News Flash

Coquitlam is teaming up with Stanley Park Ecology (SPE) to offer a free information session on how to live harmoniously with our urban coyote population.

COQUITLAM, B.C., November 27, 2025 – Coquitlam is teaming up with Stanley Park Ecology (SPE) to offer a free information session on how to live harmoniously with our urban coyote population.

Why Attend?

Coyote sightings are typical in communities adjacent to forested and natural areas, with recent observations reported in the Noons Creek and Burke Mountain neighbourhoods. Coyote breeding season runs from January to April, which means they are more vocal and visible throughout the winter and early spring.

During this time, coyotes will be active as they establish and defend their territories. Residents may hear more howling and yipping as coyotes communicate with one another, and it's not uncommon to spot coyotes out and about as they search for mates.

Understanding how to minimize potential conflicts between coyotes, humans and pets is essential to ensure the safety of our community and our urban wildlife. Coyotes play a crucial role in maintaining a balanced ecosystem by helping to control rodent populations and other wildlife.

Register for a Free Information Session

Led by Rose Wilkin, Urban Wildlife Programs Coordinator from Stanley Park Ecology, the one-hour session will cover:

• Coyote breeding behaviours
• Common myths and misconceptions surrounding urban coyotes
• How to respond if you encounter a coyote
• Tips for managing attractants to reduce coyote interactions

This session is open to all ages, and we encourage everyone to participate and learn how to coexist safely with our areas remarkable wildlife.

Registration:

For more information, visit coquitlam.ca/UrbanWildlife and register using the online form.

• Date: Sunday, December 14
• Time: 3 – 4 p.m.
• Location: Virtual via Zoom

About Stanley Park Ecology

Stanley Park Ecology (SPE) – a registered charity since 1988 – began as the Stanley Park Zoological Society. Following the closure of the Park’s petting zoo in 1995, the society revised its name but continued with its aims of education, conservation and outreach programs.

Living Smart with Urban Wildlife

Surrounded by parks and green spaces, Coquitlam is home to a variety of wildlife, including bears, coyotes, deer, and other animals that sometimes travel through residential communities in search of food or shelter. Living on nature’s doorstep means we must learn to safely share our neighbourhoods with these animals. By managing attractants like unsecured garbage and fruit trees, we can help prevent human-wildlife conflict and support safe coexistence with our urban wildlife. Visit coquitlam.ca/UrbanWildlife for more information.

Media contact: Julie KanyaManager, Environmental Education and Enforcementepw@coquitlam.ca604-927-3500

We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.

Coquitlam Fire/Rescue is sharing safety tips and reminders to help protect your home and family.

COQUITLAM, B.C., November 26, 2025 – With winter holidays approaching and colder, longer evenings, Coquitlam Fire/Rescue is sharing safety tips and reminders to help protect your home and family.

• Lights and electrical safetyUse only CSA-approved light sets and do not overload circuits. Inspect lights before use and discard any that are frayed or damaged. When installing outdoor lights, use proper clips instead of staples, and remember to turn lights off before leaving home or going to bed.
• Heating appliancesEnsure furnaces, gas fireplaces, chimneys, and space heaters are in good working condition. Keep portable heaters at least one metre away from flammable materials. 
• CandlesChoose battery-operated flameless candles as a safer alternative. If you use open-flame candles, never leave them unattended. 
• Cooking safetyCooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and injuries. Stay in the kitchen and pay attention while cooking — never leave it unattended. 
• Carbon monoxideInstall a carbon monoxide alarm in a central location, following manufacturer's instructions. Often called the silent killer, carbon monoxide is an invisible, odourless, colourless gas created when fuels burn incompletely. A buildup in your home can cause serious illness or be fatal. 
• Smoke alarmsInstall working smoke alarms on every level of your home and ensure that all family members recognize its sound. Smoke alarms save lives — and they make great gifts!
• Christmas treesWith fresh-cut trees, choose one with needles that are firmly attached. Make a fresh cut off the bottom, place the trunk in water, refill the water daily and keep the tree at least one metre away from heat sources. If your tree is artificial, be sure that it is fire retardant.
• Emergency escape planEnsure your family has an emergency escape plan with clear routes to get out of your house. Review the plan together and practice at least two ways out of every room, if possible. 

For more information, visit coquitlam.ca/SeasonalSafety. 

Media contact:

Scott YoungCoquitlam Fire ChiefFireRescue@coquitlam.ca604-927-6400

We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.

Coquitlam is developing a new Urban Forest Management Strategy that takes a fresh, practical approach to protecting and enhancing the City’s trees and natural spaces as the community continues to grow.

COQUITLAM, B.C., November 26, 2025 – Coquitlam is developing a new Urban Forest Management Strategy that takes a fresh, practical approach to protecting and enhancing the City’s trees and natural spaces as the community continues to grow.

When complete, the Strategy will aim to support Coquitlam’s broader goals of environmental sustainability, livability and climate resilience by helping ensure the City’s trees continue to thrive for generations to come.

