Green Living Events & Resources

Gardening Programs - Gordon Neighbourhood House

Join the local gardener Jesse at the Native Plants Garden and learn about salal, huckleberries and other native plants to this area.

Indigenous Food Systems:
  • Celebrate the unceded territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, which have long stewarded this territory to produce an abundance of nutritious food.
  • Learn about how food systems are being challenged by climate change, poor management of marine resources, development and industry
  • Ensure the health and vitality of this place for generations to come.​
  • Free and available to everyone

Community Herb Box:
  • Spice up your meals with fresh herbs at your doorstep
  • Multiple herb boxes across the West End
  • Everyone is welcome to harvest some herbs

Urban Gardening:
  • Gordon House operates multiple volunteer-led urban garden plots across the West End
  • They grow everything from daikon to tomatoes, and all the produce is used for community benefit
  • All ages and abilities welcome
  •  Raised wheelchair accessible plots are available for our friends with limited mobility
  • To volunteer please email welcome@gordonhouse.org

Gathering Gardeners

Come and meet others in your neighbourhood who enjoy gardening and share the love of growing plants and food. The group meets weekly at the Marpole Neighbourhood House.

Open to gardeners of all abilities and interests. 

Dates: Thursdays 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: 8585 Hudson St., Vancouver
Cost: Free for members, annual membership is $6 for adults

West End Urban Garden Club

Join the West End Neighbourhood Food Network’s Urban Garden Club and Village Vancouver at their monthly, family-friendly, gathering. Each month features a short presentation or discussion on a different food or gardening related topic. October's theme is all about countertop kitchen gardens.

Details:
  • Family friendly, children are welcome when accompanied by an adult
  • Free entry
  • Pick up, donate, or swap seeds with the community seed bank
Dates: Held monthly
Location: West End Community Centre Meeting Room 2, 870 Denman St., Vancouver

TD Green Space & Arbor Day Foundation Planting Event

Come join the community for a special planting event sponsored by TD Green Space/the Arbor Day Foundation. Help us contribute to habitat conservation and restoration, and preserve the biodiversity in Stanley Park by planting native herbs, ferns, shrubs, and trees in disturbed parts of the park.

In 2023, they planted north of Beaver Lake as part of one of the biggest planting seasons ever. Tools, plants, and other equipment was provided by generous partners at TD Green Space/the Arbor Day Foundation and the Vancouver Park Board.

Date: Annually each Fall
Location: Stanley Park

Free Swaps Around Vancouver

Commit to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle! Swing by a Free Swap, donate items you no longer need, and pick-up some gently used items. 

Donate:
  • Accepted items: Items that are good, clean, in working condition, ​and small enough to fit in a grocery bag. This includes books, clothing, art, household items, etc. 
  • Items not accepted: Food, furniture, footwear, medicine, bedding, hazardous materials, etc.
  • No requirements for the number of items donated/no donation necessary. 
  • Check-in donated items with the event organizers when you arrive.
Pick-up and Reuse:
  • Take as many items as you like!
  • Check-out selected items with event organizers.​
Dates and times will vary based on the location.
Locations include Trout Lake, West End Farmers Market, Riley Park/Little Mountain, etc. 

​David Suzuki Foundation

Mission of the David Suzuki Foundation:
  • To preserve and safeguard the natural environment in Canada
  • To promote sustainability and climate solutions
  • Promote action through research, education, and policy analysis
  • Various ways to get involved, including local projects and community engagement, online resources, and volunteer opportunities
Partners of the Foundation:
  • Governmental agencies at all levels
  • Nonprofit groups
  • Local businesses
  • Private citizens
Contact Information:
  • Telephone: 604-732-4228

Parks, gardens and beaches
The Vancouver Park Board:
  • Manages a large number of parks in the city
  • Parks make up about 11% of the total land area
  • Parks vary in size and include both small neighborhood green spaces and large destination parks with feature gardens
Access to Vancouver's natural beauty:
  • Vancouver residents and visitors have many opportunities to enjoy the city's natural beauty and access to the sea
  • A 22 km Seawall encircles Stanley Park and False Creek
  • 10 ocean beaches and one freshwater lake beach are available
Activities in Vancouver:
  • Regardless of the weather, visitors can experience Vancouver's natural splendor and be active in many ways
  • There are a variety of activities available, such as walking, jogging, cycling, and rollerblading
  • Water sports like kayaking, paddleboarding, and swimming are also popular

Vancouver's Farmer's Markets
Vancouver's farmer's markets offer a range of locally grown and produced items. While the produce at farmer's markets may be pricier than at other outlets, these markets have a great community vibe and often feature live music. At these markets, you can find:
  • Vegetables and fruit
  • Meat and seafood from local ranchers and fishermen
  • Artisan cheese and bread
  • Herbs and seasonal nursery items
  • Baked goods and prepared foods
  • Artisanal crafts
​
Riley Park / Nat Bailey Stadium 
When: Saturdays
Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Where: 50 East 30th Ave, Vancouver

Trout Lake 
When: Saturdays from April 1 - October 28
Time: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm 
Where: Lakewood Dr. & E 13th Ave., Vancouver

Kitsilano
When: Sundays from May 7 - October 29
Time: 10:00 am - 2:00pm 
Where: Kitsilano Community Centre, 2690 Larch St.

West End
When: Saturdays from May 20 - October 28
Time: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Where: 110 Comox St. (between Bute & Thurlow) 

Mount Pleasant
When: Sundays from May 21 to October 29
Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Where: Dude Chilling Park - 8th Ave & Guelph St

Main Street Station​
Temporarily closed due to construction

Downtown 
When: Wednesdays from May 31 - November 29
Time: 2:00 - 6:00 pm 
Where: 750 Hornby St. at šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn Square 

False Creek
When: Thursdays from June 1 - October 5
Time: 3:00 - 7:00 pm
Where: Creekside Park, 1455 Quebec St.

Hastings Park Winter Farmer's Market
When: November 5 - April 28 
Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Where: PNE Fairgrounds between the Forum and Agrodome

Zero-Waste Team Meetings

Learn more about ongoing waste reduction projects and other zero-waste topics in Metro Vancouver at the monthly Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC) team meeting. Topics include practical tools for reducing waste, reducing carbon dioxide emissions, and addressing pollution. Everyone is welcome to join the conversation. 

Date and Time: Second Wednesday of each month, 6:30 - 8:00 pm 
Location: Virtual via Google Meets

Upcoming Meetings:
  • November 8, 2023
  • December 13, 2023
​Note: Sign-up for the SPEC newsletter. 

tREX: The Renewable Energy eXperience 

Learn about green energy and technology in Vancouver during a tour around Olympic Village. The tour highlights waste-to-energy generation, LEED certification, passive design, and other forms of sustainable energy. 

Details:
  • Tours run from 6:00 - 7:30 pm, and are approximately 1.5 hours
  • Meet at the Olympic Village Skytrain Station
  • Free registration, donations are appreciated 
  • One tour held each month, dates vary