Charles Paddock is the only zoo on the central coast. The Zoo is home to hundreds of species of animals from around the world. They are dedicated to conserving both exotic and local species of animals, from lemurs to geese.

Vancouver is located in the traditional territory of the Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations, members of the Coast Salish linguistic group. Metro Vancouver has the third-largest urban Indigenous population in Canada with over 52,000 people. These three First Nations have a special spiritual, cultural, and economic connection to the land that goes back more than 8,000 years. Make sure that your trip benefits not only the trendy European restaurants and big businesses but also the smaller businesses owned by indigenous people. Get acquainted with their art and culture, as well as the traditional sustainable land management practices. Destination Vancouver has a list of businesses and cultural institutions related to the First Nations heritage. Indigenous Tourism British Columbia organizes nature tours and experiences in collaboration with over 200 Indigenous communities.

One of the greenest cities in the world, Vancouver is home to countless bird species. Eagles, herons, snow geese, owls, gulls, jays and sandpipers — you can find them all here. Casual watchers and serious ornithologists will enjoy the abundance of bird life in the region. The temperate rainforest, alpine landscapes and waterways bring you a variety of species like nowhere else in the urbanized world. You will be reaching for binoculars even downtown. Stanley Park, Pacific Spirit Regional Park, George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary, the Brackendale community and Boundary Bay are excellent places to see our feathered brethren. Check out the Nature Vancouver webpage for an impressive list of bird-watching spots.