Harrison Camp – Nov 26 – Nov 29, 2015 – Last Chance – 2 spots available – Please email for more information or visit this link
Awards Deadline January 29,2016. Meet with your Club executive and nominate a worthy club member today! All details in this Link
Resolutions Submission – February 26, 2016 deadline – visit link
Club Support Grants 2016 – deadline February 28, 2016. Please go to 2016 form download
Mitlenatch Camp – May 8-11, 2016 Preliminary Information available at this link
AGM 2016 – hosted by Comox Valley Naturalists – May 12 – 15, 2016
Rene Savenye Scholarship deadline – June 3, 2016. Application Link
FGM 2016 – Prince George, September 2016
BC Nature 2015 Annual Appeal
Its that time of year again, in the middle section of the BCnature Fall magazine, there is a letter outlining our annual appeal for donations.
With a membership of just over 5,700, comprised of 53 clubs, we are a force to be reckoned with! With a host of volunteers and only one paid employee we are a pretty lean organization. We rely heavily on your generosity this time of year to continue our conservation efforts and financial support of our projects such as IBA. Every $ helps! Please donate today!
Issue 47
Date November 2015
When will Spring be back?
BCnature Fall Magazine is available
The BCnature Fall Magazine is now available for download in the “members only” area. If you do not have your password or access name, please email the office for your information (). For those that receive the magazine via Canada post mail, your name as it is written and your password (top left corner) are your access to the members only area.
Last Chance for your say on South Okanagan Similkameen Protected Areas Framework
After over two years of no negotiations regarding a national park in the SOS, the Province in mid August released its Intentions Paper. This is a framework for long-term protection of these critical lands. National park status is proposed for two areas (White Lake Basin/VAseux and Chopaka/Kilpoola south of Highway 3), with a provincial conservancy in between. The release of the Paper is good news and the Province is asking for our views on their proposal, what else should be considered, and reasons for these. The deadline for public comment is Oct. 31.
The website for the proposal and comments Link For backgrounder information, please view the link on our website – http://www.bcnature.ca/
Interesting Sites and News Tidbits
Calling all Bat Afficiendos – Bananas to Bats: The Science Behind the First Bats Successfully Treated for White-Nose Syndrome Read the News Here
About Town
“The Real Thing” – The Natural History of Ian McTaggart Cowan – Various Locations and dates for the launch of this fantastic book :
Saltspring book launch November 3rd at 7 p.m. at the Bateman Gallery, Artspring, Ganges
Vancouver book launch November 7th from 1:15 to 4:30 p.m. at the UBC Beaty Biodiversity Museum
Victoria book launch November 18th at 7 p.m. at the Royal BC Museum
BirdLife International has released the 2015 Red List for Birds.
From Bird Studies Canada According to the latest assessment of birds, 40 species have been reclassified at a higher threat level. Link Here
Twenty-four of these species are now considered to be at a higher risk of extinction (either Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered). Among these are the Atlantic Puffin and Horned Grebe, which have both been uplisted to Vulnerable – a higher threat category than their 2014 classification as Least Concern.
The status of another 16 species has been upgraded from Least Concern (the lowest level of threat) to Near Threatened. Included in this group are North American species such as the Cassin’s Auklet, Razorbill, Common Eider, and Red Knot.
Visit the BirdLife International website to learn more about the new Red List assessments.
Call for Volunteers – BC Coastal Disturbance Project
We are looking for people interested in volunteering to participate in the BC Coastal Disturbance Project. This recently launched project has 2 main aims; 1) to determine the extent of disturbance to birds on BC’s South Coast caused by a wide range of recreational user groups, including kite surfers, boaters, hunters and dog walkers, and 2) intervention and education through targeted questionnaires, signage, and workshops. We then wish to follow up with another quantification of disturbance levels in 2017/2018 to determine the effectiveness of the intervention activities. To participate in this project we are asking volunteers to keep track of the numbers of each user group and the resulting disturbance experienced by birds, as well as the date/time/location of their walk/outing. The time commitment is not very large (10-15 minutes per outing), and the skill level requirement isn’t much more that telling apart a duck from a sandpiper! We can provide more information and the data collection protocol to those interested in helping. Together we can reduce, or even prevent entirely, the frequency and extent of disturbance to birds during migration or overwintering, and make our coastlines a more livable habitat for humans and wildlife alike! To participate, please contact me at , or call me on 604-350-1996.
