One Month to go – Rene Savenye Scholarship deadline – June 3, 2016. Application Link
FGM 2016 – Prince George, September 22-26, 2016 – Schedule and Registration will be posted May 9 (Subject to change)
Bird Blitzs – Robson – June 3, 2016 Manning, June 17-19, 2016 need more information, please refer to your Spring magazine or email
AGM 2017 – Lillooet – May 4 – 7, 2017 – Details in Fall 2016 Magazine
The Atlas of the Breeding Birds of British Columbia
The Atlas of the Breeding Birds of British Columbia is now online! More than 1500 high-quality maps and graphs show precisely where each species occurs, how common it is, and which types of landscapes it breeds in. The atlas is packed with innovative, user-friendly features, and is an entirely free new resource designed for almost everyone – from environmental professionals and researchers to birdwatchers, educators, and students. With 630,000 records of 320 species, it is now the go-to source of bird information for environmental assessments, and is informing purchase and management priorities for conservation and industrially-managed lands. The dataset is also being widely used for academic research. Special thanks to the 30 authors, 20 editors, 45 coordinators, 1300 dedicated field volunteers, 30 photographers, and 150 generous partners and supporters!
Issue 49
Date June 2016
Spring in the Alpine
BCnature Spring 2016 Magazine is still available online
The BCnature Summer Magazine will be available for download in the “members only” area at the end of May. If you do not have your password or access name, please email the office for your information (). For those that currently receive the magazine via Canada post mail, your name as it is written on the label and your password (top left corner) are your access to the members only area.
May is the Great Canadian Birdathon
During the month of May, thousands of Canadians from coast to coast will participate in the Great Canadian Birdathon. Visit the Birdathon page of Bird Studies Canada’s President Steven Price to show your support! You can join Steven and the rest of our loyal Birdathoners by registering yourself. By becoming a participant or supporter, you’ll raise the critical funds we need for conservation, and encourage more Canadians to discover the fascinating birds around us.
Birdathoners have chances to win incredible prizes! Our grand prize is an amazing birding vacation from Eagle-Eye Tours. Additional prizes from our generous sponsors Armstrong Bird Food, Celestron, Eagle Optics Canada, and Vortex range from bird seed to optics.
Sign-up is easy. Just visit our website to get started on your personal webpage today!
Interesting Sites and News Tidbits
Available now – Brand new “Loon” poster being circulated by Lillooet Field Naturalists – Here is the link for a download copy.
Geothermal Energy – Why aren’t we using more of it – Read about it here
The Kokanee sport fishery on the Kootenay Lake’s west arm will be ‘catch-and-release’-only Article here
An interesting site is promoting a Tick Removal product. This product was brought to the attention of BC Nature by one of its Naturalists club and is not endorsed by BC Nature, however, if you wish to explore it for more information, please do so.
Proponents behind B.C.’s Northern Gateway pipeline ask for three-year extension Vancouver Sun Article
Recovery Strategy for the Wood Bison (Bison bison athabascae) in Canada posted on the Species at Risk Public Registry (SARA) for a 60-day public consultation period Link
A thought provoking Article on Site C
What BC Residents Have and Have Not Been Told About Site C Dam and Electricity Prices. From Powell River – Great article
From the Outdoor Recreation Council
Kootenays – Outdoor Recreation Council of a Crown Land Tenure application for a License of Occupation for Adventure Tourism. The public is invited to comment. Responses are due by May 28 (Please note: The short period for responding is due to delayed notification by this office). – Adventure Tourism – Commercial Recreation – Guided Mechanized Cat – skiing December through April – Near Ymir BC on Mt Elise. Link for information
NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE OUTDOOR RECREATION COUNCIL OF BRITISH COLUMBIA TIME & DATE: 9 AM TO 2 PM, SATURDAY JUNE 11 LOCATION: YARROW COMMUNITY SCHOOL, 4595 WILSON ROAD, YARROW, NEAR CHILLIWACK
Interior – Please note that the deadline for comments on the final draft of the South Chilcotin Mountains Provincial Park Management Plan has been extended to June 13. The BC Parks website will be updated to reflect that shortly.
Get Involved with World Rivers Day!
Interested clubs can organize an event with their members and (if applicable) their local streamkeeper and waterkeeper groups. World Rivers Day is celebrated on the last Sunday in September. Learn more here
To Unsubscribe , please contact the BC Nature Office. All email addresses are protected from misuse by BC Nature by way of off site storage on a secure server. Questions or comments? Contact us via Email to BC Nature
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.