What we’re about
Looking for a constructive way to improve the health of our environment? Want to support your own health and be part of a community?
We bring together people to help parks, governmental agencies, charities, non-profits, societies, educational institutions, land trusts, and stewardship groups tackle environmental issues that need co-operation and teamwork to get done. NO EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY! All ages, abilities and experience levels are welcome and accommodated. INSTRUCTION, GLOVES, TOOLS AND REFRESHMENTS ARE PROVIDED. The Lower Mainland Green Team is a program of the charity Green Teams of Canada.
Activities include:
- Removing invasive plants that are outcompeting and overtaking our native plants and trees
- Planting native plants and trees
- Picking up litter in natural spaces
- Nature interpretive walks
- And anything that gets people together in nature to make a difference!
What you will get out of participating:
- Learn first-hand about the environmental issues faced in local parks
- Make a positive impact by conserving, restoring and enhancing green spaces
- Spend time in nature and enjoy the mental and physical health benefits of doing so
- Meet new people and be part of a community
- Learn to be a leader and work as a team
- Build stewardship and habitat restoration skills
- Get exercise outdoors
- Feel happier, healthier and more connected to nature
- Explore places in the Lower Mainland you may have never been to before
- Learn about all the amazing work being done by different groups and organizations in the Lower Mainland to take care of the environment
- Gain volunteer hours (a letter to confirm your hours will be emailed to you upon request)
- Have fun!
PLEASE REGISTER AS A GREEN TEAM VOLUNTEER HERE before participating in your first activity! (you will only need to fill out this form once)
Contact
Want to reach the organizer? Email Ashton at ashton@greenteamscanada.ca!
DON'T SEE ANY EVENTS POSTED? Hang tight! We are working hard to organize more opportunities for you!
We mostly run activities March-June and September-November, but are working to provide other opportunities year round!
Follow us on social media to stay up to date with our Green Team!
Facebook: @LowerMainlandGreenTeam
Instagram: @lowermainlandgreenteam
Twitter: @LMGreenteam
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History
Our founder, Lyda Salatian, ran the Lower Mainland Green Team's first activity ran on March 8, 2011 at Campbell Valley Regional Park in Langley. The Lower Mainland Green Team quickly grew and its success led to the founding of our national charity, Green Teams of Canada, on October 28, 2013 with the goal to launch Green Teams across the country. Soon after our Greater Victoria Green Team was born on August 1, 2014 and we look forward to launching a new Green Team in a brand new place by 2025.
Read more about our history HERE!
2011-2017 activity summaries (including before and after photos) can be found HERE!
2018-Present activity summaries (including before and after photos) can be found HERE!
See photos from each of our activities by clicking on Photos
Our mission
To connect, build and empower diverse communities through hands-on activities that promote health, well-being and environmental stewardship
DONATE to our charity, Green Teams of Canada
If you love the work we do and want to support us through a donation please click HERE. The money goes to organizing and running LMGT activities, volunteer management, native plants and trees, snacks, tools and communication materials.
AWARDS WON
- 2014 YWCA Environmental Sustainability Award
- 2013 National Hometown Heroes award from Earth Day Canada. To see the award click --> HERE to learn more about the award click --> HERE
- 2013 Frank Sanford Award for Community Service from the Vancouver Natural History Society. To see the award click --> HERE. To learn more about this award please click--> HERE
- 2012 - Jane Goodall Institute has given the LMGT a certificate of recognition. To check it please click --> HERE
Media
The Lower Mainland Green Team has been featured in the media 50+ times.
You can read the media coverage that our Lower Mainland and Greater Victoria Green Teams have received since 2011 HERE!
Want to learn more about us? click on the below links!
Metro Vancouver Park June 2014 piece about the LMGT --> HERE
A LMGT volunteer who is filmmaker from NSHG Films created this awesome Video --> HERE
CBC Radio Early Edition Jan 4 2014 interview --> HERE
Global News interview July 31 2013 --> HERE
David Suzuki talks about the Lower Mainland Green Team--> HERE
A 5 minute slide show about the LMGT --> HERE
Funders, Community Investment Partners and Donors like YOU!
Without financial support, the Lower Mainland Green Team would not be able to make a positive impact on communities or the environment. Thank you to everyone who financially supports us! If you love the work we do and want to support us through a donation, please click HERE.
