Comox Valley Nature is pleased to welcome Bryan Walwork, who will give a presentation of photographs from a recent Natural History Trip to Costa Rica. Walwork’s intense two-week trip was designed for the naturalist. The trip leader, Dr. Keith Wade taught biology, ecology and bio-geography at Capilano University for thirty nine years. A very knowledgeable Costa Rican guide accompanied the group throughout the trip. The combined experience of these two leaders resulted in fabulous animal and bird sightings, which Bryan was able to photograph.
With over 900 species of birds and a mixture of habitats, Costa Rica is a Mecca for birdwatchers. For them, Bryan’s bird photos will probably be the highlight of his presentation, but there is plenty of other wildlife to be seen in this show. From the large to the small, Bryan likes to photograph it all!
Bryan Walwork developed an interested in photography at a young age when he learned to develop and print in the darkroom. Over the years, his photography has evolved to cover a wide range of subjects and he has embraced new technologies in the process. A self-described generalist, he enjoys photographing a broad range of subjects. He uses photography as a means to share the natural world, exotic places and the intriguing things he has seen abroad and at home in Canada.
Since his retirement to the Comox Valley in 2002, Bryan has been sharing his knowledge and techniques by conducting workshops and photo sessions in his private studio. He is a member of the Comox Valley Photographic Society, the Canadian Association for Photographic Art (CAPA), the Comox Valley Naturalist Society (and their photography group) and the Comox Valley Shooters. Walwork’s lecture, entitled: “A Natural History Adventure in Costa Rica; A photographic presentation” will take place at the Florence Filberg Seniors Centre at 7pm (sharp) April 17, 2016.
Comox Valley Nature is a non-profit society affiliated to BC Nature consisting only of unpaid volunteers. CVN fulfills its educational mandate by hosting monthly lectures, organizing free weekly guided hikes for members, and a free monthly walk open to the public. The society also undertakes a variety of environmental projects. Aside from its main activity as a non-profit, Comox Valley Nature also supports specialized groups (Birding, Botany, Conservation, Garry Oak Restoration, Wetland Restoration, Photography and Young Naturalists) all of which have separate monthly activities.
Membership in BC Nature and Comox Valley Nature is $30 per adult and $40 for a family. Founded in 1966, it is one of the oldest environmental societies on the North Island. Meetings and lectures of the Comox Valley Naturalists Society are held on the third Sunday of most months at the Florence Filberg Centre, 411 Anderton, Courtenay. Meetings and guided walks are open to the public, including children and youth.
Lecture is free, though a $4 contribution from non-members is appreciated. New memberships are always welcomed.
CVN Facebook Posts
Be a tree tourist in your own hometown!The nomination period for CVN’s Trees of the Year 2024 event ended on March 31. Once again we’ve seen how passionate and observant you, our community members, are about the trees around us in both our urban and rural environments. This year, you nominated 27 trees to celebrate, including specimens of 11 different species.
Take this opportunity to join us on April 27th, from 12:30 to 2:30pm, for this 5km walk around some of the beautiful and interesting trees around Comox.
Tree experts, Karen Cummins and Verna Mumby are leading this 2 hour tour, visiting more than 20 trees nominated this year as well as others from past years!
Comox location. Details when you register. Limited numbers – register early
This is a FREE walk for the general public. Donations are welcome.
To join the waitlist or cancel your reservation email;
🌸 On Friday April 26th at 1.00pm join an experienced Naturalist for a walk around the Courtenay River Airpark. Learn about the history of the park, and how this once neglected space has become one of the most popular walking spots in the Comox Valley.🌸You'll see native plants such as Red Flowering Currant and Garry Oak. The park is also a favoured spot for birding, with migrant and resident birds benefiting from the diverse plant life that now edges the estuary.
🌸All this is a result of the ongoing habitat restoration work, carried out by a dedicated team of volunteers, led by Frank Hovenden
🌸 Book early to reserve your spot, at comoxvalleynaturalist.bc.ca/events/
🌸For more information, to add your name to the waitlist or to cancel your reservation please email
Great news!!📣 The company taking apart derelict vessels in Union Bay, B.C., K’ómoks First Nation territory, has been hit with a pollution abatement order from the province!Kudos to the groups that championed the issue such as @K’ómoks First Nation, @NGOShipbreakingPlatform , Concerned Citizen of Baynes Sound and many individuals who worked hard organizing action.
Hopefully this will put an end to the containments from the ship-breaking site harming fish habitats and local communities!
As a recent CBC article explains, “Deep Water Recovery is illegally allowing toxic effluent to run off into Baynes Sound and the marine environment off Vancouver Island's east coast, B.C.'s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy has found.
Discharges from the ship-breaking operations are collected in sump pits, which occasionally overflow with untreated effluent, the province says. Testing of that runoff confirmed high concentrations of pollutants, including copper, iron, zinc and cadmium.
The ministers said provincial government is doing what it can to enforce regulations and respond to concerns in areas under its jurisdiction, but they said they "remain very concerned that Canada is not actively regulating and communicating your regulatory actions in the marine environment."
Hope you can look up the article and read more!
➡️ If you want to take more action to keep derelict vessels from polluting the water, head to our website and join us in asking your MP to support Bill C-344 to legislate solutions for abandoned vessels!��📸 Mitch Miller
🌎 On April 13th from 10 am to 2, join knowledgeable Geologist Bob Hauser on this longer walk to view a few of the glacial features of the Comox Area.🌎 This 7 km loop walk will be enjoyable for people with a good level of fitness and an interest in geology.
🌎It comprises trails, roads and cobble beach. Please wear sturdy footwear. Bring snacks and water. Trekking poles might be useful.
For more information or to join the waitlist visit comoxvalleynaturalist.bc.ca/events
🌳A recent article in the online magazine "the Discourse" highlighted CVN's Trees of the Year campaign for 2024:🌳"Since 2018, Comox Valley Nature has celebrated unique and spectacular trees in the region through its Trees of the Year event.
"In the first years, Cathy Storey and Fred Newhouse ran the Tree of the Year event. At that time, only members of Comox Valley Nature were invited to nominate their favourite trees in the surrounding area."
🌳“Cathy Storey was so passionate about it, so excited to do it as a way to increase awareness,” said Karen Cummins. (TOTY coordinator) “Just connection with nature, for one thing, which was big with her, and to increase the awareness of local trees here that are amazing. And to raise interest in the protection of trees, as well.”
🌳Now that the nomination period has closed, CVN will publish an illustrated list of the nominees on our website, along with maps of their locations. We encourage you to visit as many as you can, preferably by cycling or walking.
🌳To read more of the Discourse article visit thediscourse.ca/comox-valley/trees-of-the-year-celebrates-unbe-leaf-able-trees-in-the-comox-valley