentation: Join us as we take a deep dive into the habitat enhancement and restoration efforts FVWC has undertaken over the past year! Through compelling photos and stories, we will showcase the transformation of our project sites, highlighting the challenges faced, the restoration techniques put to the test, and the lessons learned along the way. Discover how adaptive management keeps our ecosystems thriving and ensures each site has the best chance of long-term success. Most importantly, we hope to explore how we can work together to amplify our work. Collaboration is key to building a healthier, more resilient environment for all. We look forward to connecting with you and exploring new opportunities to join forces on future projects!
Personal Biography:
Rachel Drennan is a Professional Agrologist with expertise in ecological restoration and environmental stewardship. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of the Fraser Valley and a professional certification in Ecological Restoration from the University of Victoria.
Since joining FVWC in 2009, Rachel has played a pivotal role in fostering partnerships and engaging with all levels of government including First Nations, federal, provincial, and municipal authorities, as well as community groups and local leaders. Her work encompasses the development of habitat restoration plans, funding applications, volunteer coordination, and the oversight of FVWC’s diverse restoration initiatives.
Dedicated to the restoration and long-term monitoring of riparian ecosystems, Rachel brings extensive experience in salmon habitat restoration and streamside bioengineering, ensuring the sustainability and resilience of local ecosystems.
AND
During this meeting we will be having a fund raiser for the Club. We have about 25 gently used and new puzzles for sale starting at $5-$20. You may donate your puzzles for this sale (no pieces missing). Bring them to the meeting or contact Alice Roos, 604-853-4283 or haroos12@gmail.com.
Also, for sale are about a dozen swallow/chickadee bird boxes for $30 that were made by Club members.
Note – The funds raised will be used to update the camera in the owl box and also purchase a camera on an extension pole to look inside birdboxes without disturbing the birds.

Nature Club Christmas Social
2025-11-12 00:00
Nature Club Christmas Social
Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 6:30 pm (note time)
Join members of the Nature Club for a festive evening of fellowship, light snacks, music, singing, year-in-review slideshow, bake sale.
Please bring to share a dessert or an appetizer in individual portion sizes (to be served with tongs or in paper muffin cups).
Hot apple cider will be provided. Please bring your own mug
The bake sale is a fundraiser for Nature Club activities. Bring a wrapped treat e.g., loaf cake, cookies, cupcakes, brownies, etc. All items will be sold for $15.00.
And don’t forget to bring cash/cheque to buy some baking, too!

Annual Picnic/Social - Fishtrap Creek Park
2026-05-11 00:00
June 10, 2026 – Annual Picnic/Social – Fishtrap Creek Park
Time: 6:30 pm
Provided: Strawberries and ice cream for dessert
What to bring: Personal picnic food and drinks
Location: picnic shelter behind the Ellwood baseball field on 31580 MacLure Rd.
Parking: on either side of the ball diamonds
In order to know how many tables to reserve, please register with Hank and Alice Roos by June 9 at haroos12@gmail.com or call 604-853-4283
