Burns Bog Conservation Society»About

MISSION STATEMENT

“Conservation and protection of Burns Bog forever.”

History

Twenty concerned citizens founded the Burns Bog Conservation Society in 1988. They along with other members of the community had successfully stopped a major development that would have seen Burns Bog put under 20 feet of landfill and converted to commercial, residential, industrial and one square mile scooped out for a deep-sea port. The port was an ill-conceived plan, as the ships it was designed for could not access it except at high tide.

The founders realized that they had won “the battle but not the war” to protect Burns Bog. In order to ensure long-term protection they felt they needed to continue to educate people about the ecological benefits of the Bog and raise awareness about the need to protect it for future generations.

The Society is a registered society in British Columbia (S-24249) and a registered Canadian charity (BN 12916 6682 RR0001).

Note: Bogs, boglands, peatlands, and mires are synonymous. The “lagg” is the edge of a peatland especially a raised peatland. This is where the beginnings of a raised bog starts. (back to top)

SOME OF OUR SUCCESSES

An evening phone call and a second-hand book in 1994 brought the Society to the attention of Dr. David Bellamy, one of the world’s foremost experts on peatlands.

The Society:

Conducted its first field trip for a group of Surrey students in the Delta Nature Reserve in 1992.
Obtained funding from Shell Oil Limited and the North Delta Lions to start re-opening the trails in 1995 in the Delta Nature Reserve.
In 1995, Dr. David Bellamy from the UK was invited to visit. During his visit the Society discovered he had been to Burns Bog in the 1970s. During his first visit in the 1970s he thought Burns Bog was too degraded and too noisy for his filming and left for Prince Rupert.

On his return in 1995 he discovered that Burns Bog was regenerating from the peat harvesting and told the Society that, “ you have proved by accident in Burns Bog the theory that the bog will regenerate within 40 years!”
On this visit Dr. Bellamy saw his first “eye of the morae.” This is the last water lily left before a bog pond is completely filled in with sphagnum moss.
A Quick Guide to Burns Bog was published in 1995. This was the beginning of the Society’s education programs.
Two directors go to the Peatland Conference in Edinburgh, Scotland in August of 1995.

David Bellamy is the keynote speaker and used his last half hour of his speech to talk about Burns Bog. His closing words were, “Burns Bog must be saved.” He received a standing ovation.
Two resolutions were passed at the conference. One was to have Burns Bog purchased or expropriated and the second was to have Burns Bog declared a Ramsar site.

The Society in partnership with UBC’s Alma Mater Society held the first “Peatlands for People” conference in 1996. Dr. Bellamy was the keynote speaker.
The Society holds North America’s first International Bog Day, July 1996.
Dr. Bellamy accepts the Society’s invitation to be its Hon. Chair in 1997.
Parents and teachers in Delta hold the first Jog for the Bog on Earthday, 1997.
The Society receives the Cultural Diversity Award in 1997 for its work to reach a broader community by translating its Quick Guide to Burns in Punjabi and Mandarin and its inclusiveness in the workplace.
The first Annual Celebrating Women & the Spirit of the Cranes is held in 2002. Six women are recognized for their contributions to the community.
In 2004, four levels of government purchase 5000+ acres (approx. 2275 ha) of Burns Bog.
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FUTURE PLANS

The Society will continue to advocate for Burns Bog. It will encourage government and others to protect the remaining 500 acres (227 ha) that is considered important to the survival of Burns bog.

The Society will continue to build and expand on its successful education programs.

The Society set up a foundation (the Burns Bog Conservation Foundation BN 86456 5841 RR0001) that is still in its infancy. The purpose is:

To create an endowment fund and
A capital campaign fund to build a world-class interpretive or education centre.

The centre will house our library, our education programs as well as administrative offices along with display areas and gift shop. Our long-term plans are ambitious.

Our first goal is to obtain bogland near or next to the “purchased” or “partnership” lands and put a trailer or trailers on it until further funding helps us to build a permanent facility.

