Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve Society

Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve Society This is Stó:lō Téméxw. The Great Blue Heron is one of the most distinctive North American birds.

We respectfully acknowledge that the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve is located on the shared traditional, unceded & ancestral territory of the The’wá:lí people, who are part of the Ts’elxwéyeqw Tribe, and the Semá:th Tribe. However, the Pacific Great Blue Herons do not migrate and depend entirely on wetland habitat in the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island for their survival. The Pacific Grea

t Blue Heron is a Species at Risk and requires our significant conservation efforts to ensure the long-term viability of its population. It is fitting that the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve takes its name from this bird, for on the south-western portion of the Reserve is one of the largest heron nesting colonies in the Lower Mainland. With over 100 nests, the colony is active from March through July of each year. We respectfully acknowledge that the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve is located on the shared traditional, unceded & ancestral territory of the The’wá:lí people, who are part of the Ts'elxewyeqw Tribe, and the Semá:th Tribe. We acknowledge the ongoing negative effects of colonialism on all Sto:lo peoples and seek to work side by side with those who looked after the land before us, incorporating traditional knowledge into the ways we are caring for this land through conservation and education.

Thanks to the Ministry of Forests having a plethora of leftover cedar plugs at the end of their planting season, we curr...
06/19/2026

Thanks to the Ministry of Forests having a plethora of leftover cedar plugs at the end of their planting season, we currently have about 250 plugs to give away. Although it's not ideal weather to plant them, take a few and hopefully at least some of them will be hardy enough to survive the summer with a little extra care. They are available in the interpretive centre from 10 to 4, located at 5200 Sumas Prairie Road.

Passionate about nature, art and getting involved with your community? We're looking for volunteers to help out with our...
06/17/2026

Passionate about nature, art and getting involved with your community? We're looking for volunteers to help out with our summer camps! Our camps are fully run by our instructors, but we need extra support to help with managing the group. Email [email protected] to sign up today!

We have lots of upcoming events and workshops this spring & summer!😌🌿June 13th, 11:00pm - 2:00pm, FREEIndigenous People’...
06/11/2026

We have lots of upcoming events and workshops this spring & summer!😌🌿

June 13th, 11:00pm - 2:00pm, FREE
Indigenous People’s Month Celebration & Gracie Kelly's Travels with Salmon Play

June 24th, 7:00pm - 8:00pm, $10
Our Town, Our Trees: Little Mountain Walk with Debora Soutar

June 27th, 10:00am - 1:00pm, $40
Duckling Painting Class with John Leflock

July 11th, 18th, & 25th, 10:00am - 12:00pm, $90
3 Part Sketching Essentials Series with John Leflock

June 28th, 1:00pm
Canada’s Endangered Animals by Grace Kennedy Book Launch

July 22nd, 7:00pm - 8:00pm, $10
Our Town, Our Trees: Sardis Park Walk with Debora Soutar

August 26th, 7:00pm - 8:00pm, $10
Our Town, Our Trees: Central Community Park with Debora Soutar

Visit our website https://www.chilliwackblueheron.com/ for more information and to register for specific events.

Email [email protected] or call our office 604-823-6603 with any questions!

What are the chances?
05/05/2026

What are the chances?

A Pacific great blue heron, a species at risk in B.C., was rescued in False Creek after its toe got trapped in a massive 300-gram oyster! A biologist spotted the struggling bird as the tide rose and alerted the B.C. Wildlife Response Team. To safely free the bird without the oyster clamping down harder, veterinarian Dr. Adrian Walton used a specialized fish anesthetic to relax the mollusk so it would pop open. The heron suffered ligament damage and will require a toe amputation, but is expected to make a full recovery after rehabilitation. Rescuers plan to keep the oyster shell as a memento of this highly unusual event. 💙🐦 Full report on (CBC News)

Join us and the Fraser Valley Invasive Species Society in removing Fern-Leaf Yarrow from the GBHNR.  This is the only kn...
05/04/2026

Join us and the Fraser Valley Invasive Species Society in removing Fern-Leaf Yarrow from the GBHNR. This is the only known population of this species on public land in the entire Fraser Valley.

Please follow the link below to register for the event!
https://fviss.ca/event/fern-leaf-yarrow-pull-2026

FVISS will also be conducting an Italian Arum pull at Fishtrap Creek on the Saturday, May 23rd.

I've attached the registration link for that event below as well!
https://fviss.ca/event/italian-arum-pull-2026

We got new books in our gift shop! Also, come check out our Mother's Day table with lots of gift options for Mom and our...
05/01/2026

We got new books in our gift shop! Also, come check out our Mother's Day table with lots of gift options for Mom and our plant table, which features native plants that are currently flowering!

Today we celebrate World Wetlands Day, a chance to recognize and celebrate the critical importance of wetlands and the l...
02/03/2026

Today we celebrate World Wetlands Day, a chance to recognize and celebrate the critical importance of wetlands and the life they sustain, both for wildlife and our community.

Wetlands like those at the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve are living examples of what’s possible when nature is given space, care, and respect. Among the most productive ecosystems on Earth, wetlands provide vital habitat for birds, amphibians, fish, and a rich diversity of plant species, including many at risk. They also work quietly and powerfully to filter water, reduce flooding, and store carbon; supporting a healthier climate and cleaner waterways for all.

The success of these wetlands is the result of ongoing stewardship, research, and community involvement. Together, these efforts have helped restore and protect a landscape where biodiversity flourishes and where people can connect with nature, learn, and reflect.

On World Wetlands Day, we celebrate these remarkable ecosystems and the collective care that helps them thrive. Healthy wetlands are a success story worth celebrating; because when wetlands flourish, our communities do too.

01/29/2026

Just a friendly reminder that while we love dogs, most of our trails here at the heron reserve are NOT dog friendly🐶

We are a nature reserve and our mandate is to protect and conserve nature! Even the most well behaved dogs can still stress and disturb wildlife with their scent alone. Dogs can also damage our native vegetation and delicate ecosystems.

The only trails that on leash dogs are allowed on are the Centre Trail, the Vedder Rotary Trail and the D**e Trails.

Here is a list of a few dog friendly trails in our area:
- Vedder Dog Park (off-leash)
- Vedder Rotary Trail (on-leash)
- Island 22 Dog Park (off-leash)
- Chilliwack Community Forest (on-leash)
- Browne Creek Wetlands (on-leash)
- Cultus Lake Dog Beach (off-leash)
- No. 3 Rd Dog Park (off-leash)

Thank you for your understanding and working with us to protect this precious ecosystem!🌿

Address

5200 Sumas Prairie Road
Chilliwack, BC
V2R4N7

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve Society posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Share