Good morning! It’s Morgan again, I’m in a cheerful mood today because spring is almost here! The flowers are beginning to bloom and the birds are starting to sing.
But as bird nesting seasons begins, it’s important to remain mindful of the impact we as humans can have on our wildlife population. Keep reading to find out more about nesting season, as well as the details of registering for Port Coquitlam’s upcoming spring recreational programs.
Be mindful: Signs have started popping up across Coquitlam’s Deboville Slough to notify hikers and cyclists that bird nesting season has begun. Deboville Slough is a prime location for birding which is why it’s so important we maintain a safe distance and do not enter marked areas.
- Birds Canada: “Birds mostly breed during the warmer months of the year. For many species, if an individual loses a clutch, it won’t nest again until the following season.”
Under protection: Birds, as well as their nest and eggs, are classified as protected under B.C.’s Wildlife Act. It is considered an offence to remove or tamper with a nest. If you manage to spot an injured bird or a baby bird out of it’s nest you can follow the steps laid out by B.C.’s Wildlife Rescue Association.
- Did you know? The B.C. Wildlife Act defines a nest as a structure that was created by a bird in order to house eggs and offspring. Some birds will actually borrow supplies or take over abandoned nests and burrows created by other animals.
Port Coquitlam will be offering in-person recreational programs for children, families, and youth for the spring season. Today at 8 A.M, registration opens up to Port Coquitlam community members. The general public can register beginning Thursday at 11 A.M. Activities range from a crash-course in trail-riding to multi-media art classes!
A year ago: Last spring, the Tri-Cities saw an unfortunate delay of recreational activities due to COVID-19 restrictions. The cities received positive feedback for their online adaption of recreational programs. We are currently in Stage 3 of B.C.’s COVID-19 restart plan – which permits family recreational activities with some COVID-19 restrictions.
Finding community: Isolation and social distancing precautions have made finding community difficult during the pandemic. Recreational activities are important for child and adolescent development. Youth have reported that the cancellation of sports and recreational activities has had a negative impact on their mental health. Hosting recreational activities this year will give children and youth an opportunity to connect and play with one another.
Vaccine access: Port Coquitlam and Coquitlam are currently working with Fraser Health to determine potential locations for mass COVID-19 vaccine sites. Phase 3 of the vaccine rollout – immunizations for the general population – begins in April.
Access to the vaccination will be tiered according to age and vulnerability. Port Coquitlam has named Hyde Creek Recreation Centre as one potential location; Coquitlam has yet to release information on any potential locations.
- City of Coquitlam: “Once those decisions are made, further communication on locations, including the impacts on any City of Coquitlam facilities, will be shared on this page and through other communications channels.”
Out of the loop: Port Moody’s city manager has confirmed that there are currently no plans to host any mass COVID-19 vaccine sites. Some Port Moody community members are upset by this news. Members of the “I Love Port Moody” Facebook group have expressed how they often feel pushed to the side in Tri-Cities decision making processes.
Happening Around Town
- Taste of the Tri-Cities: From now until March 19 restaurants across the Tri-Cities area are being showcased for a local food festival. Check out our featured restaurant below.
- Creating Effective Resumes: Thursday at 3 PM the Coquitlam Public Library is hosting a webinar on resume writing strategies.
- Family Trivia Night: This Thursday at 7 PM the Coquitlam Public Library will be hosting a virtual family-friendly trivia night. This trivia night will feature animal-themed questions.
- DIY Bath & Body Care: This Saturday at 1 PM the Coquitlam Heritage society will be hosting an online workshop on how to create bath products at home. Tickets are $15 and pre-made kits will be available for pickup at Mackin House, 1116 Brunette Ave. Coquitlam, B.C.
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In Other News
- A joint federal and provincial government initiative is allocating $517-million to go towards housing those in vulnerable situations.
- A Port Moody councillor is advocating a ban on new highrise concrete buildings.
- 100 bands and musicians across B.C. have been awarded $1.27-million to help sustain their music careers throughout the pandemic.
- Coquitlam is preparing to introduce electric fire trucks within the next 10 years.
One More Thing
This week is international Celebrate Your Name Week! Whether you go by your given name, or you’ve changed your name over time, this week is a great opportunity to appreciate your own unique title. Apparently “Morgan” means “by the sea” in Welsh! What does your first name mean?
