Burnaby Environment Week is a week long program of environmentally-themed community activities held to coincide with Canadian Environment Week. You’re invited to join us for some of the fun, family-friendly ways we’re celebrating our ecosystems around the City.
Environment week events
Go By Bike Week
Go By Bike Week: June 3-9
Go by Bike Week is a celebration of cycling, where we’re challenged to give cycling a try. Ride your bike to the pharmacy, school, work or to grab a coffee- any destination counts! The more trips you log, the more prizes you could win.
Guided Forest Bathing
Central Park: Sunday, June 2, 9-11 am – Registration required
Confederation Park: Saturday, June 8, 3-5:30 pm – Registration required
Immerse yourself in the symphony of the forest in our Burnaby Parks! Join us for a forest therapy walk inspired by Shinrin-yoku, the Japanese art of "Forest Bathing." Disconnect from technology, rejuvenate your mind, and deepen your connection with nature. Learn more about forest bathing research here.
Burnaby Lake Tree Identification Workshop
Sunday, June 2, 10 am-2 pm – Registration required
Join a wildlife ecologist for a nature hike and introduce yourself to the variety of trees in Burnaby’s ecosystems. Learn about wetlands, different forest successional stages, and more.
Pop-up Activities at Amazing Brentwood and Edmonds Park Plaza
Amazing Brentwood: Sunday, June 2, 11 am-4 pm
Edmonds Park Plaza: Saturday, June 8, 11 am-4 pm
Come meet City staff and learn about what Burnaby is doing to expand our urban forests, enhance ecosystems, conserve water, manage waste, and take action on climate change. Both events will have staff from Parks, Recreation and Culture (Urban Forestry), Engineering (Solid Waste & Recycling and Water Conservation) and Planning and Development (Climate Action & Energy and Environmental Planning).
Ecosystem Restoration Events
Central Park: Sunday, June 2, 9:45 am-1 pm – Registration required
Cariboo Heights: Saturday, June 8, 9:45 am-1 pm – Registration required
We’re partnering with Green Teams of Canada’s Lower Mainland Green Team for 2 days of direct ecosystem restoration! Spend time outside, meet new people, try new things and more, all while removing invasive plants. Plus, learn about and work alongside one of Burnaby's many amazing stewardship groups, the Cariboo Heights Forest Society, on June 8th!
These family-friendly events are a hallmark of Environment Week in Burnaby and one of the most effective ways to take action protecting nature in our city. All ages are welcome, with no experience needed! Educational instruction, gloves, tools and snacks provided.
Indigenous Photo Tour at Deer Lake
Sunday, June 2, 1:30-3 pm – Registration required
Join us for a guided tour of Deer Lake, focused on photography tips for both film cameras and phones that will help you get the perfect nature shots of beautiful Burnaby! This tour is guided by Indigenous guides and photographers John Preissl and Laurie Beeman, who will be sharing some of the Indigenous history of Deer Lake and the surrounding area, including the Legend of Deer Lake, as told by John’s great-great grandfather, Chief Joe Capilano of the Squamish Nation. Laurie will also be sharing traditional knowledge about the plants important to Coast Salish peoples for food and medicine.
Guided Nature Walk – Burnaby Lake Park Association
Sunday, June 2, 11 am-3 pm – Registration required
The Burnaby Lake Park Association (BLPA) is offering an all-ages guided nature walk to celebrate Environment Week.
Birds, Blossoms and Berries Discovery Walk – Cariboo Heights Forest Preservation Society
Sunday, June 2, 10-11:30 am – Registration required
Join the Cariboo Heights Forest Preservation Society for a fun, family friendly stroll through Burnaby’s “secret forest”! Enjoy spring in a beautiful forest as we look for birds, wildflowers and native berries. Learn which animals and plants call this special forest home and why it is important to preserve it.
Guided canoe trips on Deer Lake
Tuesday, June 4- sessions at 6 pm and 7:15 pm – Registration required
Wednesday, June 5 – sessions at 6 pm and 7:15 pm – Registration required
To celebrate Environment Week, we’re offering 4 evening sessions of guided canoe trips on Deer Lake. Experience the sights and sounds of Deer Lake in the heart of Burnaby alongside an experienced canoe instructor—no paddling experience necessary!
Eco-Centre Open House
Saturday, June 8, 10 am-2 pm
Burnaby’s award-winning Eco-centre is the place to go for safe, convenient and friendly drop-off for over 20 different types of recyclable materials, with new categories being accepted all the time! We’re celebrating environment week with an open house featuring live music, and a free bag of compost will be available to Burnaby residents on a first-come, first served-basis (max 2 per household). Even our staff falcon will be available for meet and greets! Join us for a free and fun event.
Byrne Creek Urban Stream Workshop
Saturday, June 8, 10 am-noon – Registration required
Learn about the secret life of an urban stream. Join our wildlife ecologist for an educational tour and find out fascinating facts about these important bodies of water.
Wilderness Education at Burnaby High Schools
Monday, June 3 through Friday, June 7
During Environment Week, Coquitlam search & rescue volunteers (who respond to distress calls in Burnaby) will be delivering presentations to youth at Burnaby high schools. These will be focusing on wilderness safety issues trip planning, surviving outdoors until help arrives, and water safety. Most search & rescue incidents could have been prevented or made less serious by a little preparation- we’re preparing our youth ahead of the summer holidays with critical survival knowledge that could make all the difference. Email [email protected] to register a high school class for a presentation.