Rivers, rivers and streams will be celebrated on September 25 as part of World Waterways Day. Demonstrations and activities for young and old will take place from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Burnaby Museum Village.
Resources taken for granted, waterways are now the subject of more attention after episodes of high summer heat. In 2005, the United Nations established World Rivers Day, which is now a global event to celebrate rivers every year on the fourth Sunday of September.
Mark Angelo is a strong river advocate and his efforts have been recognized across Canada. A recipient of awards, recognition and even the Order of Canada for his river conservation efforts, in 1980 he founded BC Rivers Day. This Burnaby resident’s goal is to raise awareness about the importance of rivers in our environment and the need for better river management to protect these vital resources.
In 1993, the City of Burnaby was the first municipality in British Columbia to proclaim BC Rivers Day. Since then, the city has worked with community partners to host an annual community event.
Activities for the whole family
This World Waterways Day in Burnaby is an opportunity to discover activities related to the world of rivers and water in general. For budding artists, BAG on A Bike offers lino printing and Gyotaku à la Burnaby Art Gallery. Gyotaku is a traditional Japanese technique from the 1800s of imprinting the imprint of a fish onto paper or fabric. First used by fishermen to immortalize their trophies, it later became a real art form.
The youngest can make windsocks in the shape of a carp: crafts for children, in color diffusing paper.
Young and old can discover exhibitions and demonstrations at the museum and enjoy a screening of short films on the theme of the river at the Central Park Theater.
Many conservation and environmental organizations, such as Burnaby Lake Park Association, North Shore Black Bear Society, Stanley Park Urban Wild Life Ecology Society, Stoney Creek Environmental Committee, OWL Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society, Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society or Cariboo Heights Forest Preservation Society Will be present.
The City of Burnaby will also have two waste management booths (City of Burnaby Solid Waste & Recycling team) and water (City of Burnaby mobile water refill station). Simon Fraser University will offer information with its program Science Alive SFU. The sea will not be outdone with the presence ofOcean Wise Mobile program.
Stream Guardians
the Burnaby Streamkeepers and stewardship groups are dedicated to protecting Burnaby’s waterways and watersheds. These groups of dedicated volunteers devote their time to monitoring, improving and advocating for the protection of waterways and adjacent riparian areas that support aquatic life.
City staff work closely with Stream Guardian groups, who act as stewards of our natural heritage and care for Burnaby’s waterways through litter cleanup campaigns and streams, habitat improvement projects, salmon fry releases, storm drain markings and environmental data collection.
These groups offer the chance to become a watershed guardian and know where to observe salmon spawning. It is possible to register to participate in the conservation of waterways by joining the group of volunteers who will remove invasive plants from streams and rivers. Participants of all ages and skill levels are welcome on September 24 at Central Park and September 25 at Burnaby Museum Village. This event is an initiative of Lower Mainland Green Team.
For more information: www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca
