On Oct 8, 2025, a number of Free the Fern allies spoke to Vancouver City Council in support of the Motion: Protect the Champlain Heights Forest Trail Network for Future Generations and Residents.
The motion had been brought forward by Vancouver Greens Councillor Pete Fry. A month prior, he had taken a walk along our local trails, guided by Free the Fern Executive Director and a number of board directors. At the end of the walk Pete made a commitment to do what he could to protect the local trails. He followed through by drafting this motion.
On Oct 8, Elder Marge Wylie of the Tl’azt’en Nation, Rita Point Kompst of the Musqueam nation, Dr. Anna Hippman, registered Nurse Christine Nombrado, joined Free the Fern Executive Director, Grace Nombrado, at City hall to speak to council. Free the Fern board secretary, Barbara Lane, also came as a witness to the motion.
It was a long, nearly 7 hours wait, until Motion 3 to protect the trails was presented in Council. Free the Fern made sure all speakers had snacks, drinks, and lunch provided to them as they waited. Rita Point Kompst also invited others to braid friendship bracelets, using wool she had dyed with mushrooms and lichen.
Finally, at nearly 5pm, our motion was presented. Elder Marge Wylie was the first speaker, sharing her connection to the trails as a space of healing after her history as a residential school survivor. Following which, Rita Point Kompst, shared how important it is to her, as a cedar weaver and natural dyer, to have places to harvest native plants. Next, Executive Director, Grace Nombrado, shared about Free the Fern’s stewardship effort along the trails. Following which, registered nurse and artist, Christine Nombrado, shared about the physical and mental health benefits of the trails. Dr. Anna Hippman, who had brought SFU students to the trail, shared more details about the benefits of forested spaces. Other speakers then called in to share support for our local trails. As a last minute suprise, Metis herbalist and educator, LoriAnn Bird, arrived to speak on behalf of all our kin, animals, insects, and plants included.
Folowing the speakers, several council members spoke up to share their support for the motion. After which, Mayor Ken Sim, suprised everyone by sharing that from 1979-1982 he was a resident of our Champlain Heights neighbourhood. He recalled fond memories of collecting tadpoles, raising them in his elementary class, and then releasing them in, what is now called, Everett Crowley Park. Because of these positive childhood memories in nature, he “enthusastically supports this motion”.
When the motion went to a vote, it passed unanimously! Everyone was overcome with joy and many hugs were shared (including with Councillor Pete Fry who made the motion). Grace also thanked the Mayor for sharing his childhood memories and voting in support of the motion. “Now,” she shared, “even more children will have a chance to connect with nature”.
As a result of this motion, city staff will have to make a report on protecting the trails and potentially designating the trail system as a park. The city will also have to support Free the Fern Stewardship Society and other stewardship efforts along the trails.
We hope this is the beginning of many good things to come for our beautiful trail system.