Naturespaces
A program to enhance and restore green spaces in the City of Vancouver
Ready to make a difference? Join a volunteer event and help care for Vancouver’s parks and natural areas.
Naturespaces brings the community together to reimagine and restore select public spaces across Vancouver, with a focus on preserving and expanding native habitat. Volunteers take part in hands-on, rewarding work that includes:
- Learning which plants are native and which are invasive
- Trimming native trees and bushes
- Adding compost and mulch to make soil healthy
- Pulling out English ivy and other plants that don’t belong
- Planting native plants and giving them new homes
- Building safe spots for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators
Every little bit helps! Healthy homes for nature help bees and wildlife. Strong forests keep our air and water clean. And all this work helps Vancouver handle changes in the weather and climate. When we take care of our own green spaces, we show others how it’s done.
You can also learn new things! Join nature walks, workshops, and planting projects to discover Pacific Northwest plants and animals. You’ll learn how to garden with native plants and make a home for pollinators. Then you can try it in your own yard
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
ICMA Sustainability Award
In 2026, Naturespaces received the Community Sustainability Award from the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).
Community Engagement
- 4,570 volunteer hours
- 1,075 community volunteers
- 11,640 community connections
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
Subscribe to the Naturespaces newsletter above for updates on the program, information about upcoming events and fun natural history facts.