Love the Land
Porpoise Bay
Discover the ways we can work together to maintain sustainable land-stewardship practices.
Love the Land Adventures in Land-Based Learning and Ethnoecology is a walking tour in North Vancouver, the telmixw (land) of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) and (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. This story starts with an introduction to our Sḵwx̱wú7mesh peoples, waters and ways of living as an ecologically sustainable society.
"Love the Land" is a philosophy and way of life that emphasizes a profound, reciprocal relationship with the Earth. Rooted in Indigenous values in North Vancouver, it represents a deep respect for nature, viewing the land not as property but as a living entity that sustains and connects all beings.
We recognize that these people of the land have worked together in stewardship and management by collaborating and working by effective protocols for thousands of years. We will consider how this beautiful landscape faces climate change and loss of biodiversity and the effects of excessive/extractive harvesting and pollution.
As a generation we are in a unique position and opportunity to come together as a community, both indigenous and settler, to experience, inquire and learn the ethnoecology, of the place we call home.
What to Expect
Love the Land is an invitation to reconnect with place; to walk gently, listen deeply, and remember the living relationships that sustain us.
Guided by a Talaysay Cultural Ambassador, this reflective walking tour explores the teachings of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and shíshálh (Sechelt) peoples, whose stewardship continues to shape these lands and waters. Through story, observation, and dialogue, guests learn how the land itself holds memory; teaching balance, reciprocity, and respect.
Throughout the tour, you’ll explore themes of ecological interconnection: the life cycles of salmon, the restoration of forest gardens, and the vital links between land and water that support all living beings. Each step reveals how traditional Indigenous knowledge guides contemporary understandings of food security, biodiversity, and climate resilience.
This is a slow, conversational experience, blending storytelling, cultural teaching, and quiet reflection. Guests are invited to consider their own place within these systems, and how care for the land begins with attention.
Every Love the Land tour concludes with a cup of Indigenous tea, shared in gratitude and reflection; a moment to pause, connect, and carry the teachings forward.
Where We Meet
We gather at Porpoise Bay Provincial Park, a beautiful coastal setting where forest meets shoreline. Our meeting point is near the interpretive sign by the playground, just steps from the main parking area. From here, we begin our gentle walk through the park’s forested paths and along the beach, where the tides reveal shifting stories of land and sea.
This area offers a rich diversity of plants, birds, and intertidal life, creating opportunities to observe and reflect on the balance between freshwater, saltwater, and the ecosystems that connect them. It’s a peaceful and spacious place, ideal for slowing down and engaging in quiet learning and reflection.
Accessibility: Parking is available near the meeting area, with public washrooms located close by. The walking route follows mostly flat and even terrain with some areas of sand, grass, and small rocks, which may present minor challenges for wheelchairs or mobility aids. Walking sticks or canes can be helpful for additional support.
Before Your Tour
What to Bring
Good walking shoes
Layered clothing - dress for the weather
A water bottle on warm days
A water resistant jacket on rainy days
Weather Information
We operate our tours and programs in the rain.
The company reserves the right to cancel when extreme weather and wind impacts safety.
Guest Protocol
Tours start promptly
Arrive 15 minutes prior to tour start
Late guests or missed tours are not reimbursed
Individual booking cancellation: 48 hours notice prior to tour is required and a 20% administration fee applies
Group booking cancellation: 10 days notice prior to tour is required and a 20% administration fee applies
Cancellations with less than the required notice are 100% non-refundable
