Abbotsford Mission Nature Club

Annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count
2022-12-27 00:00 (America/Vancouver)
No Experience Required. Counting the birds at your feeders is important too!
Please contact Ken Summers to get involved ken.summers@telus.net

Houston Trail field trip
2022-12-27 00:00
Houston Trail in Derby Reach Regional Park
Explore a mature, coniferous, and mixed forest environment along a rolling, 4 km gravel loop trail. Stop at a viewing platform over Langley Bog and look for wetland bird species. Some steep sections.
Meet at the Derby Reach Regional Park, Heritage Area parking lot, off Allard Crescent, west of Fort Langley.
http://www.metrovancouver.org/services/parks/ParksPublications/DER_RP_Trail_Brochure.pdf

March 8, 2023 Monthly Meeting - Willband Walkers and Photographers
2022-12-27 00:00
Willband Walkers and Photographers
Willband walkers and photographers will present some of their photos of this area. More information to follow.

March 22, 2023 World Water Day Field Trip
2022-12-27 00:00
To the Raingardens in Delta
Rain-water run-off enters Mill Lake and local creeks through catch basins and culverts. This water may contain, for example, brake and tire dust, road salt, excess fertilizers and pesticides, cigarette butts, plastic and paper litter. A rain garden absorbs this runoff instead. Interested in seeing some rain gardens examples. Join us on March 22nd.
We will need at 10:30am at Cravings coffee shop at the corner of 112 Street and 84 Ave in North Delta. There is plenty of mini-mall parking and of course coffee, tea, washrooms, at Cravings. We will leave at 11:00am for a walking loop-tour of several “Social Heart” rain gardens in the area from 112 to 115 Street and 84 to 83 Ave. This takes about 1.5 hours, depending on level of interest and speed of walking. If desired, we can drive a few blocks to North Delta’s largest school rain garden, McCloskey-Hydro, on 80 Ave at 114 Street. It is also feasible to walk there as part of the loop-tour, depending on what the group.
Register with Quirien Mulder ten Kate at qmuldertenkate@gmail.com.

Willband Creek Park birding
2023-02-05 00:00
We will join avid birders, Vince Clements and his wife Ruthanne who will lead us to view the many waterfowl that are present on the ponds.
Meet at 9:30 a.m. in the main parking lot on Bateman Road.
To register email haroos12@gmail.com

Mt. Thom View trail
2023-02-05 00:00
Details to follow.

April meeting
2023-02-05 00:00
Regular monthly meeting, topic to be determined.

Annual Picnic/Social
2023-02-05 00:00
Annual Picnic and Social. Neilson Regional Park, Mission, BC, 6:30pm
Bring your own picnic food. Dessert will be provided.

Earth Day in Mission
2023-02-05 00:00
An hour to one-and-a-half-hour leisurely walk from the Mt. Thom Park Churchill Parkway in Ryder Lake.
The lookout offers views of surrounding mountains, Cultus Lake and the Fraser Valley.
There are pit toilets at the trail head.
On your way back through Chilliwack you can take in the Chilliwack Climate Fair.
Save the date now – more details to follow.

BC Nature Conference in Langley
2023-02-05 00:00
Check out the scheduled speakers and fieldtrips listed in the winter magazine of BC Nature. Since Langley is so close consider registering for some of the events. You won’t be disappointed!
Registration is now open at https://www.langleyfieldnaturalists.org/

May monthly meeting
2023-02-05 00:00
Sandhill Cranes – to be confirmed.

Earthwise Agassiz - Plant Sale
2023-05-20 00:00
Earthwise Agassiz – Plant Sale
Saturday, May 20, 11:00am to 2:00pm
6031 Golf Rd,Agassiz, BC
Plant Sale
See the rain garden
Talk with the staff
Choose from native, pollinator and water-wise plants and veggie starts
Take a self-guided tour through the lush streamside and woodland trails that meander along the Miami River.

Ravine Hatchery - Fin Clipping
2023-05-20 00:00
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

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

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.

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”

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.

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.

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.
