As part of a year-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, Comox Valley Nature will host a public lecture on the urgent and difficult problem of invasive species control. This is a multi-million scourge which has been identified as a prime source of productivity decline for agriculture, forestry, and fisheries.
This topic illustrates important links between the state of the environment and economic health. Invasive species are a growing burden on government budgets. It is therefore important for the public to understand the policy constraints that local governments face in trying to come to come to terms with the spread of invasive species.
Nancy Hofer is Environmental Planner at the City of Courtenay. She will present a talk outlining the problem and the regulatory options available to municipal government, entitled: Combating Invasive Species – Regulatory options at the Local Government Level. The lecture will be at the monthly meeting of Comox Valley Nature at 7 pm Sunday, March 17 at the Florence Filberg Centre, 411 Anderton, Courtenay.
She is the first person to hold this position at the City, as it is a newly created position as of three years ago. She is a relative newcomer to the Valley, moving here for the job. She brings to the work a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resource Conservation and a Masters of Planning degree, both from UBC. Nancy is passionate about engaging with communities to co-create the kinds of places that we can all be proud to call home. She loves working with people and also spending time outdoors. Nancy brings a strong sustainability lens to all aspects of her work, aiming to give a voice to Nature in planning decisions while strengthening community resilience in the face of a complex, dynamic and changing world.
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 undertaking 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. Lecture is free, though a $3 contribution from non-members is appreciated. New memberships are always welcomed.
Anyone interested in this lecture or participating in CVNS activities can also contact Loys Maingon (CVN President) at 250-331-0143.
