Abbotsford Mission Nature Club

Houston Trail, Derby Reach Regional Park
2025-06-27 00:00 (America/Vancouver)
Wednesday, July 16 – Houston Trail
Join Quirien Mulder ten Kate for a three-hour nature walk on the Houston Trail, part of the Derby Reach Regional Park Trail system. Meet at 9:45 am on July 16th at the Heritage Area Parking Lot on Allard Crescent. Dress for the weather and bring a snack and water. An outhouse is available at the start and mid-way the walk. The trail is slightly hilly in places so you may wish to bring hiking poles. Bring binoculars for some birding, too.

Time: 9:45 am
Level: slightly hilly (undulating)
Please register by 7 pm on July 14th by emailing Quirien qmuldertenkate@gmail.com your name and cell phone number.

Mt. Thom Lookout Trail
2025-06-27 00:00
Wednesday, July 23 – Mt Thom Lookout Trail
Mt. Thom View Trail is a 25-minute leisurely walk to a lookout offering views of surrounding mountains, Cultus Lake and the Fraser Valley. Continuing the circle returns us to the parking lot. Meet at the parking lot at 10:30 and bring a lunch. There are pit toilets at the trail head.
Time: 10:30 am
Level: Easy to moderate, walking poles suggested
Directions: Access to the trailhead is from the Churchill Parkway in Ryder Lake, 38 minutes from downtown Abbotsford.
Take the exit123 (Prest Rd) from Hwy 1, head south. Go 3.4 km, then turn left on Bailey Rd. Keep right at the fork onto Elk View Rd. Turn right on Ryder Lake Rd. Continue straight where Ryder Lake Rd. turns to the left, on to Extrom Rd. Turn right on Forester Rd, and right again on to Churchill Parkway, where you will see the parking lot for the trailhead. The easiest is to enter Churchill Pkwy on to Google maps and follow the directions.

Register with Rita Bot at rbot12@gmail.com

July 2 Summer Walk - Open to suggestions
2025-06-27 00:00

July 30 Summer Walk - Open to Suggestions
2025-06-27 00:00

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.

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.

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)

Tynehead Regional Park - Return of the Salmon
2025-11-12 00:00
Fall is a beautiful season to visit Tynehead Regional Park and watch the return of the salmon. Coho are already coming through, and chum will be next. We should see some of these fish while walking the Hatchery and Serpentine Loop Trails. These sylvan trails feature large conifers, nurse logs and stumps, ferns and shrubs. The Serpentine River is always present. Mostly the trails are easy but there are some gentle slopes and uneven surfaces. Dress for the weather which could be wet and cool.
Meet at Tynehead Regional Park Hatchery Parking Lot, 16585 96th Ave, north side of 96th Avenue, 100 m west of 168 Street in Surrey. Please do not leave valuables in your vehicle.
Register with Wendy DaDalt at wendy@dadalt.net or call 604 856 2575.
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00-12:30 p.m.
Level: Easy to Moderate. Approx 4 km.

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!

CANCELLED - iNaturalist and Merlin Participation Event
2025-11-12 00:00
CANCELLED due to weather – iNaturalist and Merlin Participation Event
Join Abbotsford Mission Nature Club members at the Willband Creek Park Viewing Platform to observe, identify and record birds using the phone applications iNaturalist as well as Merlin. Please install and create accounts for these applications ahead of time to reduce data use in the park. Bring binoculars or a spotting scope if you have one.
This event is rain or shine so dress for the weather. We will provide hot chocolate!
We look forward to hosting you in the park.

Christmas Bird Count
2025-11-12 00:00
This year the Christmas Bird Count will take place on December 30th. No experience necessary as every area within the count circle has an expert birder. If you want to join the fun and haven’t already received our email, contact ken.summers@telus.net. There will be a post-count gathering afterwards at the Mandarin Gardens in Abbotsford for those interested, even if you don’t take part in the count.

February Meeting - Stories of Arctic Birds, Bernie Walter
2025-12-03 00:00
Bernie was stationed for 10 years in Alert, Nunavut, the most northern military station on planet Earth. While in Alert, Bernie observed and photographed a variety of wildlife, including Arctic birds. Join Bernie as he tells stories of Arctic birds in their unforgettable landscape.

