Comox Valley Nature wishes to thank the 40 residents and the staff of School District 71 who made the Garry Oak Gardening Workshop a very successful educational event, and an important step towards recovering the valley’s natural heritage.
Fresh out from last week’s important workshop, Dr. Loys Maingon (RPBio), President of Comox Valley Nature, will lead a free public walk around the last remaining Garry Oak grove in the Courtenay region. As discussed at this week-end’s workshop with visiting experts from the Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team, Garry Oak ecosystems both in the Capital Region and in the Comox Valley have been reduced to 1% of their historic distribution, down from 3-5% a mere 20 years ago.
In 1870 John Richards surveyed 12 square kilometres of Garry Oak savannahs in the Comox Valley. Only a few hectares now remain of these 12 square kilometres. These few hectares represent about 18% of the total genetic diversity of Garry Oaks across their entire geographic distribution from mid-California to the Comox Valley.
Comox Valley Nature has embarked on a long-term project to reverse this decline through systematic planting in collaboration with private landowners, and education. As part of its educational mandate the Comox Valley Nature Walk will take place on Sunday June 24, at 9:30 am. Interested parties should park at the Vanier Ice Rink (3001 Vanier Drive, next to Vanier Collegiate. (Contact Loys Maingon 250-331-0143).
Comox Valley Nature is a non-profit society affiliated to BC Nature which fulfills its educational mandate by hosting monthly lectures, organizing weekly guided hikes and undertakes a variety of environmental projects . 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. (No dogs on walks, please). An entrance fee of .00 for the lecture is suggested for non-members. New memberships are always welcomed.
