If you’re ever looking for a day to learn more about how to better take care of our planet, Earth Day is always a good start.

This worldwide yearly event, which takes place on April 22, is meant to celebrate our planet’s diversity while also learning more about how to protect it.

And you don’t have to go very far to do your part to play a role in positive change. Here are some events that are scheduled to take place in New Westminster.

Take part in an Earth Day bike parade

This Earth Day bike parade will be hosted by Tammy Dewar and Coun. Tasha Henderson, with some help from HUB Cycling. Henderson is also one of the co-founders of Babies for Climate Action.

The premise is simple: bring your (decorated, if you wish) bike to the Treats concession stand in Queen’s Park at 11am. Make sure to pack your picnic lunch, too: participants will parade all the way to Moody Park, then back to Queen’s Park for the picnic!

All wheels, ages, and abilities welcome. You don’t need to RSVP, but participants will need to sign a waiver.

Further questions can be directed to Coun. Henderson: reach her at [email protected].

Date: April 22, 2023
Time: 11am
This event is free, just make sure to bring a packed lunch for the picnic at the end.

Help build the iNaturalist bank

Last year The Anchor spoke with the Invasive Species Council of BC (ISCBC) for Invasive Species Action Month, which takes place every May. One of the locations in New West we focused on was Glenbrook Ravine.

During our walkabout with Ruby Banwait and Melanie Apps, they mentioned a tech-friendly way of getting to know the plants and animals in your area. Keeping track of what you see in your neighbourhood allows you to record your findings and share them with fellow naturalists.

To date, there have been more than 132 million (and counting) wildlife and plant observations! Learn more about iNaturalist, which is a joint project between the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society by visiting this website.

Earth Day Blackberry removal and native planting event

This event in Port Royal is open to everyone and is a great way to get the family learning about the trials and tribulations of dealing with Himalayan blackberry, an invasive species known to choke out and destroy plants local to our ecosystem. The group is also a fan of the aforementioned iNaturalist app, and hopes participants can help them track the various plant and animal species in the neighbourhood.

Community members should meet at the south end of Holly Avenue (south of Salter Street) in Queensborough. Refreshments will be provided, but the Queensborough Special Programs Committee—which is putting on the event—has asked that folks bring their own tools, including:

• Spade shovels

• Clippers/loppers

• Gloves

There may be some work gloves available. Further questions? Visit the group’s website, or email [email protected].

Date: April 22, 2023
Time: 10am to 1pm (gather at the meet-up point by 10am)
This event is free.

Party with the pollinators

Learn more about how local species—like bats, bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds—pollinate flowers in the Fraser River basin. Their work is important in keeping the Fraser Watershed healthy! Participants will also be able to decorate a mini pollinator pond to take home.

Prices for admission vary—check out the Fraser River Discovery Centre’s website for details.

Date: April 22, 2023
Time: 10am to 4pm
Cost will depend on whether you have a membership with the Centre.

An Earth Day book launch

Cynthia Sharp will be on hand for the launch of her book, “Ordinary Light.” She’ll be joined by a number of special guests, and participants will enjoy a raffle, an open mic—and of course, amazing poetry. This event is hosted in association with the Royal City Literary Arts Society.

Date: April 22, 2023
Time: 2 to 4pm
Cost: Free!

Biospheres + Soundscapes

This series of short, inspiring talks at the Anvil Centre will help people listen to their environment and appreciate global connections. Influence in these talks will come via projects in the arts, in research, and in conservation work.

The participating panel includes Dr. Leah Barclay, the founder of Biosphere Soundscapes. Barclay is an Australian sound artist, designer, and researcher. Barclay will be joined by Ruth Simons, the executive director and lead for the Atl'ka7tsem/Howe Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region, and Dr. Mark Nazemi, a faculty member of Simon Fraser University’s school of interactive arts and technology.

Date: April 22, 2023
Time: 3 to 4:30pm
This event is free, but registration is required. 

Do you have an Earth Day event you’d like us to help you plug? Send it in to us at [email protected] by Wednesday, April 19 so we can add it to this article and include it in the events section of our Thursday newsletter.