Partners and Collaborators
We believe much more can get done working together. Below are some groups we have worked with over the years:
Metro Vancouver Parks
BC Parks
Vancouver Park Board
City of Burnaby
City of Coquitlam
City of North Vancouver
District of North Vancouver
District of West Vancouver
City of Surrey
City of Richmond
Corporation of Delta
City of White Rock
City of Port Moody
Lighthouse Park Preservation Society
Caulfeild Park Conservation Society
Alouette River Management Society
Fraser Basin Council
Kanaka Education and Environmental Partnership Society
Burns Bog Conservation Society
Cougar Creek Streamkeepers
Minnekhada Park Association
Burnaby Lake Park Association
Sunnyside Acres Heritage Society
Friends of Semiahmoo Bay/Birds on the Bay
Catching the Spirit Youth Society
North Shore Wetland Partners Society
False Creek Watershed Society
Earthwise Society
Edible Garden Project
Fresh Roots Society
The Sharing Farm Society
Rivers Institute at BCIT
Jericho Stewardship Group
Pacific Spirit Park Society
Evergreen
Everett Crowley Park Committee
Coastal Painted Turtle Project
Friends of Hunter Park
Langley Environmental Partners Society
Ceed Centre Society
Balance Ecological
North Surrey Organic Garden Society
Stoney Creek Environment Committee
North Shore Mountain Biking Association
Better Environmentally Sound Transportation
White Rock and Surrey Naturalists
Generous Businesses
There are many generous businesses who have helped build the Lower Mainland Green Team. They contribute refreshments and products to volunteers to reward their hard work taking care of the environment! To learn more about them click HERE
Photos/Video
We may take photos and/or videos at the events. These may be posted here on meetup and/or other sites like youtube. The photos may also be used for communication materials. If you prefer to not be on camera make this clear to whoever is pointing a camera your way and/or duck out! Also please note, photos may be taken of you with products businesses have donated to LMGT volunteers and posted on their facebook pages.
RSVP'ing and not showing up
There are two rules:
1. Because equipment, tools and refreshments are brought to each event based on the number of people coming, if you have RSVP'd 3 times that you are going to 3 events and without notice have not shown up, you will be removed from the Lower Mainland Green Team. To "un-rsvp" go to where you had originally clicked on "join us" on the event page and click on "change RSVP". Please do this by the day before the event.
2. If you sign up for an event with a restricted number of participants, the spaces become filled and there is a waiting list and you do not show up (and have no good reason) you will be removed. You must UN-RSVP at least 2 days before an event (to give other members a chance to take your vacated spot and participate)
Other volunteer opportunities
Please check out the following page for more environmental volunteer opportunities --> HERE
Upcoming events
2
FireSmart! Remove Woody Debris & Invasive Plants at Gaudin Creek Trail, Mission!
Gaudin Creek Trail, Intersection of Egglestone Ave., Nottman St., & Dalke Ave., Mission, BC, CAHelp us work to FireSmart the Gaudin Creek Trail in Mission by removing Woody Debris & invasive plants such as Himalayan Blackberry and English ivy!
NO EXPERIENCE needed, ALL AGES & abilities welcome! Just bring yourself, curiosity, & a willingness to get your hands a little dirty 🌿. We'll provide instruction, tools, gloves & snacks! Comes for as long as you are able to!
This activity will run RAIN OR SHINE! 🌦️
This activity will focus on FireSmart principles- reducing wildfire risks by removing dry debris, pruning vegetation, and maintaining defensible space around homes and natural areas. This activity supports local FireSmart initiatives and helps build wildfire-resilient neighborhoods. Take action to make our community more resilient to wildfires! To learn more about FireSmart visit mission.ca/firesmart or firesmartbc.ca
Following the FireSmart activity, join the Mission Environmental Stewardship Society (MESS) for a litter cleanup of the Gaudin Creek Trail to help further protect the area’s biodiversity and wildlife!
This activity is brought to you by the Mission Fire Rescue Service & our charity, Green Teams of Canada.
MEETING LOCATION 📍
We’ll meet at the trail entrance at the north corner of the Egglestone Ave. & Nottmann Street intersection HERE. Put Gaudin Creek Trail, Mission into your GPS to navigate here!
👉 Google Map Pin: Click HERE for meeting spot map
Look for our directional signs to help you find us!
WHY JOIN A GREEN TEAM ACTIVITY? 🌳
You’ll walk away having:
- Met new people & felt part of something bigger than yourself
- Learned about local ecosystems & environmental issues
- Made a tangible difference for the environment
- Spent quality time outdoors (great for mental health!)
- Gotten some fresh air & exercise
- Earned volunteer hours (if you need them)
- Enjoyed delicious snacks 🍪 🧃 & warm, welcoming vibes
- Had fun, even if it rains 🙂
The Lower Mainland Green Team is a program of the charity Green Teams of Canada. We connect & empower people by organizing hands-on, inclusive, safe & impactful environmental activities. Whether it’s your 1st time coming out or your 50th, you’ll be guided every step of the way.
