Urban Ecology Resources

Looking for some tips and tricks on how to make your home garden more pollinator friendly?  Check out our online brochures loaded with information and links to even more resources.

Books, Reports and Proceedings (Presented in chronological order)

• New Westminster Environmental Almanac (2,917 KB pdf)
• Compendium of International Urban Ecology Organizations (412 KB pdf)
• Urban Biodiversity: Exploring Natural Habitats and its Value in Cities. 2002. 149 pp.
  • This book describes how we benefit from lawns, trees, butterflies and the rest of nature in the city.
• Vital Signs. 2001.
  • A symposium on monitoring ecological restoration projects.
• Greening the Gravel Symposium. 2000.
• Coquitlam River Symposium. 1999.
• Natural History of the Lower Mainland. 1999. 31 pp.
  • Written as a directory to some of the natural history hotspots in the Lower Mainland.
• Coquitlam River Watershed Almanac. 1999. 77 pp.
  • Provides environmentally responsible activities, highlights stewardship efforts and promotes protection and enhancement along the Coquitlam River.
• Songbirds in the City: A Celebration. 1999. 132 pp.
  • This is a collection of materials from the Green Links and Songbird Projects. It contains some writings and art submitted in a contest for the production of this book.
• Native Plant Propagation Program. Lower Mainland, British Columbia, Curriculum Guide. 1999. 105 pp. (with Environment Canada)
  • A description of the Lower Mainland bioregion and urban biodiversity. Also discusses the use of native vegetation in habitat restoration.
• Native Plant Propagation Program Techniques Manual. 1999. 84 pp.
  • Written as a Teacher's manual for a class program to raise native vegetation from seeds and cuttings for habitat restoration.
• City of Surprises: Discovering Urban Wildlife Habitats. 1998. 122 pp.
  • Descriptions of 37 urban habitats with food webs and questions for thought.
• WEL-USE Feasibility Study. 1998. 75 pp. (with Real Estate Foundation)
  • Feasibility study report on web-based environmental land use databases in GIS format. Includes an inventory of existing databases.
• Prince Charles Elementary School's Nature Mural. 1998. 34 pp.
  • A description of the plants and animals in the nature mural. Includes 14 nature games and some eco-quotes.
• Green Links. 1998. Educators Guide. 76 pp (Green Links is mainly with BC Hydro, BC Gas, BC E-Team, Real Estate Foundation, VanCity, Friends of the Environment Foundation)
  • Curriculum to teach urban biodiversity, the use of native vegetation in restoration, and the value of ecological connectivity.
• Green Links. 1998. Vol. 4. Burnaby Demonstration Project. 176 pp.
  • A description of the Burnaby, BC, Green Links Project, including a design charette exploring the use of a street and yards to establish a corridor.
• Green Links. 1998. Vol. 5. Surrey-Delta Demonstration Project. 159 pp.
  • A description of the Green Link through Surrey and Delta, BC.
• Green Links. 1997. Vol. 1 Coquitlam Demonstration Project. 143 pp
  • An overall description of the Green Links Project and the first demonstration link in Coquitlam, BC.
• Green Links. 1997. Vol. 2 Implementation, Enhancement and Community Action. 320 pp.
  • A collection of brochures, booklets and other materials used in conducting the Green Links Project.
• Green Links. 1997. Vol 3. Additional Data and Documentation for the Coquitlam Project. 124 pp.
  • Additional enhancement plans, a comparison of diversity indices and mapping considerations in connectivity analysis.
• Green Links: Burnaby Design Charette. 1997. 36 pp.
  • This explored opportunities to link two large, environmentally important open spaces, Byrne Creek Ravine and Robert Burnaby Park, in the city of Burnaby.
• Green Links. 1996. Symposium Proceedings. 106 pp.
  • Lectures, workshops and displays involving environmental groups discussing Green Links.
• Mapping Urban Forests: A Community Comparison. 1996. 63 pp.
  • A study of street and yard trees present in Surrey, Coquitlam, New Westminster, Burnaby and Vancouver BC based on original research.
