Al and Jude Grass are well-known park naturalists and long-time members of the Burke Mountain Naturalists in Coquitlam.
When the couple raised their only child, Danny, he would often accompany them on trail hikes "whether he liked it or not," Jude said.
But as he grew older, Danny grew a strong appreciation for the outdoors and helped his parents as they led tours.
After Danny died in 2003 at the age of 16 due to complications from a heart surgery, Al and Jude Grass wanted to pay tribute to their son by producing a young explorer's guide in his memory.
Next week, Discover Nature in the Tri-Cities will be publicly launched at the Port Coquitlam bank branch that made it happen.
The booklet is the biggest project ever for the Burke Mountain Naturalists, said vice president Christina Saremba who was the project co-ordinator.
With a research team of 11 — plus the initial $5,000 seed grant from Wild Birds Unlimited and the new $5,000 donation from TD Friends of the Environment — Saremba started to get organized.
They hired Dalyce Epp to edit the Grade 5 reading-level copy and Chris Tunnoch to illustrate the flora and fauna at eight Tri-City green spaces that were easy to get to: Belcarra regional, Shoreline Trail, Mundy, Como Lake, Coquitlam River, Hyde Creek, Colony Farm regional and DeBoville Slough.
And the result was a 40-page colour booklet with an overview, maps and drawings of what could be found at the parks along with a glossary, tips on how to explore properly (i.e., walk slow, stop often, get closer) and a checklist.
The team sent a draft to Eagle Mountain middle school, in Anmore, as well as to Port Coquitlam Coun. Laura Dupont, Mossom Creek hatchery co-founder Ruth Foster and select families for feedback. "The focus was on making it friendly for children and for new residents to the Tri-Cities who wanted to find out more about what's in their back yard," Saremba said.
Although only 1,500 copies were produced in the first run, she said online editions can downloaded from the Burke Mountain Naturalists' website (bmn.bc.ca); as well, hard copies will be available at Tri-City library branches at a later date.
Jude Grass said she hopes the guide will be used by School District 43 teachers to get their students familiar with outdoor surroundings and away from screens.
As well, she wants the guide to inspire other Lower Mainland naturalist groups to publish a similar guide for their communities.
Had Danny been alive today to see the guide, "He would've been thrilled. Hopefully, this encourages children to join naturalist groups to take a lead in land stewardship, too," Jude Grass said.
• The book launch for Discover Nature in the Tri-Cities is Thursday, June 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the TD Canada Trust branch (2385 Ottawa St., Port Coquitlam). Up to 125 booklets will be available.