Want to know what to expect at an activity?
Check out our Lower Mainland Green Team Activity Blogs!
STEPS TO SIGN UP 📝
✅ Step 1: Confirm you're able to attend!
Please only sign up if you're 100% committed to participating. If your plans change, please update your RSVP as soon as possible. Our activities often fill up & have waitlists. Timely updates help open spots for others who’d love to join!
We also pack tools & supplies, and buy snacks in advance based on RSVPs so last-minute changes (within 24-48 hrs) are hard to accommodate, so we appreciate your care in registering thoughtfully & honouring the shared effort that makes these activities possible.
✅ Step 2: Registration (one-time only)
If this is your first-ever Green Team activity, please complete our Volunteer Registration Form:
- All new volunteers CLICK 👉 Volunteer Registration Form
* You only need to do this once.
* This form registers you as a volunteer with our charity, it does not sign you up for activities
✅ Step 3: RSVP
- Click "Attend” on this activity page; or,
- Email 📧 Max@GreenTeamsCanada.ca
Update your RSVP as soon as possible if something changes & you're no longer able to attend so others excited to participate can join us!
FLOW OF THE DAY ⏱️
- 9:45 am - Arrival, check-in, grab gloves
- 10 am - Safety talk, education, & demonstration
- 11:30 am - Snack break
- 12:45 pm - Wrap-up & pack up
- 1 pm - Sign-out & activity ends
Following the FireSmart activity, feel free to join the Mission Environmental Stewardship Society (MESS) for a litter cleanup of the Gaudin Creek Trail to help further protect the area’s biodiversity and wildlife!
- Time: 1-3PM
- Provided by MESS: Safety vests, litter pickers, buckets, gloves, garbage bags, and all other necessary equipment
- After the event: MESS will handle all litter disposal
- What to bring: A water bottle and weather-appropriate attire
WHAT TO BRING 🧥👖
Please come prepared for outdoor, hands-on work:
- Clothes you don’t mind getting dirty
- Long sleeves & long pants (to protect from thorny plants + bugs)
- Sturdy closed-toe shoes or boots
- Refillable water bottle
- Rain jacket (just in case!)
- Hat & weather-appropriate layers
- Your own gloves/tools/safety glasses if you prefer (optional - we provide everything you need)
WHAT WE PROVIDE 🧤
We’ve got you covered with:
- Gloves, tools & safety glasses
- Instruction, safety talk & environmental education
- Friendly, experienced staff support
- Snacks & refreshments
- Photos & videos of the day
- Volunteer reference letters (on request after the activity)
GETTING THERE 🚌 🚗 🚲
Parking:
- There is free street parking in the neighbourhood.
Cycling:
- Plan your bicycle route using Google Maps to join us! The City of Mission is home to many cycling routes and supports cycling as a healthy means of active transportation.
Transit:
- Plan your route with Google Maps, download the Transit app (green icon) on your phone, or reference BC Transit's Schedule & Map for the area here.
Carpooling:
- Use the “comments” section below to offer or request a ride
- Staff can share information but are unable to coordinate carpools
- Please prioritize clear communication & personal safety
- Staff cannot offer rides
WASHROOMS 🚻
There will be a washroom available at our meeting spot.
COMMUNITY INVESTMENT PARTNER 💚
A BIG thank you to our Community Investment Partner, the City of Mission Fire Rescue Service! Their financial support & commitment to our shared goals enables us to reduce fire risk, promote environmental stewardship, & community well-being!
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 🧡
This activity is taking place on the traditional, ancestral & unceded territories of the sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ (Katzie), Kwantlen, S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō), Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla & other Coast Salish Nations
QUESTIONS?
Email Max@greenteamscanada.ca
We’d love to have you join us. Come as you are & leave knowing you made a real difference to yourself, your community, & the environment!2 attendees
Mountain Views! Restore Salmon Habitat @ Trethewey Channel, Maple Ridge
Trethewey Channel, 13193 216 St, Maple Ridge, BC, CAHelp Restore Salmon Spawning Habitat at Tretheway Channel!
JOIN US to connect with others in nature and help restore this salmon spawning channel by removing invasive blackberry & planting native species to increase the biodiversity & function of this important area!
Brought to you by partnership with the Alouette River Management Society & our charity Green Teams of Canada.
NO EXPERIENCE needed. ALL AGES & abilities welcome! Just bring yourself, curiosity & willingness to get your hands a little dirty 🌿. We'll provide instruction, tools, gloves & snacks! Comes for as long as you are able to!
