Naturespaces
A program to enhance and restore green spaces in the City of Vancouver
Naturespaces brings the community together to help restore and enhance select sites within the Vancouver parks system with a focus on preserving and expanding native habitat. Naturespaces volunteers participate in in impactful, satisfying and fun hands-on activities that support the natural environment including:
- Identifying and inventorying native and invasive plants
- Pruning native plants and trees
- Amending soils with compost and mulch
- Removing invasive English ivy and other unwanted plants
- Planting or rehoming new native and beneficial plants
- Creating habitat features for pollinators
Naturespaces helps expand and enhance Vancouver’s green spaces to support pollinators, wildlife, and healthy urban forests while protecting clean air and water.
Through nature walks, workshops, and community stewardship projects, Naturespaces offers opportunities to learn about Pacific Northwest plants, wildlife, native gardening, and habitat design.
Everyone can make a difference. Join a volunteer event to help care for local parks and natural areas, or learn how to create climate-resilient, pollinator-friendly landscapes in your own yard.
Visit the Volunteer Calendar to explore upcoming events and find ways to get involved.
Upcoming events, opportunities, and resources
Volunteer Events
Upcoming
The City of Vancouver offers many ways to get involved and make a difference in our community. Naturespaces volunteer projects take place throughout the year in parks and public spaces across the city. Visit the City of Vancouver’s Volunteer Calendar to explore upcoming one-day projects, sign up to volunteer, and help care for Naturespaces and other community spaces.
Educational Events & Resources
Resources
Pollinator Partnership Bee Friendly Garden Resources Gardens | Pollinator.org
Vancouver Bee Project Meadowscaping How to Meadowscape — Vancouver Bee Project
Washington Native Plant Society Leaving the Leaves Leaving the Leaves, and Logs, and Stems – WNPS Blog – Botanical Rambles
WSU Extension Master Gardeners Master Gardeners | Clark County | Washington State University
Xerces Pollinator Resources Pollinator Conservation Resources: Pacific Northwest Region | Xerces Society
Xerces Native Plant directory Native Plant, Seed and Services Directory | Xerces Society
Xerces Pollinator Friendly Parks Guide Pollinator-Friendly Parks | Xerces Society
Annual and upcoming educational events
Summer – Art and Nature in the Park
Spring – Flora and Fauna Fridays
Fall – Native Plant &Seed Giveaway by Vancouver Bee Project
June 26, 2027 Vancouver Pollinator Festival
Where to find Naturespaces
Naturespaces sites are selected on an annual basis each summer.
Current Naturespaces Sites
- Oakbrook Community Park
- The Downs Neighborhood Park
- Countryside Woods Neighborhood Park
- Behrens Woods Urban Nature Area
- Sam Brown undeveloped park
- Marshall CHAMPS park sensory space
- Grandmother Camus Median at E Fourth Plain Blvd and St Johns Blvd
- Campus Community Garden Meadow
- 13th Street Median
- Shumway Neighborhood Park east side landscape bed
- Homestead Neighborhood Park southwest landscape bed
- Water Resources Education Center east riparian zone
Future Naturespaces Sites
- Raymond E. Shaffer Community Park
- Franklin Park replanting
- Clearmeadows entrance landscape
- Ellsworth East Urban Natural Area
- David Douglas Park landscape
- Covington House landscape
- My Park Neighborhood Park
Naturespaces Accomplishments (2022-2025)
Biodiversity Impacts
- 8,221 native and pollinator-friendly plants installed
- 400 cubic yards of invasive plants removed
- 781 cubic yards of soil building mulch spread
Community Engagement
- 4,570 volunteer hours
- 1,075 community volunteers
- 11,640 community connections
Subscribe to the Naturespaces newsletter above for updates on the program, information about upcoming events and fun natural history facts.