A Rooted Approach to Urban Forest Management

Founded in research and supported by community input, the Strategy will focus on actions the City can control to protect and grow the urban forest in achievable and measurable ways, including:

• Strengthening tree planting, stewardship and community involvement across Coquitlam: Introducing a greater diversity of tree species and sizes onto City property, exploring creative planting solutions in high-density areas and on school property through partnership agreements, and inspiring residents to plant and care for trees through education, incentives and volunteer programs.
• Expanding tree replacement requirements city-wide and introducing a cash-in-lieu system: Applying consistent tree replacement standards across all developments, and allowing developers to contribute funds when on-site planting isn’t possible, which will generate new resources to support tree planting, education, and maintenance throughout the city.
• Prioritizing incentives and education over new tree regulations: Maintaining Coquitlam’s current Tree Management Bylaw while expanding incentive and education programs to encourage more tree planting on private property and keep administrative requirements simple for residents. 

Rather than set an arbitrary tree canopy target, Coquitlam has opted instead for a flexible approach that reflects the reality of a growing and densifying community – particularly given new provincial housing requirements for more homes and density in existing neighbourhoods. The goals of the Urban Forest Management Strategy will balance housing needs with environmental sustainability while ensuring trees remain a defining and valued part of the community.

Research Finds Strong Roots with Room to Grow 

Early research found that Coquitlam’s urban forest is in good overall health. The tree canopy cover, defined as the percentage of land covered by trees when viewed from above, is about 52% overall and 33% within the urban area, which is above the regional average of 31%. This strong result reflects years of City investment in parks, green corridors and tree planting programs such as Tree Spree, which has added 5,000 to 10,000 new trees each year since 2022.

The study also identified areas for improvement, including:

• Expanding tree species diversity to make the forest more resilient to pests, disease and climate change.
• Creating better data and inventories of trees on City property to help make better decisions about potential areas for planting, or assessments of tree conditions.
• Increasing City-wide long-term planning for tree planting beyond individual development projects.
• Providing incentives and funding tools to support tree planting on both public and private land.

The results of the research will be considered alongside community input to develop a draft Urban Forest Management Strategy unique to Coquitlam.

What We Heard from the Community

Public engagement took place in the spring of 2024. The results showed that Coquitlam residents care deeply about trees and green spaces. The community highly values the urban forest and the role it plays in community health and livability. 

In the survey feedback, participants shared concerns about the pressures of climate change, housing densification and the loss of trees as neighbourhoods redevelop. Many participants said they want to see more trees planted, stronger protection for existing trees and more opportunities to get involved in tree planting and stewardship in the community.

Read the full What We Heard report at LetsTalkCoquitlam.ca/UrbanForest. 

Next Steps

The early findings will be shared with the community and advisory committees in the coming months. A draft Urban Forest Management Strategy will be presented to Council in early 2026, followed by public review before the final Strategy is considered for adoption later that year.

Media contact:Wendy WiederickManager Urban Forestry604-927-6300parks@coquitlam.ca  

We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.

City crews will be completing maintenance work at the City Centre Sanitary Pump Station. Southbound traffic will be limited to a single lane along Lougheed Hwy between Dewdney Trunk Rd and the Coquitlam Bus Loop on November 26, between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

What: Underground Utility Work

Where: Lougheed Highway at City Centre Sanitary Pump Station; located south of CPR Overpass between Dewdney Trunk Road and the Coquitlam Bus Loop (Location Map)

When: Wednesday, November 26,  between the hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (weather dependent).

Traffic Impacts: During active construction, southbound traffic will be limited to a single lane in this section of Lougheed Highway adjacent to the pump station. In addition, the multi-use pathway (MUP) on the west side will be closed. Pedestrian and MUP users will be detoured to the east side of Lougheed Highway. Please plan an alternate route to avoid delays or plan extra time when using this route.

Travel with caution through construction zones, watch for work crews and equipment, and obey all traffic personnel and signs, including construction speed limits. Thank you for your patience.

For more information, contact:Engineering and Public Works - Customer Service604-927-3500epw@coquitlam.ca

North Rd and Tyndall St between Como Lake Ave and Jefferson St will be fully closed starting 6 a.m. on Saturday, November 29 to 1 a.m. on Sunday, November 30 for a large concrete pour related to the development at 803 North Rd. Please use alternate route.

What: Large Concrete Pour (Development Site at 803 North Road)

Where: North Road and Tyndall Street, between Como Lake Avenue and Jefferson Avenue (Location Map)

When: 6 a.m. on Saturday, November 29 to 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 30

Traffic Impacts: North Road and Tyndall Street, between Como Lake Avenue and Jefferson Avenue, will be fully closed and traffic will be detoured. In addition, traffic will be reduced to single lane in each direction along Como Lake Avenue between Clarke Road and North Road.  Please plan an alternate route to avoid delays or plan extra time when using this route.

Travel with caution through construction zones, watch for work crews and equipment, and obey all traffic personnel and signs, including construction speed limits. Thank you for your patience.

For more information, contact:Engineering and Public Works - Customer Service604-927-3500epw@coquitlam.ca