There are a number of wetland or peatland centres around the world that we can draw from for ideas. The Irish Peatland Conservation Council has a greenhouse with carnivorous plants from around the world in it. In Canada we have the Creston Valley Wildlife Centre, the Oak Hammond Wetland Centre is another to name a few to draw inspiration from. (back to top)

PROGRAM AREAS

Field trips for elementary, secondary, university and community groups. These are held in the Delta Nature Reserve and cover the history (natural and built) of Burns Bog, wildlife including the flora and fauna.
Summer day camps for children from the age of 6 to 12. The program includes crafts and games related to nature. The children learn basic first aid, wilderness survival skills and plant and animal identification. They receive a t-shirt along with a Campers Manual and a certificate of participation as mementoes.

Creation of education material. Our repertoire of educational material continues to expand to meet the needs of teachers and members of the community. (back to top)

SPECIAL EVENTS

The purpose of the special events is two-fold. One is to raise funds and the other that is equally important is to reach a broader community and educate them about the ecological values of peatlands.

Some of our special events are:

Celebrating Women & the Spirit of the Cranes. This event came about when we realized that women and cranes have been closely associated throughout the ages. Our Sandhill cranes return to Burns Bog by International Women’s Day. Celebrating Women & the Spirit of the Cranes gives us an opportunity to showcase this relationship.
International Bog Day links us with other peatland conservation organizations worldwide as we bring attention to the plight of our fast disappearing peatlands.
JOG FOR THE BOG Trail Run. Showcases the relationship between Burns Bog and the Fraser River locally and raised awareness about the important relationship between healthy bogs and healthy rivers worldwide.
Haunted Hallowe’en Garden. This is the first year for this event. We are partnering with DRS Earthwise Society to showcase our shared values and bring some fun and enjoyment to our young people in a safe environment. (back to top)

PUBLICATIONS

A Quick Guide to Burns Bog, 1996 (later translated into Punjabi and Mandarin), 1996
A Teacher’s Guide to Burns Bog 1996 now in revision
Family Favourites & Wild Gourmet cookbook, 1997
A Teacher’s Resource Guide to Sandhill Cranes, 1998
A Comprehensive Guide to Burns Bog, 2004
Camper’s Manual, 2006
Alternatives to Peat Moss: A Gardener’s Guide, 2006
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INDIRECT BENEFITS OF THE SOCIETY TO THE COMMUNITY

Inspired students to go into advanced education in the field of peatlands.
Collaborated with author Bill Burns to produce, Discover Burns Bog, a brief history of Burns Bog.
Worked with the British Columbia government to set up the Ecosystem Review of Burns Bog, 1999-2000. This is the only review that was not driven directly by a land development proposal.
Collaborated with Mary Bissell to produce A Bog in My Backyard for her masters in communication at Simon Fraser University
A former volunteer represents the youth at the British Columbia Government’s inauguration of the Year of the Volunteer.
Provided teacher from across Canada, the USA up to Alaska with educational material to supplement their teaching programs on the environment.
Provides the community with a research library that is available during office hours.
Works with local groups to provide volunteer opportunities for people with disabilities.
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FUNDING SOURCES

The Burns Bog Conservation Society receives no core funding from any government body. It relies on gifts from our members and donors (our membership is open to anyone who shares our commitment to protecting Burns Bog).

In addition it seeks grants from foundations, sponsorships from corporations, project funding, sales of environmentally friendly products, direct access gaming funds, in-kind donations and proceeds from special events.

Donations can be made through www.CanadaHelps.org or through the mail by cheque, VISA, MasterCard or AMEX. Do not fax or email your credit card information for security reasons. (back to top)

THANK YOU, TO OUR VOLUNTEERS

Our volunteers are invaluable to carrying out our projects and programs. We could not do the work we do without them. This includes our board members who set policy and direction for the Society to our janitor and to all our many helpers who fold and stuff envelopes for us. Thank you for all you do. (back to top)