Description
Celebrate our local waterways at World Rivers Day on Sunday, September 25. Join us for this free family-friendly event and learn about our local waterways and restoration efforts to help protect these environments. Activities include demonstrations, displays, tours, activities, crafts and live entertainment.
Schedule of activities and locations include:
Village
Learn about natural environments and the importance of waterways in our communities, by exploring exhibitor demonstrations, displays and interactives.
- BC Wildlife Federation
- Burnaby Lake Park Association
- Cariboo Heights Forest Preservation Society
- Children’s Craft – fish inspired paper windsock in from 11 am-4 pm
- City of Burnaby – Eco-Sculptures display and activity
- City of Burnaby Environmental Services – Solid Waste & Recycling
- Ocean Wise Mobile Programs from 11:30 am-3 pm
- Stanley Park Ecology Society
- Stoney Creek Environmental Committee
Meadow
Hands on children's activities:
- Lower Mainland Green Team
- City of Burnaby Water Dispensing Trailer
- Nylon Zoo: Interactive storytelling & dress up
- Official Community Plan – Burnaby 2050
- St. John Ambulance
- Science AL!VE, SFU! – children’s activity
Orchard
Interactive activities, displays and Deer Lake Brook interpretation:
- BAG on a Bike – printmaking demo and activity
- OWL Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society from 11 am-3:30 pm
- North Shore Black Bear Society
- Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society
Central Park Theatre
- Burnaby Waterways on Film
Entertainment and interactive schedule
- 11:30 am – Walking Tour with John Preissl (Meet at the Learning House)
- 11:30 am-12 pm – Kelly Haines, Ventriloquist (Vorce Stage)
- 12-12:35 pm – Stories on Wheels (Autos Shop)
- 1 pm – Opening Remarks (Vorce Stage)
- 1:30 pm – Ginalina and Family Band (Vorce Stage)
- 1:45-2:30 pm – Stories On Wheels (Autos Shop)
- 2 pm – Walking Tour with John Preissl (Meet at the Learning House)
- 2:30-3:30 pm – River Mural Project (Bandstand Area)
- 3-3:30 pm – Meet & Greet with Kellie Haines (Orientation Plaza)
Schedules are subject to change.
Food trucks will also be on site with offerings from: Crema Ice Cream, Groovin’ Grill and Cravings Kettle Corn.
History of BC River's Day
In 1980, Burnaby resident and river conservationist, Mark Angelo, founded BC Rivers Day in an effort to raise awareness about the importance that rivers play in our environments as well as the need for better river management to protect these vital resources.
In 1993, the City of Burnaby was the first municipality in BC to proclaim BC River’s Day. Since then, the City works with community partners to host an annual community event.
Thousands of Canadians now celebrate each year making this Canada’s largest river appreciation event. In 2005, the United Nations established World Rivers Day which is now a global event to celebrate rivers each year on the fourth Sunday of every September.
Meet the founder
“Rivers are the arteries of our planet; they are lifelines in the truest sense.” – Mark Angelo
Mark Angelo, a Burnaby resident, is the founder of BC Rivers Day and World Rivers Day. He is an avid river conservationist and has been recognized by his effort throughout Canada, receiving awards, recognitions and even the Order of Canada for his river conservation efforts.
To learn more about the founder and the history behind Rivers Day, visit BC Rivers Day and World Rivers Day.
Burnaby Streamkeepers program
The Burnaby Streamkeeper and stewardship groups are dedicated to protecting Burnaby’s waterways and watersheds. These committed group of volunteers dedicate their time to monitor, enhance and advocate for the protection of waterways as well as adjacent streamside riparian areas that support aquatic life.
Do you want to be a steward of your watershed or find out where to watch the salmon spawn?
Check out the Burnaby Streamkeepers program page to see a list of active streamkeeper groups to contact for more information.