Abbotsford Mission Nature Club

Ravine Hatchery - Fin Clipping
2023-05-20 00:00 (America/Vancouver)
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Ravine Hatchery fin clipping of Coho fry.
Friday June 2. To volunteer, contact Dale Taylor (daletaylor2@shaw.ca)

October monthly meeting - Nature photos
2023-09-12 00:00
Taking Nature Photos with Rick Skerry

November monthly meeting - Beavers
2023-09-12 00:00
Beaver Facts and Ecology with Ted Lightfoot

September events/walks
2023-09-12 00:00
Watch for announcements about River’s Day events provided by others.

September monthly meeting - Nature Stewardship
2023-09-12 00:00
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.

December Annual Christmas Party
2023-09-12 00:00
The annual Abbotsford Mission Nature Club Christmas party. Please bring an appetizer or dessert item to share.
Special guest speaker Natalie Lang, author of “Remnants: Reveries of a Mountain Dweller”. A book about Sumas Mountain. There will also be the year-end in review slideshow.
Note: Fundraiser – Bake sale, bird box sale and natural candle holder sale, bring cash or cheques please.
MEMBERS ONLY

January meeting
2023-12-01 00:00
Bob Dhaliwal from Ocean Wise will be presenting “Marine Mammal Conservation: Non-invasive Research and Community-based Science”

March meeting
2023-12-01 00:00
Three mini-presentations!
Unfortunately, our March speaker had to cancel for personal reasons.
Quirien will show us how to use the iNaturalist app. in preparation for the City of Abbotsford’s participation in the worldwide City Nature Challenge Bioblitz from April 26 to 29th. Install the iNaturalist app on your phone at home prior to the meeting. It is helpful to have some photos of fungi, animals and plants stored on your phone ahead of time, too. Make sure you have enough data as there is no wifi in the hatchery. We probably will not be able to go outside as, despite the time change, it will still be too dark outside.
In memory of the recent passing of Al Grass, a well known naturalist and activist in B.C., we will share a short presentation to recognize his contributions to our province.
Lastly, we will share a PowerPoint that highlights the arrival of an early spring, the Reiffel Island field trip and the work parties at Willband.

February meeting
2023-12-01 00:00
Derek Matthews (VARC) “For the Love of Birds” (via Zoom)
Email for Zoom meeting credentials.

April meeting
2023-12-01 00:00
“Ravine Park Hatchery Presentation and Tour”
by Dale Taylor and Rob Moynahan
They will give a History of the Abbotsford Ravine Park Salmon Enhancement Society (ARPSES),, Hatchery Operations, Stream Walks, Future Directions, and Hatchery Tour.

MacDonald Park Walk
2023-12-21 00:00
Quirien will lead a walk along the Sumas River Dike. Flat and easy. Bring binoculars

Christmas Bird Count
2023-12-21 00:00
To participate contact Ken Summers (ken.summers@telus.net). Click here for the Bird Count area map

The George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary
2023-12-21 00:00
5191 Robertson Road, Delta, BC

Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve
2023-12-21 00:00
The reserve on the Vedder River consists of 325 acres and is home
to about 90 nests and a wide variety of wildlife and vegetation including the
following species: Western Painted Turtle, Bald Eagle, and Salish Sucker.
Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm – Bring a lunch and dress for the weather
Directions: Take Hwy 1 east to exit 109 Yale Rd to Sumas Prairie Road, south to the end of the road
Leader: Ken Summers – to register email ken.summers@telus.net or call 604-851-2301

Community Clean-up
2024-03-26 00:00
Join us on Saturday, April 13, 2024 @ 9:00 am on Valley Road for our annual cleanup.
Gloves, garbage bags and picker uppers will be provided.
To register email: haroos12@gmail.com or phone 604-853-4283
Community Clean-up Month- April 2024
Abbotsford’s Community Clean-up program spans the whole month of APRIL. This is an EASY way to get involved in our community, contribute to environmental stewardship, help beautify our neighbourhoods. The AMNC members participate in different areas of the city.

Earth Day in Mission
2024-03-26 00:00
‘Green Living’ Earth Day Celebration at the Fraser River Heritage Park.
The event will feature a variety of family fun, including live performances, guest speakers, interactive activities and demos, food trucks, a sustainable marketplace and more.
The Abbotsford Mission Nature Club will have a display. This is a free event!

iNaturalist City Nature Challenge 2024
2024-03-26 00:00
April 27 & 29 – iNaturalist City Nature Challenge 2024 – Abbotsford
A Citizen Science event celebrating our local nature by taking pictures to document nature in Abbotsford along with displays, walks, activities and much more.
Sunday April 28, 2024, at 11am – 3pm
The AMNC will have a display at the viewing platform in Willband Creek Park. Club members will be available to lead 30 minute walks at 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm and 2 pm. Meet at the main parking lot on Bateman Road with the iNaturalist app installed on your phone. We will lead you on a thirty-minute walk toward the kiosk, teaching you how to use the app and to record your observations. After 30 minutes you can continue on your own or return to the parking lot with the naturalist.
Dress for the weather and wear proper footwear.
CNC Join the City Nature Challenge! (PDF)

May Meeting at Ravine Park Hatchery
2024-03-26 00:00
“Impressions of West Papua New Guinea, Indonesia”
By Wim Vesseur an avid birder and naturalist, based on a birding trip. He will share images of birds, flora and fauna seen on a fascinating birding trip, to one of the most interesting and unexplored countries in the world.

