| Regional Parkland Added to Federal Conservation Database | Regional Parkland Added to Federal Conservation Database | | <div class="ExternalClass03F4212D86A14D20BE090613A0AD6C2B"><p>Metro Vancouver has added more than 8,000 hectares of regional parkland to a nationwide database of protected and conserved areas, recognizing the importance of protecting green spaces for future generations.<br></p><p>“Metro Vancouver’s regional parks, greenways, conservancy areas, and reserves are our shared legacy,” said Metro Vancouver Board Chair Mike Hurley. “These areas protect vital ecosystems, connect people to nature, and provide important health and climate benefits. Being included in this database reinforces the importance of the work we’re doing through our regional parks and greenways plans and strategies.”</p><p>The federal government is aiming to conserve 30 per cent of Canada’s land and water by 2030 and is working with partners across the country, including Metro Vancouver, to achieve its goal.</p><p>This work includes adding to the <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/national-wildlife-areas/protected-conserved-areas-database.html" href="https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/national-wildlife-areas/protected-conserved-areas-database.html">Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database</a>, which provides a clearer and more complete picture of — and critical information about — the conservation network across the country. It is used by a wide range of people and organizations, such as governments, non-government organizations, researchers, land managers, industry, and the public.</p><p>Part of Metro Vancouver’s contribution to the database is the 2,300-hectare <a data-cke-saved-href="https://metrovancouver.org/services/regional-parks/park/delta-nature-reserve" href="/services/regional-parks/park/delta-nature-reserve">Burns Bog Ecological Conservancy Area</a> and <a data-cke-saved-href="https://metrovancouver.org/services/regional-parks/park/delta-nature-reserve" href="/services/regional-parks/park/delta-nature-reserve">Delta Nature Reserve</a>. <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.burnsbog.ca/" href="https://www.burnsbog.ca/">Burns Bog</a> is a raised bog located between the Fraser River and Boundary Bay and is the largest undeveloped urban land mass in North America. It has a unique ecosystem that is home to diverse plants and wildlife and is one of a handful of sandhill crane nesting sites in the Lower Mainland.</p><p>“The inclusion of the Burns Bog Ecological Conservancy Area in the Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database is a proud milestone for our community, made possible through our strong collaboration with Metro Vancouver,” said City of Delta Mayor George V. Harvie. “This designation supports our collective commitment to protecting this globally unique bog — an ecological treasure that plays a vital role in carbon storage and biodiversity conservation. By formally recognizing Burns Bog, we are making another meaningful contribution to Canada’s goal of conserving 30 per cent of our lands and waters by 2030.”</p><p>This work could not have been done without the support of BC Nature, which helps local governments determine which potential sites meet federal criteria for protected areas through the Municipal Protected Areas Project and assists with registering lands in the database. The Municipal Protected Areas Project is coordinated by Nature Canada.</p><p>“BC Nature is incredibly proud to have supported Metro Vancouver in adding over 8,000 hectares of regional parkland to the Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database. Through the Municipal Protected Areas Project, we’ve seen first-hand Metro Vancouver’s dedication to preserving vital ecosystems like Burns Bog. This significant contribution not only highlights the critical role regional authorities play in achieving Canada’s 30x30 conservation goal but also sets a powerful example for other communities across the country in protecting our shared natural heritage,” said Stewart Guy, Executive Director of BC Nature.</p><p>“Metro Vancouver is leading by example, showing how protecting the parks and green spaces people love in their own communities can drive real progress,” said Dylan Rawlyk, Organizing Manager for Nature Canada. This achievement highlights the value of local action in the journey toward protecting 30 per cent of Canada’s lands and waters by 2030 and reminds us to celebrate the nearby spaces where people and wildlife can thrive together.”</p><p>Some of Metro Vancouver’s parks and green spaces were added in their entirety, such as Kanaka Creek Regional Park, Burns Bog Ecological Conservancy Area/Delta Nature Reserve, and Fraser Islands Regional Park Reserve. More than 90 per cent of təmtəmíx ʷtən/Belcarra Regional Park, Blaney Bog Regional Park Reserve, Minnekhada Regional Park, Surrey Bend Regional Park, Thwaytes Landing Regional Park, and Tynehead Regional Park were also added. Fourteen other parks have portions in the database.</p><p>Metro Vancouver's <a data-cke-saved-href="https://metrovancouver.org/services/regional-parks" href="/services/regional-parks">regional park system</a> is made up of 24 parks, five greenways, two ecological conservancy areas, and two regional park reserves, spanning nearly 14,000 hectares in communities from Bowen Island in the west to Langley and Maple Ridge in the east. Metro Vancouver is working to expand this system with the goal of creating a resilient network of connected parks and greenways for the region’s growing population that balances the protection of natural areas with providing access to nature. </p><p>A full list of regional parkland that was added to the database can be found here: <a data-cke-saved-href="https://ln5.sync.com/dl/437e51e20#8ruz55x5-42kaa2qy-vfkbm29x-yytzv6p3" href="https://ln5.sync.com/dl/437e51e20#8ruz55x5-42kaa2qy-vfkbm29x-yytzv6p3">https://ln5.sync.com/dl/437e51e20#8ruz55x5-42kaa2qy-vfkbm29x-yytzv6p3</a>.</p><p>A map of all land added to the Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database can be found here: <a data-cke-saved-href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/search.open.canada.ca/openmap/6c343726-1e92-451a-876a-76e17d398a1c__;!!A97xj4VDKevydJo!kcXJrVCflncayjAXX4j5X4msZb0lkT89_FgyjE1JKplboab_5ogrj24D-eJ7T3uhul1DgaEumwxOiaJdzcwvlF_S7kDywuzSmLR8qQ$" href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/search.open.canada.ca/openmap/6c343726-1e92-451a-876a-76e17d398a1c__%3b%21%21A97xj4VDKevydJo%21kcXJrVCflncayjAXX4j5X4msZb0lkT89_FgyjE1JKplboab_5ogrj24D-eJ7T3uhul1DgaEumwxOiaJdzcwvlF_S7kDywuzSmLR8qQ$" target="_blank">https://search.open.canada.ca/openmap/6c343726-1e92-451a-876a-76e17d398a1c</a>.<br><br></p></div> | 7/14/2025 7:00:00 AM | | Metro Vancouver Media Relations | media@metrovancouver.org | | |