• Environmental Information Systems: Learning How to do Environmental Research Online. 1994. 170 pp. (with Centre for Curriculum Training and Technology)
  • A how-to guide on how to do online environmental research.
• Perspectives on the Environment: Creating a Sustainable Society. 1994. Vol. 1. 239 pp. (with Centre for Curriculum Training and Technology)
  • Using the Lower Mainland, BC, as an example, examining social perceptions consensus building, solid waste, liquid waste and toxic chemicals.
• Perspectives on the Environment: Creating a Sustainable Society. 1994. Vol. 2. 224 pp. (with Centre for Curriculum Training and Technology)
  • Using the Lower Mainland, BC, as an example, examining air quality, environmental law, economics, marketing and environmental citizenship.
• Bird Survey of Noon's Creek, Port Moody. 1993. 93 pp. (with TriCities Friends of the Environment Foundation)
  • Original research on birds found in Noon's Creek, Port Moody, BC.
• Growth Management and Urban Ecology. 1993. Vol. 1. Queensborough - A Case Study. 171 pp. (with the Real Estate Foundation)
  • A description of the natural environment and development issues surrounding this floodplain community on Lulu Island in the Lower Mainland, BC.
• Growth Management and Urban Ecology. 1993. Vol. 2. Urban Habitat Classification. 194 pp.
  • An attempt to highlight urban biodiversity by defining and describing 34 urban habitats.
• Urban Ravines. Vol. 1. Byrne Creek - A Case Study. 1992. 198 pp (with the Real Estate Foundation)
  • A description of the natural, social and geological environment of this ravine in Burnaby, BC.
• Urban Ravines. Vol. 2. B.C. Lower Mainland Urban Ravines Inventory. 1992. 248 pp.
  • An inventory of 140 ravines including general dimensions and a topographic map for each.
• Biodiversity in Greater Victoria. 1992. 126 pp. (with the University of Victoria)
  • A description of urban biodiversity and its value in Greater Victoria, BC. Includes a biodiversity map based on five categories of urban development.
• Sustaining Victoria - Exploring Urban Lifestyle Options. 1991. 272 pp. (with the University of Victoria)
  • An overall review of urban living and its environmental impacts with local examples of more sustainable options.
• Environmental Issues in Greater Victoria. 1991. 190 pp. (with the University of Victoria)
  • A documentation of issues such as air and water quality and liquid and solid waste management.
• Interpreting Nature: A Primer for Understanding Natural History, Vol. 1 1989. 267 pp (with the Greater Vancouver Regional District and Human Resources and Development Canada)
  • A review of plants explaining general anatomy, taxonomy and ecology.
• Interpreting Nature: A Primer for Understanding Natural History, Vol. 2. 1989. 291 pp
  • A review of animal groups explaining general anatomy, taxonomy and ecology.
• Protecting the Environment: What One Person Can Do. 1989. 107 pp.
  • An overview of environmental problems and individual lifestyle choices and alternatives to address them.
• A Nature Guide to Urban Parks. 1987. 217 pp.
  • Brief descriptions with maps of 16 parks in Burnaby, Coquitlam, Belacarra and New Westminster, BC with 4 nature activities for children described for each.
• Belcarra Regional Park: Subtidal and Intertidal Inventory. 1986. 215 pp. (with the Greater Vancouver Regional District and Human Resources and Development Canada)
  • An inventory of subtidal and intertidal plant and animal marine life in this area of Burrard Inlet, BC.
• Biophysical Inventory of Burnaby Lake Regional Park. 1985. 165 pp. (with the Greater Vancouver Regional District and Human Resources and Development Canada)
  • An inventory of terrestrial and emergent vegetation with maps based on original research of this lake in Burnaby, BC.
• The Natural History of New Westminster. 1985. 83 pp.
  • Inventory of 19 sites, not designated as parks, with maps and descriptions intended to enable people to explore nature close to home.
• The Natural Environment of Deer Lake. 1984. 180 pp. (with Environment Canada)
  • A comprehensive description of Deer Lake in Burnaby, BC reviewing both aquatic and terrestrial plant and animal life with original research.

