The Stanley Park Ecology Society (SPES) is a small nonprofit that quietly accomplishes enormous things, from removing invasive plant species from Stanley Park to teaching visitors about Park wildlife in the Lost Lagoon Nature Centre. We act as a biology advisor to the Vancouver Park Board to ensure that wildlife has a voice in management decisions, and we map and monitor species at risk and the places they inhabit. In short, we are stewards of Stanley Park, with a mission to keep its wildlife wild and its visitors inspired by their surroundings.
With education as one of our main focus areas, we pour tons of effort into our school programs, which reach about 12,000 students each year. Through curriculum-based Park and Classroom programs led by our experienced educators, schoolkids are introduced to the wonders of nature and given hands-on opportunities to explore it. Our popular Urban Camping program allows many children their first overnight wilderness adventures -- amazing experiences for kids who otherwise might never have gone camping.
SPES accomplishes so much on a limited budget, and we are constantly seeking financial support to sustain our projects. This year, we aim to raise enough funds to provide free programming to a local elementary school, offering every student in the school a chance to discover nature in their backyard and learn to become stewards of Stanley Park. Five thousand dollars will enable us to bring nature education to every class and provide professional development workshops for teachers so they too can help inspire the ambassadors of nature for the future.
For more information about SPES, check out our website at www.stanleyparkecology.ca.