The Maple Ridge Museum is looking for volunteers to clean and preserve the Maple Ridge Cemetery.
Maple Ridge is home to two historical cemeteries that have served the community for about 140 years.
There is the Lee Cemetery in Whonnock that has remained mostly unchanged since its early days as a pioneer cemetery.
Maple Ridge Cemetery was established in 1878 after George Howison and William Nelson donated the land.
Many prominent early European settlers of Maple Ridge were buried here and these older headstones no longer have individuals to care for them.
The Maple Ridge cemetery is a permanent green space that sustains biodiversity, but the graves are are overgrown by grass, plans and invasive species.
The event aims to connect people with nature and local history.
The Cemetery Preservation and Clean-Up takes place from 9 a.m. to noon on July 27 and 28 at 21404 Dewdney Trunk Road, rain or shine.
Volunteers need to bring either rain gear or sunglasses and sunscreen and a hat, sturdy shoes, garden gloves, bug spray and drinking water. If possible bring a bucket with a handle, soft-bristled brush, watering can, knife, trowel or scissors to remove grass, whisk broom, a rag and a kneeling pad.
Participants are also being asked to be as quiet as possible out of respect, not to make marks on the headstones, not to leave garbage, not to climb, lean or hang on the headstones and not to take objects or flowers left at the graves.
Those interested in volunteering can sign up at signup.com/go/ggeapYB or contact the museum at 604-463-5311 or at mrmeventplanner@gmail.com.