January Meeting - Antarctica, Falklands, South Georgia
2025-12-03 00:00
Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica
Spectacular scenery, flourishing wildlife and the experience of a lifetime. Join naturalist/photographer John Gordon as he shares his recent trip to the Southern Ocean.
Click here for more information.

Northern Flickers - Dr. Karen Wiebe
2025-12-12 00:00
BEHAVIOR & ECOLOGY OF NORTHERN FLICKERS, A KEYSTONE SPECIES IN FOREST ECOSYSTEMS
Dr. Karen Wiebe, Professor Emeritus, University of Saskatchewan
Northern Flickers are common woodpeckers that many people recognize from their backyards and bird feeders. Dr. Karen Wiebe studied a population of Northern Flickers in central British Columbia from 1997-2014. She will discuss some of the fascinating behaviors of these woodpeckers, including patterns of parental care, as well as the important role they play in maintaining biodiversity on the landscape.
Biography:
Karen grew up in Langley and has enjoyed watching birds from early childhood. She did her BSc. at Simon Fraser University, and then Ph.D. on American Kestrels at the University of Saskatchewan where she was hired as biology faculty in 1996. She has published over 140 peer reviewed journal articles on birds, many on the Northern Flicker. After retiring in 2022, she moved back to Langley to be closer to family and to once again enjoy birding on the west coast.

Willband Creek Bioblitz
2026-02-03 00:00
Join Abbotsford Mission Nature Club members to observe, identify and record fungi, plants, and animals in Willband Creek Park off Bateman Road in Abbotsford from 7:30 am until 9:30 am (for the early birders!) OR 10 am until 12:00 pm on February 28.
Install the free iNaturalist application on your mobile phone, create an account and join the project, called “Biodiversity in Willband Creek Park Bioblitz, Abbotsford, BC”
Bring any of the following items if you have them: binoculars, spotting scope and camera.
Dress for the weather. Bring a snack and water.
Help us take an inventory of species during this one-day event.
Leader – Quirien (qmuldertenkate@gmail.com)

Hogan Family Park Bioblitz
2026-02-03 00:00
Join Abbotsford Mission Nature Club members to observe, identify and record fungi, plants, and animals in Hogan Family Nature Park at 28631 Debruyne Road in Abbotsford (west side of Bradner Road and a few blocks north of the Fraser Highway) from 9 am until approximately noon on April 25.
Install the free INaturalist application on your mobile phone, create an account and join the project, called “Biodiversity in Hogan Family Nature Park Bioblitz 2026, Abbotsford, BC”
Bring any of the following items if you have them: binoculars, spotting scope and camera.
Dress for the weather. Bring a snack and water.
Help us take an inventory of species during this one-day event.
Leader – Quirien (qmuldertenkate@gmail.com)

May meeting - Joe Foy, Spotted Owls
2026-03-04 00:00
Joe Foy will be speaking about Spotted Owls and the importance of old growth rainforests.

March meeting - Michael Seear - Bald Eagles
2026-03-04 00:00
Michael Seear will be talking about Bald Eagles and tagging research.

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

Roy Kittles Trail in Mission
2026-05-11 00:00
The trail is a 1km long family friendly loop trail. Guided by recently retired municipal forest technologist, Kelly Kitsch. We will see a magnificent old growth Douglas-fir, second growth and third growth forests with a chance to see some rare species, some experimental trials, and do some plant identification. Sturdy footwear recommended as the trail is sometimes uneven.
Parking is limited, parallel only on the narrow road, and a small place for about 3 cars to back into (try to carpool if possible)
Time: 6:30 pm at trailhead
Directions: Take Hwy 11 north to Mission, continue on Cedar Valley Connector, Cedar Street, turn sharp right onto Dewdney Trunk Road, Past Steelhead, to McCoombs Road on your right. If you have passed the landfill you are too far. Allow 30 minutes from Abbotsford.
Parking: Parking is limited, parallel only on the narrow road, and a small place for about 3 cars to back into (try to carpool if possible)
Level: easy to moderate
Duration: 1-1.5 hours
To register haroos12@gmail.com or 604-853-4283

