Leaves fall. Newts, toads, frogs, mushrooms and slugs all come out in the rain on their path toward regeneration. The forest quietly goes to sleep to renew in spring. We are so glad you are all here for the journey, Martyn, Heather, Greg and Duncan.

*Mackay Creek trail in Grouse Woods. Photo: Heather Drugge*

If this newsletter and our stories resonate with you and your values, please forward this to a few friends, and suggest they join our email list. We're building a group of like-minded people who want to see the North Shore positively embrace and manage the many changes we face. Thanks, we really appreciate it.

Civic committees looking for people

Volunteering on a municipal committee is a great way to get involved, provide input on important issues, and make a positive contribution to your community. Fall is the time when all three municipalities recruit for the following year. Here are the open opportunities from each muni:

District of North Vancouver

Climate Action Advisory Commitee: Member at Large

City of North Vancouver

*Autumn on Grand Boulevard. Photo: Ghislaine Courcelles*

District of West Vancouver

Stories from betternorthshore.ca

Featured

Missed opportunities for traffic improvements in the District of North Vancouver

DNV keeps paving, but not progressing. Millions spent on fresh asphalt, yet no safer intersections, bike lane connections are full of gaps, and not enough bus-lanes. Just more traffic and time wasted.

We don’t have a traffic problem—we have a political will problem. In 2026, let’s vote for councillors who will actually move the North Shore forward.

Grilled to death: How can we keep our community safe in a sea of mega-trucks?

With oversized vehicles now dominating Canadian sales—and their designs linked to higher rates of pedestrian deaths, especially among children—we need to reassess street design.

Homelessness in North Van: Move along, RV dwellers

As we face an increasing number of people living in their motorhomes, it's crucial to find compassionate solutions that address both public safety concerns and the need for transitional housing. Let's work together to create a community that supports everyone!

Community Events and Opportunities

Brews and Views

🍻A social pub gathering for open conversation on the environment, politics, and building a better future. A few of us from Better North Shore went last time, and it was excellent to get together in real life and meet some other people interested in North Shore politics. Hosted by North Van Federal Greens.

📅 Date: October 21, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

📍 Browns Social House - Lower Lonsdale

🎟️ Free - register here

Help shape North Shore trails with NSMBA

The North Shore Mountain Bike Association is an important group on the Shore. As a volunteer Director, you’ll turn your love of riding and the outdoors into real, on-the-ground impact—sustaining safe, inclusive, and resilient trails for thousands of riders. If you’ve ever thought, “Someone should fix this corner/bridge/signage,” or “It would be great to see a new trail built here!” this is your chance to be that someone. Learn more here

*Roundabout Urban Gardens* *invites you to their Halloween event in Wagg Creek Park*

Get a FREE tree for your street in the District of North Vancouver

Trees shade and cool our livable spaces in the summer, intercept and absorb storm water throughout the year, and sequester carbon from the atmosphere. Ask for a FREE street tree on your boulevard.

The street tree program is part of the district’s effort to expand the benefits of increased green space in our community. It complements the Urban Tree Canopy Project, which offers residents trees and shrubs free of charge to plant on their property.

*Explore stormwater management in Central Lonsdale. Photo: Grin BC*

Learn about green stormwater management

Explore the best of North Vancouver’s green infrastructure on this engaging walking tour! We’ll start at the Loblaws City Market green roof (Lonsdale & 17th Ave.), then stroll north along Lonsdale, stopping to explore rain gardens, street trees, and other stormwater features.

Grin BC is proud to partner with the North Shore Streamkeepers, who will share their experience creating the new rain garden at North Shore Alliance Church. City of North Vancouver staff will also join us to offer insights.

📅 Date: October 21, 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm

📍 Tour starts: Loblaw’s Market, North

✉️ RSVP http://grinbc.org/tours/

*Loutet farm produce. Photo: Ghislaine Courcelles*

Food security, farming and localization workshop

Localizing Food, a workshop about food sovereignty, farming, and localization featuring documentarian Devon Cooke, creator of The Hands that Feed Us. Facilitated by Michelle Sheardown from RegenerateBC. This is part of a series of conversations - Community Climate Connections - held on the first Thursday of the month at the Lynn Valley Library from 1:30 - 3:00.

Community Climate Connections Series

📅 Date: Thursday, Nov. 6 at 1:30 pm

📍 Lynn Valley Library 1277 Lynn Valley Road

Is there life after cars? 😱

Vision Zero Vancouver proudly presents Life After Cars live in Vancouver with The War on Cars hosts Doug Gordon and Sarah Goodyear, and Vancouver City Councilor Lucy Maloney.
https://visionzerovancouver.ca/2025/08/01/life-after-cars/

📅 Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025 6:30 pm doors, 7:00 start
💰Cost: $35, discount $15 tickets available if cost is a barrier - send an email contact@visionzerovancouver.ca
📍Venue: Djavad Mowafaghian Cinema, Goldcorp Centre for the Arts - 149 West Hastings St.

Are you up for the Live Net Zero Challenge?

Win up to $10,000 in cash prizes! (by 15 Nov)
Households across Canada are rising to the challenge to live more sustainably, reduce their carbon footprints and inspire others to do the same. With the Household Challenge, you can win big as you complete sustainable living actions, share your story and spark action nationwide. Students and educators can join the Classroom Challenge for additional cash prizes. Enter by November 15, 2025 for your chance to win – and spread the word. Get started at LiveNetZero.org.

Exploring Livability: Public Art

Public artworks serve as gathering points and landmarks that define a sense of place and shared identity. They make a place more interesting. From the striking murals in Shipyards district to sculptures, these works reflect the diverse stories and values of the North Shore —including Indigenous heritage, maritime history, and environmental consciousness. Public spaces are not just functional; they are places where creativity, expression, and shared values flourish. Meet you by ‘the camel’ on Lonsdale.

*Tree frog in Moodyville Park. Photo: Heather Drugge.*

*Bears playing at Lynn Valley Center. Photo: Heather Drugge*

*Crows along the pathway in High Place Park. Photo: City of North Vancouver*

*Tide clock at the Seabus. Photo: City of North Vancouver*

*Welcome poles outside the new Paul Meyers tower at Lions Gate Hospital. Photo: Heather Drugge*

*Bigfoot Ambleside/Dundarave. Photo: Ghislaine Courcelles*

Where on the shore?

*The first person to send us an email with the location of this majestic tree, or the correct species, will receive a Better North Shore T-shirt. (Past winners are ineligible)* *hello@betternorthshore.ca*
*Photo: Heather Drugge*

Want to get more involved with Better North Shore? We’ve created a private chat server—a safe space to organize, exchange ideas, and work on making the North Shore better. If you’d like to get more involved, please join our Discord server. Join using this invite link.

If this newsletter and our stories resonate with you and your values, please forward this to a few friends, and suggest they join our email list. We're building a group of like-minded people who want to see the North Shore positively embrace and manage the many changes we face. Thanks, we really appreciate it. Heather, Duncan, Greg and Martyn.

October 2025 on the Shore