*Please note that some areas are more accessible than others. Because we are along the Alouette River, some areas can be muddy. Rain boots are HIGHLY recommended!*
This activity will run RAIN OR SHINE! ⛅
MEETING LOCATION 📍
Meet at 13193 216 St, Maple Ridge HERE. At the stop sign at 216 St and 132 Ave, go straight and take an immediate left. Head up the driveway then take a right and you'll see us. Follow our signs!
👉 Google Map Pin: Click HERE for meeting spot map
Look for our directional signs to help you find us!
WHY JOIN A GREEN TEAM ACTIVITY? 🌳
You’ll walk away having:
- Met new people & felt part of something bigger than yourself
- Learned about local ecosystems & environmental issues
- Made a tangible difference for the environment
- Spent quality time outdoors (great for mental health!)
- Gotten some fresh air & exercise
- Earned volunteer hours (if you need them)
- Enjoyed delicious snacks 🍪 🧃 & warm, welcoming vibes
- Had fun, even if it rains 🙂
The Lower Mainland Green Team is a program of the charity Green Teams of Canada. We connect & empower people by organizing hands-on, inclusive, safe & impactful environmental activities. Whether it’s your 1st time coming out or your 50th, you’ll be guided every step of the way.
Want to know what to expect at an activity? Check out our Lower Mainland Green Team Activity Blogs!
STEPS TO SIGN UP 📝
✅ Step 1: Confirm you're able to attend!
Please only sign up if you're 100% committed to participating. If your plans change, please update your RSVP as soon as possible. Our activities often fill up & have waitlists. Timely updates help open spots for others who’d love to join!
We also pack tools & supplies, and buy snacks in advance based on RSVPs so last-minute changes (within 24-48 hrs) are hard to accommodate, so we appreciate your care in registering thoughtfully & honouring the shared effort that makes these activities possible.
✅ Step 2: Registration (one-time only)
If this is your first-ever Green Team activity, please complete our Volunteer Registration Form:
- All new volunteers CLICK 👉 Volunteer Registration Form
* You only need to do this once.
* This form registers you as a volunteer with our charity, it does not sign you up for activities
✅ Step 3: RSVP
- Click "Attend” on this activity page; or,
- Email 📧 Max@GreenTeamsCanada.ca
Update your RSVP as soon as possible if something changes & you're no longer able to participate so others excited to participate can join us!
FLOW OF THE DAY ⏱️
- 9:45 am - Arrival, check-in, grab gloves
- 10 am - Safety talk, education, & demonstration
- 11:30 am - Snack break
- 12:45 pm - Wrap-up & pack up
- 1 pm - Sign-out & activity ends
WHAT TO BRING 🧥👖
Please come prepared for outdoor, hands-on work:
- Clothes you don’t mind getting dirty
- Long sleeves & long pants (to protect from thorny plants + bugs)
- Sturdy closed-toe shoes or boots
- Refillable water bottle
- Rain jacket (just in case!)
- Hat & weather-appropriate layers
- Your own gloves/tools/safety glasses if you prefer (optional - we provide everything you need)
WHAT WE PROVIDE 🧤
We’ve got you covered with:
- Gloves, tools & safety glasses
- Instruction, safety talk & environmental education
- Friendly, experienced staff support
- Snacks & refreshments
- Photos & videos of the day
- Volunteer reference letters (on request after the activity)
GETTING THERE 🚌 🚗 🚲
Parking:
- Free parking in area. Watch out for our signs to direct you on-site.
Cycling:
- Plan your bicycle route on the Cycling in Metro Vancouver page.
Transit:
- This site is not very transit accessible. We suggest bringing a bike on the bus or planning for a 2.5-3.3km walk from the nearest 701 or R3 bus stops, or connecting with others who are signed up to carpool.
Carpooling:
- Use the “comments” section below to offer or request a ride
- Staff can share information but are unable to coordinate carpools
- Please prioritize clear communication & personal safety
- Staff cannot offer rides
WASHROOMS 🚻
There will be a washroom available at our meeting spot.
COMMUNITY INVESTMENT PARTNER 💚
This activity is being made possible thanks to partnership with the Alouette River Management Society (ARMS). Thank you ARMS for your financial support & commitment to our shared goals to promote environmental stewardship & community well-being!
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 🧡
This activity is taking place on the traditional, ancestral & unceded territories of the sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ (Katzie), Kwantlen, S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō), Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla & other Coast Salish Nations
QUESTIONS?
Email Max@greenteamscanada.ca
We’d love to have you join us. Come as you are & leave knowing you made a real difference to yourself, your community, & the environment!11 attendees
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