free the fern
connecting community through environmental stewardship
Removal of Invasive Plants
Working with communities to remove invasive plants within the Champlain Heights area of Vancouver, B.C.
Supporting Growth of
Native Plants
Planting Native species to promote natural forest growth for future generations.
Community Engagement
Engaging the community in working the land, and providing education about invasive and native plant species.
Who we are
Founded in January 2021, Free the Fern Stewardship Society is an environmental nonprofit dedicated to restoring the Champlain Heights Trail System, one of the last remaining native forests in Vancouver, B.C. Canada.
Stewardship
Community volunteers join together to help remove invasive plants and replant native plants along the Champlain Heights Trail system.
Projects
Over the past four years, we have completed a number of projects, including planting the Douglas Fir Teaching Garden and a Food Forest.
Events
We organize a variety of free community events, including invasive pulls, eco-art workshops, native plant walks, lantern festivals and more!
Eco-Arts Fest
Saturday, June 28, 10am-2pm
Join us for our Eco-Arts Festival! The event will begin with a performance by the Coastal Wolf Pack at 10am. We will then have 8 artists who use plants and upcycled material to create art, together with the community. Art will inlcude: weaving, braiding, printmaking, paper pulp making and more! Complimentary bannock & jam will be served throughout the event.
We are grateful for funding support for this event from the City of Vancouver, Vancouver Park Board, and TD Park People Grants.
In March 2025, students from the University of Waterloo conducted a Healing Forest Case Study. See their presentation (below), which provides info on our Free the Fern stewardship effort, including the creation of the Douglas Fir Teaching Garden, and our commitment to reconciliation:
In August 2024, at our Free the Fern Annual General Meeting, our members unanimously voted to approve the following Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy. In 2025, we have committed to making our events more inclusive through our Nature is for Everyone project.
On Oct 21, 2023, community members gathered to plant a Food Forest along the Red Alder Trail in South Vancouver. This event also included a performance by Tsatsu Stalqayu (Coastal Wolf Pack). Check out this video, filmed by Daniel Akinshola:
“I love giving back to the community and being part of the change we see.”
GRACE
“I’ve learned so much about native plants – and am able to identify the difference.”
KIKI
“The fern is my favourite plant.”
VOLUNTEER
Let’s work together
Are you interested to make the Champlain Trails a greener space? Do you want to get involved in the community? Impress your friends with knowledge? Let’s talk.