Did you know that sweet syrup can be made using sap from maple trees on the West Coast?  Dozens of small family and farm operations all over Vancouver Island and the lower mainland are making Bigleaf Maple syrup.  Tapping season usually begins in November or December.

Every February, the BC Forest Discovery Centre hosts the Bigleaf Maple Syrup Festival to educate the community on the industry and teach people how to tap their own trees and make syrup.

Over 2,000 people tasted West Coast maple syrup and learned how to tap their own trees during the festival on February 7, 2009.  The next festival will take place on Saturday, February 6th, 2010 at the BC Forest Discovery Centre.

Photo Credit:  Bram Lucieer

Visitors on a maple tapping demonstration at the 2009 Bigleaf Maple Syrup Festival