Celebrating Sustainability in Vancouver on Earth Day—and Beyond
Earth Day, taking places April 22, 2025, is a shared global opportunity to come together in support of environmental protection. Even though the event takes place on a single day, it celebrates year-round environmental action. This year focuses particularly on biodiversity, which is crucial for maintaining vibrant ecosystems.
Vancouver, a beautiful city where the natural environment and sustainability are championed, is the perfect destination for those wanting to commemorate Earth Day, every day.
Here are 10 ways to raise your awareness and commitment to sustainability and biodiversity in Vancouver:
One of the best places in the city to learn more about biodiversity is, without a doubt, the Beaty Biodiversity Museum. Located on UBC Vancouver Campus, the museum houses two million specimens organized into six collections, which include the Marine Invertebrate Collection, the Fish Collection, and the Cowan Tetrapod Collection. In addition to permanent exhibitions like Earth Timeline, they also have current exhibitions such as Peatland Mosses: A Printmaking Perspective by Lisa Matthias, which examines the rich microcosm of peatland mosses through the medium of printmaking.
Vancouver has numerous amazing gardens and parks, including VanDusen Botanical Garden and Queen Elizabeth Park. While you’re at UBC visiting Beaty Biodiversity Museum, you can also stop by the UBC Botanical Garden, which, since 1916, has been showcasing BC native trees, plants, and flowers. Visit the BC Rainforest Garden, which includes big-leaf maple trees, Western red cedar trees, and lingonberry. In May, they’ll be hosting Biodiversity Days 2025, with tons of events, such as a Morning Bird Walk (May 3, 9am-11:30am), all May that focus on biodiversity.
Operated by the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, Takaya Tours is an Indigenous eco-tourism enterprise, which aims to educate visitors about local nature and Indigenous culture past and present. They operate two tours, a Culture Canoe Tour and a Split Tour, with canoeing and walking (they run seasonally roughly from April to October). You’ll paddle in a replica traditional canoe in Burrard Inlet, learning about the West Coast ecosystem and Indigenous people’s relationship with its flora and fauna, in addition to songs, legends, and historical information.
The Vancouver Aquarium is particularly proud of its Marine Mammal Rescue, supporting 300 marine mammal emergencies annually. It’s the only facility like it in the nation, which makes it truly special. Make sure to visit their new Marine Mammal Rescue exhibit in which you’ll learn about the important work they do rehabilitating marine animals with the intention of releasing them back into the wild. The animals only stay at the Aquarium if Fisheries and Ocean Canada deem them non-releasable (e.g., due to permanent injury). Featured rescued animals include sea otters, harbour seals, and Californian sea lions.
With views of gorgeous False Creek, Science World is ideal for learning about and appreciating the natural world. Besides tons of permanent and current exhibitions, there are a couple exhibitions that are particularly relevant to Earth Day. The Ken Spencer Science Park reopened to much anticipation last month. This 35,000 square foot outdoor space features all sorts of interactive ways to connect with nature, including a Gardening Robot, “What’s in Your Lunchbox?”, and a Reflection Walk with local plants created in collab with Dr. Leigh Joseph, an ethnobotanist and member of the Squamish First Nation. And be sure to visit the Environmental Trail, exterior to Science World, which includes a bike-lane counter.
Open during the weekends, with expanded hours in July and August, the Nature House in Stanley Park is run by the Stanley Park Ecology Society. It’s found on the southeast shore of Lost Lagoon, and is a great way to learn more about Stanley Park before venturing into it. You’ll find local ecology interactive displays, park wildlife specimens, and nature-themed activities. Plus, park naturalists will be happy to answer your questions regarding the Park’s ecosystem.
The Vancouver Convention Centre, situated on the downtown waterfront, is truly a special facility, which embodies the city’s sustainability ethos. It was the first double LEED Platinum certified convention centre in the world, a designation due to some amazing green innovations, such as a six-acre living roof with 400,000 indigenous plants and grasses on its West building, and the use of local sustainable wood products. You can take a walk along the waterfront to admire the Vancouver Convention Centre, or even stop inside to grab a bite at LOT185, which prioritizes local, seasonal ingredients. They also offer public tours (next one May 6 at 11am) where you’ll get a one-hour walkthrough this incredible green facility.
Vanier Park, with views of Burrard Inlet, is home to the Museum of Vancouver, which currently has exhibitions that showcase traditional Indigenous ecological knowledge. The Museum features Unity Indigenous Plant Garden: A Living Exhibition, created with the Musqueam, Skwxwu7mesh and Tsleil-Waututh Nations; as well as That Which Sustains Us, which considers different communities’ relationships with the natural world and the importance of sustainability.
Breathtaking Lynn Canyon Park features a suspension bridge as well as an Ecology Centre, shaped like a dogwood, BC's provincial flower. The nature museum, which facilitates knowledge about local ecosystems, features temperate rainforest plants in its Plant Gallery, and information about animals like the black bear in the Animal Gallery. The Human Gallery invites you to consider your own impact on the planet and ways you can foster continued biodiversity.
Take the Skyride to the top of Grouse Mountain, where you’ll not only admire incredible views and engage in activities like snowshoeing (check daily conditions and available activities), but you’ll also learn about its natural environment as well as the animals/birds that call it home. The Theatre in the Sky shows numerous eco-friendly films, including one on their Hummingbird Monitoring Program and Extremely Wild, which is about resident orphaned grizzly bears, Coola and Grinder (currently in hibernation). Their Wildlife Refuge hosts Ranger Talks in the summer months.
You can also get to know sustainable transportation in Vancouver as you make your way to these various eco-friendly attractions. TransLink, the regional transportation network, offers many ways of getting around, including buses, the SkyTrain, and the Seabus. Their Trip Planner is helpful in creating the most efficient routes. Cycle rental companies, like Cycle BC Rentals and Yes Cycle, are also great for renting a green way of navigating the city.