Manning Park Meadows, all day
2026-07-07 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday July 7 – Manning Park Meadows (all day) – Weather Permitting
Cascade Lookout – to take in stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the valley below.
Viewpoint Loop 600 m loop, 20 mins return, 100 m elevation change.
Paintbrush Trail 1.5 km loop, 30 mins return, little elevation change. Starts from either the upper or lower parking lot at the end of the Blackwall Road. Excellent wildflower viewing from early July to mid-August.
Level – Easy
We will leave Abbotsford at 8:00 am and arrive at Manning Park Lodge at 10:00 am.
Bring lunch, water, and sunscreen, etc. and dress for the weather, sturdy footwear is a must.
Carpooling is recommended and can be arranged.
Register with Hank/Alice at haroos12@gmail.com or 604-853-4283/604-614-1049 no later than Sunday July 5

Winter Songbirds - Dilan Praat
2026-09-09 19:30 - 21:30 | Ravine Park Hatchery, 2395 Crescent Way, Abbotsford, BC
Investigating Winter Songbird Movement and Survival along an Urbanization Gradient – Dilan Praat, M.Sc Candidate, SFU.
Description:
Urbanization involves the modification of natural habitats but also creates novel urban habitats which are full of both opportunities and perils for birds. As global urban landcover is expected to double over the next 30 years, it is critical to learn how birds interact with and survive in these novel habitats. While past research projects have investigated how breeding songbirds navigate city life during the summer, there is very little research into how wintering songbirds are using cities. My ongoing thesis investigates how the survival and movement of Golden-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia atricapilla) vary across an urbanization gradient in the Vancouver area. During this talk, I will discuss techniques used to study urban songbirds including radio-tagging and colour-banding, findings from my research so far, and share some steps both people and communities can take to make cities safer for our feathered friends.
Biography:
Dilan Praat completed his BSc, with honours at the University of the Fraser Valley. He has also worked as an environmental technician at the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve and as a laboratory technician at the University of the Fraser Valley’s Biology Department. He is currently completing his M.Sc. in Biological Sciences at Simon Fraser University where he is supervised by Dr. David Green and Dr. Elizabeth Gow.

Oct meeting - Remarkable Trees Around the World, Susan Murray
2026-10-14 19:30 - 21:30 | Ravine Park Hatchery, 2395 Crescent Way, Abbotsford, BC
Remarkable Trees Around the World – Susan Murray
Please join nature photographer and arborist Susan M. Murray as she takes you on a colourful journey around the world to view some of the most amazing trees on earth! Some of these wonderful trees are giants, a few are dwarves but all are important to the world’s biological diversity. Some are so old or growing in conditions so severe that their resilience is truly remarkable. Several outstanding local trees will be highlighted in this talk.
Ms. Murray taught horticulture and arboriculture at the post-secondary level from 1979 to 2013 at both BCIT and KPU and is now enjoying her retirement activities. Passionate about plants and photography, Susan has collected thousands of images of plants from around the world, both in their native habitats and in garden settings. Recently, she visited and photographed gardens in Japan and the United Kingdom.
Locally, the Rhododendron and Magnolia collections in Darts Hill Garden Park (DHGP) are favorite photography subjects. Since first touring the garden with Francisca Darts in 1991, Susan has had a keen interest in the plants in the garden and is currently the chair of the DHGP Collection Committee. Susan is also the author of Our Sylvan Heritage, a Guide to the Magnificent Trees of the South Fraser, a full- colour book describing 350 tree species growing along the streets, in the parks and other public spaces of the South Fraser region.
Her most recent publication (2025), available for purchase from the author, is Rhododendron Hybrids and the Trees that Shade Them: A Guide to Darts Hill Garden Park. This easy to use and beautifully illustrated guide features over 200 rhododendron hybrids found in Darts Hill Garden Park and includes over 250 full-colour photographs.

Invasive Species, A Threat to Biodiversity
2026-11-11 19:30 - 21:30 | Ravine Park Hatchery, 2395 Crescent Way, Abbotsford, BC
Erica Mulder will be speaking on invasive species and their threat to biodiversity.
Invasive species are considered to be one of the greatest threats to biodiversity world-wide, second only to habitat loss. Join us for an introduction to invasive species, what they are, how they came to be here and what impacts they have on our local ecology. Learn about some of the highest priority species for the Fraser Valley, including new and emerging species, as well as information on decision making and management practices.
Erica Mulder is the Outreach Coordinator for the Fraser Valley Invasive Species Society (FVISS). She is currently working on a diploma in Restoration of Natural Systems out of the University of Victoria and is involved in a variety of community stewardship projects.
