Parks and Nature Places Around Vancouver is a guide to the parks of Lower Mainland with special emphasis on natural history. Over forty naturalists with specializations in geology, ecology, botany, ornithology and marine life offer tips on spotting a sandhill crane, directions on where to explore amongst old-growth Douglas fir trees and beautiful western trilliums, and where you might be lucky enough to get a snapshot of a California sea lion. Their expertise transforms barren cliffs into sandstone mysteries millions of years old, boggy ground into crucial habitats for migratory birds and non-descript slime into a puzzling organism displaying both plant and animal characteristics throughout its lifespan. Many of the destinations highlighted in this guide are within the cities of Vancouver or Burnaby but others will take you to the North Shore, as far east as Fort Langley and south to Point Roberts. All are accessible by public transit and transit information is provided for each site. Each park is illustrated with colour photographs and includes directions, maps, transit information, an introduction, a briefing on the natural history of the area, a description of nearby locations, cautionary alerts and references for more information. From salmon streams to alpine mountaintop trails, seashore and woodland trails, tended urban gardens and parks to sandy beaches, fresh water ponds and tidal pools filled with marine life, Parks and Nature Places Around Vancouver is an indispensable guidebook that makes exploring Vancouver's urban wilderness easy and fun.