Stoney Creek Trail iNaturalist Walk
2024-03-26 00:00
Meet at Bateman Park main parking lot off of Bateman Rd.
Guided by Julia Carr, Biodiversity Specialist

BC Nature Conference
2024-03-26 00:00
May 9 – 12, 2024 BC Nature Conference in Qualicum Beach
Check out the scheduled speakers and fieldtrips listed in the winter magazine of BC Nature. Hosted by the Arrowsmith Naturalists. You won’t be disappointed!
Registration is now open at https://bcnature.org/2024-bc-nature-conference-and-agm-hosted-by-arrowsmith-naturalists/

Mission Forest Field Trip
2024-03-26 00:00
Roy Kittles Trail in the Mission Forest
Leader – Kelly Kitsch – Registered Forest Technologist with the City of Mission Forestry
“The trail is well suited to a guided hike with children and grandchildren and there is a lot to see, including an old growth Douglas-fir, a pacific yew, wildlife trees, hemlock mistletoe disease, and whatever else we mightsee along the way. It is not a long trail, but there is so much information we can
talk about”.
To register haroos12@gmail.com or 604-853-4283 (Directions to follow)

Annual Picnic/Social 2024
2024-03-26 00:00
June 12, 2024 – Annual Picnic/Social @ 6:30 pm

McDonald Park (Dark Sky Park)
Time: 6:30 pm
What to bring: Picnic Lunch (not potluck), plates, cutlery, cups, chairs
Provided: Coffee, tea, and our traditional dessert of strawberries and ice cream
The park is located at No. 3 Road and the Sumas River. Take the 104 exit on Hwy 1, turn north back over the highway to the end.

Forest Bathing Workshop
2024-03-26 00:00
June 22, 2024 – Fieldtrip – Aldergrove Regional Park @ 10:00 am “Forest Bathing Workshop”
Step into nature, take a deep breath of forest air, and let your body relax. Awaken your senses and experience the Japanese practice.
Join Lisa Ferris, Park Interpretation Leader, MetroVancouver Regional Parks, for a 2-hour Forest Bathing workshop from 10 am until 12 pm on June 22 in Aldergrove Regional Park. Cost per AMNC member is $10.00. This program is only available for current members.
Registration form link: Forest Bathing Information and Registration Form-1

Hillkeep Regional Park - July 3 walk
2024-06-12 00:00
July 3rd Walk– Hillkeep Regional Park on Chilliwack Mountain

Little Campbell River Watershed Exploration, Surrey/Langley
2024-06-12 00:00
Wednesday 10 July
Little Campbell River Watershed Exploration, Surrey/Langley
Leader: Wendy DaDalt
10:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. from Fergus Park Trailhead start
Both easy, flat with boardwalks

Site 1: Fergus Watershed Biodiversity Preserve Loop (1 km) Location 1277 168 St., Surrey just off 16th Avenue
Site 2: Campbell Valley Regional Park, Little River Loop (2.5 km). Location 16th Avenue between 208th and 200th Streets

We will visit one of Surrey’s newest parks, Fegus Watershed Biodiversity Preserve, which has special meaning for BC naturalists. Along the 1 km easy walk is a dedicated rest area named in honour of beloved naturalists Al and Jude Grass. The trail loop wanders through meadow, wetland and forest and Fergus Creek, an important tributary feeding the Little Campbell River.

Then we will walk along the Little Campbell River in Campbell Valley Regional Park through Douglas Fir and mixed forests to a viewing/resting area over the River. We will be walking along wetlands where waterfowl and birds are often seen.

Bring your binoculars and lunch for a picnic.

To register and/or for questions contact Wendy DaDalt at wendy@dadalt.net.

Manning Park Meadows - July walk
2024-06-12 00:00
July 17th – Manning Park Meadows – Weather Permitting – morning & afternoon – Viewpoint Loop and Paintbrush Trail

Matsqui Trail Regional Park - July walk
2024-06-12 00:00
July 24th – Matsqui Trail Regional Park @ 6:30 pm

Sumas Mountain - July walk
2024-06-12 00:00
July 31st – Sumas Mountain – morning

September meeting - Mosses & Lichens
2024-07-29 00:00
Regular meeting.
Phil Henderson will be speaking.
Mosses and Lichens: Beauty and Beyond
“…mosses, like love, make even the ugliest objects beautiful, for they hid all defects within their own loveliness.” – Day, Helen Evelyn. (fide: Russell (1908) (in Edwards, S.R. 1995. Mosses in English Literature. Supplement Three. Bull. Brit. Bryol. Soc. 65:45-47.)
Imagine a Monet with color; a forest without trees. Imagine a world without mosses. To do this you must appreciate the world without mosses. This talk will attempt to sharpen your focus on these ubiquitous, beautiful and fascinating plants.

November Meeting - Bats
2024-09-11 00:00
“Bats, Sounds and Sonograms” by Keith Chrystall
Recordings acquired with the Langley Field Naturalist’s Bat Echometer will be presented, along with some details regarding bats and bat species found in the lower mainland. Audio samples of the calls made by several types of bats will be played to illustrate the differences between species and also the use of echolocation for hunting.