Minister Thomson announces registration requirements for ORVs
Registration for Off Road Vehicles becomes compulsory on November 1. Please follow the link for more information as well as details of ORV safety measures which are also coming into effect. Link
It is interesting to note that, since voluntary registration of ORVs was introduced, 35,505 ORVs have voluntarily registered under the ORV Act between November 17, 2014 and Sept 30, 2015. ICBC has also confirmed the following participation rates by class of ORV: • 78% (27,550) all-terrain vehicles; • 12% (4, 357) snowmobiles; • 7% (2,392) off-road motorcycles; and • 3% (1,206) side-by-sides. This says a great deal for the leadership which has been shown by the ORV clubs and organizations which have been participating in the development of the ORV Management Framework.
To celebrate our 60th anniversary we invite you to come for a guided stroll on the Courtenay Riverway Heritage Walk with a member of Comox Valley Nature on April 24, 10 am -noon. Learn about the history of this area, including how the former sewage lagoon has become one of the most popular walking spots in the Comox Valley. Check out the restoration work that has replaced invasive plant species and added more native plants, shrubs and trees that is being done by Comox Valley Nature in partnership with the City of Courtenay. Hear why invasive plant species are so damaging to the ecosystems. Enjoy the view from the "lookout" over the estuary and be reminded how important the estuary is to the web of life.REGISTRATION required on our events page cvnature.ca/events An easy 1 km walk on a wheelchair accessible paved path. Dress for the weather and bring a water bottle Sorry, no dogs. This event is free, but donations are welcome.For more information, add your name to a wait list or to cancel your reservation email: . ... See MoreSee Less
To celebrate our 60th anniversary Comox Valley Nature is offering this opportunity to get together with knowledgeable birders to share skills and learn more about birding in the Comox Valley.This outing is designed for beginners, but birders of all levels are welcome. Experienced birders will help with identifying species, equipment, useful apps, and field guides. Both CVN members and the public are welcome on this walk at the Courtenay Airpark which will be on a wide smooth pathway for about 2km round trip. Bring binoculars if you have them. Dress for the weather. Warm clothing necessary – it’s often windy there! Please leave pets at home.Register through our events page at This event is free. Donations welcome.#birding#comoxvalley#iba#courtenay airpark ... See MoreSee Less
To celebrate our 60th anniversary we offer this opportunity to learn more about Garry oaks in the Comox Valley.Vanier Nature Park is home to a small grove of Garry oak trees which is being stewarded by Comox Valley Nature. These oaks are at the northern extent of their range, and are a remnant of a culturally modified ecosystem that once covered 160 square kilometres in the Comox ValleyThis walk will be lead by Geologist Bob Hauser and Forester Terry Lewis. They have spent many hours in the park removing invasive holly. Terry and Bob will look at the work in progress in the grove and share their unique perspective on this forest, with a focus on soil science and tree species.The Vanier Nature Park project is being co-managed by Comox Valley Nature and the City of Courtenay with funding from the City of Courtenay, BC Nature and the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation. Registration required through The walk is partially on level ground with some gentle to moderate uphill walking on a forest trail that has some uneven footing. No dogs please.For more information, to add your name to a wait list or to cancel your reservation, email: Details of the meeting place will be sent to registrants. Please be at the meeting spot at least 10 minutes before the walk starts to sign in. ... See MoreSee Less
To celebrate our 60th anniversary we invite you to come for a guided stroll on the Courtenay Riverway Heritage Walk with a member of Comox Valley Nature on April 24, 10 am -noon. Learn about the history of this area, including how the former sewage lagoon has become one of the most popular walking spots in the Comox Valley. Check out the restoration work that has replaced invasive plant species and added more native plants, shrubs and trees that is being done by Comox Valley Nature in partnership with the City of Courtenay. Hear why invasive plant species are so damaging to the ecosystems. Enjoy the view from the "lookout" over the estuary and be reminded how important the estuary is to the web of life.