Events

Join us at the Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust’s Starcliff Nature Reserve where we’re stewarding the property’s natural habitat. For this event, we’ll first continue our efforts at controlling the spread of the aggressively invasive garlic mustard plant; and then in a combined effort to (1) maintain the walking trail and (2) restore the areas where garlic mustard is being removed, we’ll transplant plants (shrub and tree seedlings, herbaceous species) to the weeded sections.

• All tools and equipment will be provided;
• Please wear closed-toe shoes or hiking boots and dress appropriately for the weather (unless thunder and lightning is forecasted within 2 hours of the event, we volunteer rain or shine!);
• Water and a snack will be available; and
• For complete details, including directions, please RSVP by sending an email to ontario@arocha.ca.

2012 Birdwatch – 8:00 am

Meet at the A Rocha Brooksdale Environmental Centre at 8:00 am, Mon. May 21st.

The Birdwatch is for beginner and expert birders alike. This year Lower Mainland residents can join us at five locations in the Little Campbell River Watershed, then return to Brooksdale to tally the birdcounts. Bring a bag lunch. Drinks will be provided.

For more information contact british.columbia@arocha.ca

Spring Festival & Native Plant Sale – 1:00 pm

Join us, this Victoria Day Monday, for a guided naturalist walk of the Little Campbell River portion of the Brooksdale Environmental Centre, site tours, conservation themed public talk (with Mike Pearson a local biologist), native plant sale at The River Tree Store and more family friendly activities like hayrides, face painting and live music.

This year, kids can participate in Surrey’s Environmental Extravaganza program (kids get a passport and stamps at different events over the month of May). Also, the theme for this year is Survivors–Mike Pearson will be highlighting species at risk in the Lower Mainland and A Rocha will be showcasing our conservation efforts on species at risk in the Little Campbell River watershed.

Feel free to bring dessert treats ready to share.

Dress for the weather – the event will be rain or shine.

For more information contact british.columbia@arocha.ca

This free and open opportunity is for anyone who is interested in helping with our yearly beach survey, looking at intertidal creatures and their habitats at the mouth of the Little Campbell River. There is also opportunity to help out at other beach sites around Semiahmoo Bay.

Where? Meet at West Beach Boat Ramp, 14500 Blk., Marine Drive, White Rock

Great opportunity for school groups!

May 5 to September 6 – Milne Hollow – Thursdays, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Join us as we partner weekly with the City of Toronto’s Natural Environment and Community Programs section in leading the Community Stewardship Program’s Milne Hollow Team. Milne Hollow is a Toronto wetland adjacent to one of Canada’s most congested expressways: the Don Valley Parkway; and much needed in one one of the nation’s most ecologically degraded waterways. We’ll be planting herbaceous plants, woody ones (shrubs and trees), controlling the spread of invasive species, maintaining recently planted areas, monitoring water chemistry, pollinators and the success of previous plantings, and… witnessing a lot of wildlife in this recently created “natural” refuge.
• All tools and equipment will be provided.
• Please bring water, wear boots or closed-toe shoes and dress appropriately for the weather.
• If you haven’t participated in a previous orientation to the City’s Community Stewardship Program, please plan to join us at Riverdale Farm during the evening of Tuesday, May 3.
• Volunteering weekly through the season is ideal but if you can only participate once or twice, you’re more than welcome!
• You may also be interested in bringing a group, such as from a church, campus club, or high school or postsecondary class. InterVarsity Christian Fellowship blessed us last year with 24 very appreciated volunteers!
• Please RSVP by sending an email to paul.abell@arocha.ca. You can also call him at 647-969-0259.

Come lend a hand, find the perfect native plant for your garden and then enjoy a free, local meal!

Join us rain or shine Saturday, May 12th to help with special projects at A Rocha’s Brooksdale Environmental Centre. Our native plant nursery will also be stocked with new and colourful plants for sale for the gardening season (read more).

10:00am – Work begins
12:30pm – A Rocha Centre tour
1:00pm – Free lunch for volunteers
2:30pm – Native plant sale ends

To RSVP or arrange for large groups, please email british.columbia@arocha.ca or call 604.542.9006

Please enjoy browsing the newly renovated River Tree Store! Also, special offer discount on plantable wildflower seed coasters (0.50 cents each).

A Rocha is participating in the Surrey’s Great Salmon Run – a way to raise awareness and resources for conservation work in Surrey.

We are encouraging friends of A Rocha to run for the cause of conservation in Surrey. You can even get pledges for your run and the money goes directly to A Rocha. You can register & pledge below.

The goals of the “Great Salmon Run” are to increase community awareness, participation and support in Surrey’s volunteer organizations and to spark an interest in the general public to interact with and care for the watersheds that they reside within. “Surrey’s Great Salmon Run will bring the community together in Tynehead Regional Park to celebrate our freshwater fish habitat and our volunteer supporters that we’re so fortunate to have in our city,” says Mayor Dianne Watts.

How you can help:

• register to run and gather pledges for your run
• recruit others to participate
• make a pledge to support A Rocha
• cheer on the runners the day of the event
• bring visitors by A Rocha’s booth on location at Tynehead Regional Park

Support Your Salmon Stewards – Register Today!

