May 6-8, 2011 – Skagit Bird Blitz – details available in Spring Magazine – Spots Still Available!
May 12-15 – 2011 – AGM 2011 – Williams Lake – Registration now available on our website
June 3-5, 2011 – Mt. Robson Bird Blitz – Info available in Spring Magazine
June 17 – 19 – Manning Park Bird Blitz details available in Spring Magazine – Spots Still Available!
July 2 – 9th – Nuit Range exploratory Backpacking. email for more Information
July 15 – 19 – Strathcona Provincial Park Field Camp. Please see BC Nature Website for more information
July 16 – 23 – Backpacking South Chilcotins – for more information please email for more Information
Sept. 29 to Oct. 2 – BC Nature Conference and FGM – Tswassen – Hosted by Delta Naturalists.
Communications Director needed!
BC Nature needs your helps in assisting us with the revamping of our website – magazine editor etc. Please contact John Neville through the office
Issue 14
Date April – May 2011
Bellowing Sea Lions
Shorekeepers & Eelgrass Training – Birds on the Bay
An important message from friends of Semiahmoo Bay Society to all of our ‘Shorekeepers’ and ‘Eelgrass’ volunteers. We hope you’ve received the information about and invitation to this year’s training and surveys. Info below and further details on our website: Birds on the Bay Shorekeepers
Eelgrass
What: Eelgrass Mapping and Monitoring Training
Where: Classroom session South Surrey Recreation Center 14601 20th Ave, Surrey; Field work to follow White Rock Beach
When: Saturday June 4, 2011 – 9 am – 3 pm RSVP: Alison Prentice
View article here. If this link does not work, please use search – type in “sandpiper” and Anne’s article come up or cut and paste this address into your browser http://www.straight.com/article-390282/vancouver/anne-murray-witness-amazing-spring-migration-sandpipers
Baillie Birdathon – 2011
Canada’s Baillie Birdathon is the oldest sponsored bird count in North America. It was established in 1976 as a national fundraiser to support the research and conservation of wild birds. The challenge is to identify as many bird species as possible within a 24-hour period anytime during the month of May. Funds raised by participants benefit not only the work of Bird Studies Canada, but also designated bird observatories, the James L. Baillie Memorial Fund, and participating conservation and naturalist clubs. You can either encourage your members to participate on their own for your club, or you could organize a “Birdathon Day” to get members out birding together. After the Birdathon, 25-50% of all funds raised by participants naming your group will be returned to you to use as you wish. Early this year, we delivered over $93,000.00 to clubs and organizations across the country who participated in 2010! As I said, participation is free, and registration is easy and can be done online. Individuals will then receive a fundraising webpage of their own that can be personalized and used to track their progress, a participants kit and free t-shirt simply for registering. The online registration page is here
Conserving Working Landscapes – The Future of Agriculture in the East Kootenay
Cranbrook, BC 8:30AM to 4:30 PM The East Kootenay Conservation Program and the College of the Rockies are pleased to partner in this forum which is important to both agriculture and to conservation. Topics include: The Agricultural Land Reserve, Agricultural Area Planning, Climate Change Impacts, Water and Agriculture, Energy Assessment Tools, Ecological Goods and Services, and Alternatives To Traditional Agriculture. There is no cost to attend but you must register by email: or by phone (250) 489-8242. For further information contact EKCP at or by phone (250) 581-1122.
Wetlands courses being offered
The BC Wildlife Federation, its’ affiliated clubs, partners and Wetlands Education Program have some upcoming volunteer and training opportunities. Some of the upcoming opportunities are highlighted below. Thank you for your continued support, we look forward to hearing and collaborating with you in the future!
1. Ladner Marsh clean-up volunteer opportunity!
The Delta Ladner Rod and Gun Club, a BCWF member, in cooperation with Hunting BC are planning the annual Ladner marsh clean up and they need your help! If you are interested in helping out, please register with Roger McRurie, Delta Ladner Rod and Gun Club, 604-946-3909, . Thanks in advance for your support in making our marsh enjoyable for generations to come!
May 14, 2011 *Please arrive at Welington Point Park (3653 River Road West), for 9:00am in Ladner BC.
*Bring your gloves, boots and waders and dress for the weather *Families are welcome *Refreshments will be provided! 2.Wetlandkeepers Courses- training opportunity!
3. Puddle Project- training opportunity! 1. North Vancouver BC June 5, 2011 Please register with BCWF WEP: here
The Outdoor Recreation Council of British Columbia (ORC)
The issues presently being addressed by ORC are fully described in the Spring 2011 issue of its newsletter The Outdoor Recreation Report which will be published in May. BC Nature is a member of ORC so members of naturalist clubs may request to have their names placed on the mailing list for a hard copy of the newsletter by contacting ORC’s office at The newsletter is usually published twice a year and after it has been published the content is posted on the ORC website For questions about ORC please contact Jeremy McCall, Executive Director, at 604-876-7694
BC Butterfly Atlas
Over the past year, we have been working to initiate a citizen-based survey of butterflies in British Columbia. The BC Butterfly Atlas would follow on the recent success of the BC Breeding Bird Atlas (www.birdatlas.bc.ca) and successful butterfly atlassing projects in other jurisdictions (e.g., Canadian Maritimes, Maine, Vermont, UK). The project would standardize efforts by volunteers to collect butterfly records across a series of 10 km x 10 km squares (based on BC Breeding Bird Atlas) covering the whole province over a five-year period. The atlas would also collect incidental butterfly observations from a wider range of contributors. A new website would be a key part of the atlas and would provide information on survey methods, butterfly identification, and show the survey results graphically.
How you can help us: •Join our contact list: We are establishing a contact list of people who wish to stay informed about the project. If you would like to stay informed, please send a quick email to me Here and I will add you to this list. Also, please forward this email to others who might be interested
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.