Books and reports are paperback in-house photocopies and cerlox (coil) bound or unibind (plastic cover). City of Surprises is paperback commercially printed with perfect bind.

• Schaefer, V.H. 1994. "Urban Ravines" in: DISCOVERY, 23(3):105-107.
• "Urban Biodiversity" in: Biodiversity in British Columbia,1994.
• "The Institute of Urban Ecology, Douglas College, British Columbia" in: Green Guide: A User's Guide to Sustainable Development in British Columbia, 1992.
• Peacock, A. and Schaefer, V.H. 1990. "A Scuba Survey for an Underwater Park. Part II: Vertical Transacts Through Intertidal and Subtidal Regions" in: DISCOVERY, 19: 62-67.
• Peacock, A. and Schaefer, V.H. 1990. "A Scuba Survey for an Underwater Park. Part I: Initial Observations at 9pm Depth" in: DISCOVERY 19:14-18.
• Schaefer, V.H. 1987. "Environmental Issues in the Lower Mainland "in: DISCOVERY 16(4): 120-125.
• Schaefer, V.H. and Peacock, A. 1986. "The Vegetation of an Urban Park" in: DISCOVERY 15(2): 64-69.
• Schaefer, V.H. 1986. "The Enhancement of Maplewood Mudflats" in: DISCOVERY 15(1): 23-24.
• Schaefer, V.H. 1985. "The Biology of an Urban Lake" in: DISCOVERY14(3): 75-80.

• The Working with Nature series:
  • Native Plants and your Garden
  • Gardening with Balconies
  • Birds in your Backyard
  • Building your own Bird House
  • Bats: Creatures of the Night
  • Benefits of the Blue Orchard Mason Bee
  • Butterfly Gardening
  • Invasive Species
  • Collection and Propagation of Native Plants
  • Hop, leap, or crawl into the Exciting World of Amphibians
• Green Links series:
  • Green Links: Envisioning a City - Home to both People and Nature
  • Burnaby Green Links
  • Coquitlam Green Links
  • Surrey/Delta Green Links
• A Guide to Worm Composting
• Creating a Wildlife Habitat at Home series:
  • Backyard Birds
  • Beneficial Insects for Your Garden
  • Are There Alternatives to Pesticides
• Workshops and Activities Offered By The Institute Of Urban Ecology
• Community Safety Issues
• The City of Surprises: Yaletown Nature Walk
• You Can Help to Save Deer Lake
• Burnaby Lake: Yours to Enjoy and Protect
• Discover Belcarra's Marine Life
• Discover New Westminster's Natural History
• Trail Map of Byrne Creek Ravine
• Douglas College, New Westminster, Tree Walk
• A Street Tree Walk of the Moody Park Area, New Westminster

• Web-based Environmental Land use GIS for the Lower Mainland, BC: Existing Data Spreadsheets
• Creating Bird Habitat in Small Places: A Guide for Balcony, Roof Top, Window Box and Wall Plantings Using Native Plants to Attract Birds
• Native Plant Habitat Restoration: A Guide for Community Plantings
• Tips on Creating Backyard Wildlife Habitat
• Ecological Walking Guide to Surrey/Delta, BC, Utility Corridor
• Safety Audit Guide for Green Spaces

• Natural Pollution Control. (9MB wmv.)
• Greening the Gravel for Fish and Wildlife. 2001. (38 minutes)
• Greening the Gravel. 2000. (28 minutes)
• The redevelopment of Gravel Pits in the City of Coquitlam
• Green Links. 1996. (20 minutes)
• A description of a project to enhance urban biodiversity by strengthening natural connections been urban green spaces
• Urban Ravines: A Hidden Community Asset. 1992. (17 minutes)
• A description of the natural, social and geological characteristics of urban ravines
• Ideas for the Naturalist. 1989. (30 minutes)