For more information on the run and the Salmon Stewardship Groups it supports, please visit www.surrey.ca/greatsalmonrun

Event Day Schedule

9:15am – Shuttle service from North Surrey Secondary starts**
9:30am – Package Pickup / Late Registration Open
10:30am – 5km / 8km events start
11:30am – Kids’ Dash ‘n Splash starts
11:00am – BBQ starts
10:00am-3:00pm – Activities for runners and public
3:30pm – Shuttle service back to North Surrey Secondary ends**

**North Surrey Secondary is located at 96 Ave and 160 St

All event info located on the City of Surrey’s website (Click here).

Register Here. Pledge Support for a Runner.

Use code rocha-5off for $5 off!

Are you excited about following Christ and caring for creation?  The Earthkeeping Institutes are a chance to learn more and go deeper!  Join us for a weekend of biblical teaching, discussion, sharing meals, and hands-on environmental stewardship.  Bring home a new perspective and new practices to care for creation in your own backyard.

Food and Faith: Eating as Earthkeeping

July 6 – 9, 2012

This summer’s Earthkeeping Institute offers four full days of exploring diverse ways in which food links us to Creation and to the life of faith. Theory and praxis will come together as we go from morning bible studies into the garden to get our hands dirty and into the kitchen to prepare meals together. Participants will engage with all aspects of ‘food’ during the course – growing, weeding, harvesting, preparing, cooking, and most vitally – enjoying! We will explore not only the theological and practical but also the social, cultural, historical, and agricultural dimensions of food. Join us as we learn to live more faithfully as good stewards of our food.

Costs

(Includes 3 nights of accommodation, 4 days of garden-fresh meals, teaching, hands on activities, time for reflection, and an unforgettable experience)

Guest House: $450 (for shared accommodation in the guesthouse – space is limited)
Camping: $375 (participants will provide their own camping equipment)
Commuter: $300 (does not include accommodation)

Location

A Rocha’s Brooksdale Environmental Centre is a beautiful heritage estate made up of pasture, gardens, and trails alongside the Little Campbell River. It’s a unique setting that makes for a restorative and unforgettable experience. For information and photos please browse our website and Click here for address and map.

REGISTER NOW

Click here to be taken to a registration page.  Online payment should be made upon registration online or call 604.542.9022 to pay by phone or email us if you are mailing in a cheque.

All God’s Creatures: Biodiversity, Species at Risk, and Care for Creation

October 26 – 28, 2012

Our Fall Earthkeeping Institute will highlight some of the ongoing work of A Rocha in the Little Campbell River Watershed to protect species at risk within the wider framework of global biodiversity. We are called to care for the diversity of our local ecology within the context of a biblical framework of God’s love and care for all creation. Participants will spend the weekend in our guesthouse participating in morning bible studies, spending afternoons exploring the watershed and enjoying community meals in between.

Costs

Includes 2 nights of accommodation, garden-fresh meals, teaching, hands on activities, time for reflection, and a great experience

Guest House: $350 (for shared accommodation)
Commuter: $250

Location

A Rocha’s Brooksdale Environmental Centre is a beautiful heritage estate made up of pasture, gardens, and trails alongside the Little Campbell River. It’s a unique setting that makes for a restorative and unforgettable experience. For information and photos please browse our website and Click here for address and map.

REGISTER NOW

Click here to be taken to a registration page.  Online payment should be made upon registration online or call 604.542.9022 to pay by phone or email us if you are mailing in a cheque.

Are you interested in hopeful earthkeeping in a world of ecological wounds?

Come to BCIT to hear Rick Faw, A Rocha Canada’s Education Director address this topic.

Speaker Bio:
A Rocha Canada’s Education Director, Rick Faw, combines academic backgrounds in science and theology with a love for the outdoors. He wants people to integrate Christian discipleship and the created world in tangible, substantive, hopeful ways. He works alongside schools, theological colleges, churches, and community groups to coordinate adult education in a variety of forms including lectures, classes, conferences, and outdoor excursions. He lives in Surrey, BC with his wife, Crista, and their two children.

Where? BCIT

Come visit our ACC Club and the A Rocha
(Christian Environmental Group) displays in the
south side in the Great Hall SE2 10:30am-2:30pm

Presented by your BCITSA Campus Christian Ministries Club (CCM) www.bcitccm.net.ms

Come visit the A Rocha booth at MissionsFest or even help us host at the booth. Email Ontario@arocha.ca for more information.

This is the largest missions conference in central Canada serving the GTA, Ontario and beyond. It’s goal is for equipping you with the truth of what God is doing right here and around the world. MissionFest has programming for all ages –Children, Youth, Men, Women and Singles, as well as free seminars and workshops. Be encouraged to pursue and engage in God’s call for your life!

We have great prices and a wide selection of native plants for your garden!  Also included is an optional tour at 12:30 of our Brooksdale Centre property (located on 16th Ave & 192nd St in South Surrey).  Plant sale times for both days: 10 AM – 2:30 PM.

When?
Saturday April 14th from 10:00am – 2:30pm
Saturday May 12th from 10:00am – 2:30pm

Where?
A Rocha’s Brooksdale Environmental Centre

19353 16th Ave

Surrey, BC V3S 9V2

What?
Variety of native plants like….

Pacific Rhododendron
Huckleberry
Blueberry
Coastal Strawberry
Maidenhair fern
Deer fern
Bleeding Heart
Oregon Grape
Indian Plum
Oregon Iris
Lupine
Pacific Dogwood
Vine Maple