Invasive Species: What they Are and How to Identify Them

March 16, 2024 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm

Have you ever wondered which invasive plants live in your neighbourhood and local parks? How can we differentiate between invasive, non-native plants and our native ones? What other invasive species currently affect our region? And what can we do about them? Join us for a walk around VanDusen Gardens to learn about their impact on our environment and gain practical knowledge on how to identify, prevent, and manage them in your own green spaces. We all have a part to play in maintaining biodiversity in our region! 

Most of this session will take place outside in the Garden as a guided walk, so participants should be prepared to walk for about 1.5 hours and dress appropriately for the weather.

Location: VanDusen Botanical Garden

Price: $28.60 Taxes not included

Registration: you can register to attend this walk on the Van Dusen website

Instructor’s Bio 
Adrian Avendaño, Executive Director of the Invasive Species Council of Metro Vancouver, is an environmental technician and interdisciplinary artist based in Surrey-Vancouver, Canada [stolen lands of the q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen), Semiahma (Semiahmoo), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱ wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples]. He holds a Diploma of Technology from BCIT’s Forest and Natural Areas Management program and has worked in various public institutions around the Lower Mainland. Between 2020 and 2023, Adrian served as the Stewardship Program Manager at Still Moon Arts Society, where he significantly engaged in community stewardship in Renfrew Ravine Park, Renfrew Community Park, and portions of Still Creek. Additionally, Adrian has volunteered for the Government of Chile’s Ministry of Agriculture: National Forest Corporation in Torres del Paine National Park, creating their invasive plant management plan.