Comox Valley Nature

Saturday, May 12^th, Comox Lake Ecological Reserve

Loys will be leading a tree and moss walk at the Comox Lake Bluffs ecological Reserve.  This reserve features one of the most northern enclaves of Mediterranean ecosystems, with Arbutus, Manzanita and one of only three areas on Vancouver Island where Rocky Mountain Juniper occurs in land and above sea-level.  The area is also noted for its large number of spring flowers. As this is an ecological reserve, we are asked to stay on the established paths. CVN was instrumental in getting this area recognized as a Reserve, so if you are new to the club, come and see what our earlier members have preserved for us.

Dress for the weather, and wear hiking boots with good traction, as some of the paths can be slippery. The 47 ha reserve has small inclines with a maximum elevation change of 140 meters. The links below are to the BC Government page for the Reserve, and our own web site.

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/eco_reserve/comoxlk_er.html

http://comoxvalleynaturalist.bc.ca/nature-viewing-guide/6-comox-lakepuntledge-river-area/comox-lake-bluffs-ecological-reserve/

Saturday, May 5^th, Allen Lake Cumberland

Allen Lake is situated in the hills south of Cumberland, with the first part of the walk through the Cumberland Community Forest. We in the low lands get our water from Comox Lake, but Allan Lake is the source of drinking water for Cumberland.  The walk is about 3.5 km each way, along well marked trails and bike paths. Bring water and wear study boots, and, as always in the spring, dress for the weather. A few web sites to check out are here:

http://www.cumberlandforest.com/maps/

https://www.trailforks.com/trails/allen-lake-main/

http://beautifulcomoxvalley.blogspot.ca/p/allen-lake-is-water-source-for.html

Sunday, April 29^th, Tsolum Flats.

With the return of spring flowers, we will be visiting  Tsolum Flats.   This is one of the best sites to catch the early blooms of both species of Pink and White Fawn Lillies in the Comox Valley, as well as a host of other showy flowers.  It is  particularly interesting for the rich variety of  native and non-native trees in a highly modified riparian environment.

The trail is level and gradual, making it easily accessible to a participants with limited mobility.

Tsolum River Floodplain Trails

https://tidechange.ca/2013/04/11/cvn-offers-free-interpretive-walk-along-lower-tsolum/