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Recent Posts
- Learn about coho and Brooklyn Creek stewardship at our September general meeting
- Enjoy an afternoon of storytelling with author Caroll Simpson
- SWI workshop: Subalpine mycology 2026
- Entomology and botany at Mt. Washington, July 2026
- Smartphone photography for iNaturalist
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- Learn about the proposed New Forest Act, June 15
- SWI plant diversity workshop, June 28
- Sophia Priestman, CVN Bursary recipient, 2026
- Bruce Moffat’s nature photography talk materials
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CVN Facebook Posts
1 week ago
The CVN photo group met last night for its September meeting and here are a few of the photos we shared with one another.Species and photographer shown in each photo...Comox Valley Nature is attending an event.2 weeks ago
Join the Comox Valley Conservation Community for a day long celebration of the watersheds and waterways that connect us all in the Comox Valley!Learn about restoration and habitat enhancement projects, salmon cycles, drinking water, forests, creeks, wetlands and estuaries – and so much more. Art projects, kids activities, volunteer engagement opportunities, hands on learning and guided walks – all looking out over the beautiful Puntledge River.
Comox Valley Nature will be there with our new outreach tent. Come by and say hello, and try our bird identification game. We can also show you why native plants are best for your garden, and how to spot invasive species.
Pack a picnic and stay for the day!
Saturday Sept 19th from 9 am – 3 pm
in Puntledge Park 1111 1st , Courtenay ...
2 weeks ago
In her memoir, Pacific Northwest author Caroll Simpson recounts the highs and lows of running a remote fishing lodge on her own following the untimely death of her husband, and of falling in love with the natural world.Simpson tells stories of living in the remote wilderness and managing the lodge, becoming an accidental environmental activist, fending off wild animals, working as an angling guide and finally, fighting off a proposed mining operation and participating in the development of a government land management plan as a spokesperson for the wilderness tourism industry.
While Simpson welcomed paying guests at Ookpik Lodge, unwanted house guests included a woodchuck, a pack rat, and martens. Simpson constantly had to watch out for grizzlies, moose, and cougars. Storms and extreme weather also provided fodder for hair-raising tales. All this makes for wonderful storytelling.
Caroll’s story is essentially a love story. In an essay for Sierra Club, Simpson wrote: “I developed an immense passion for flora and fauna. Just walking back and forth on the 300’ dock several times a day, I was exposed to the unbelievable beauty of the northern spectrum of water life: the golden eagle soaring above, the osprey and kingfisher diving and coming up with fish for their hatchlings, the muskrats and otters looking for an easy meal, the tireless beaver working into the late evening sunsets. All of these creatures and more expressed their generational ownership of this small piece of the world. In return each was given my utmost respect and admiration…As I listened to the loons at the end of each day and the owl and the wolf in the night, I felt blessed to be witnessing such beauty. “
On September 20th, join Comox Valley Nature and Save Our Forests Team for an afternoon of storytelling about this remarkable time spent living on a remote British Columbia lake.
The event is being held at the Comox United Church Hall. (250 Beach Drive, Comox) Admission is by donation. Doors open at 2:30; the event begins at 3:00 p.m. There will be time for Q&A after the presentation, as well as books available for purchase. Tea/coffee and cookies - including forest-themed cupcakes - will be available for a donation.
Join us, and prepare to fall in love. ...
3 weeks ago
🎟️ Get your tickets to the Project Watershed 2026 Keeping It Living Dinner today! projectwatershed.ca/2026-keeping-it-living-dinner/Every ticket holder makes a difference. 💙🎟️ Get your tickets to our 2026 Keeping It Living Dinner today! projectwatershed.ca/2026-keeping-it-living-dinner/
When community and local businesses invest in conservation, our entire ecosystem benefits.
Ticket sales directly support habitat restoration, scientific research, and environmental education, while the generosity of our sponsors helps offset event costs, ensuring that more of the funds raised can go directly toward this important work.
Thank you to our incredible sponsors and dinner attendees for believing in the power of community-led conservation. Odlum Brown Community and Northwest Hydraulic Consultants, 40 Knots Winery, CNB
Together, we're keeping our watersheds living.
🌿 Hope to see you September 12, 5 - 8 pm at 40 KNOTS Winery
#KeepingItLiving #ProjectWatershed #CommunitySupport #Conservation #ComoxValley ...
3 weeks ago
The City of Courtenay is developing a long-term vision for Bill Moore Park and Dogwood Park to guide future improvements. To help guide these decisions, three initial concepts have been developed, and there is an opportunity for you to offer your input.The latest survey on the City website engagecomoxvalley.ca/bill-moore-and-dogwood-park asks for feedback on three concept plans and specifically which concept you prefer. The three concepts present a range of recreation possibilities and there is room on the survey for your comments.
Dogwood Park is a 2.32‑hectare nature park featuring mature forested areas, natural habitat and a small wetland.
Only Concept A will maintain the intact forest areas in Dogwood Park. Concepts B and C propose increased recreation in the park including an off leash dog park, disc golf course, pump track (a purpose built track for children’s cycling) and nature play areas. While the planners may say that no trees or few trees will be taken down to accommodate this, the under-story will not survive this level of trampling and fragmentation. The trees as well as all the wildlife who now call that area home will disappear over time.
For those of us who value this forest, Concept A is the only option that makes sense.
Dogwood Park is one of the few islands of green for many, many blocks. It provides habitat for wildlife, shade, retains water and acts as a carbon sink. On the architect's base plan of current conditions it is now characterized as an "underutilized space".
The City has heard from sports enthusiasts but not nature lovers. Let them know why you value an intact forest and your connection to it. The survey is open until Sept 15. ...
Author Archives: Botany
Upcoming Walk: Saturday July 29th, 2017, 09:30 Public Walk at Little River Regional Park
Saturday, July 29, 9:30 Public Walk at Little River Regional Park Loys will lead todays public walk near the Little River ferry terminal. Meet at 9:30 am at park entrance on Wilkinson Road off Ellenor Road. This little park is … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Sunday, July 23rd 2017, Wild Ginger and Shepherds Creek Trails, Buttle Lake
Sunday, July 23, Wild Ginger and Shepherds Creek Trails, Buttle Lake Strathcona Park is more than just Paradise Meadows. Today’s SWI walk will introduce you to the other side of the park, from the shores of Buttle Lake. We will … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Sunday July 16, 2017, Trees and Lichens in the Subalpine
Sunday, July 16, Trees and Lichens in the Subalpine Forester Margaret Symon will lead the combined SWI and CVN group around Paradise Meadows on an easy 2 to 2.5 hour walk today. Margaret will identify the trees and lichens. There … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Saturday July 15, 2017, Oyster Bay
Saturday, July 15, Oyster Bay Regional Park Loys will lead today’s Public walk. Oyster Bay Regional Park, aka Oyster Bay Shoreline Protection Park is a small park in the Strathcona Regional District. It features sand dunes and interesting foreshore vegetation. This little visited … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Sunday July 9th 2017, Trees in Paradise Meadows
Sunday, July 9th, SWI Walk, Trees in Paradise Meadows Fred Newhouse will be leading today’s Strathcona Wilderness Institute walk. Paradise Meadows is sub-alpine at around 1,300 meters, and the tree species and growth patterns are sustainably different than their cousins … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Saturday, July 8, 2017, Headquarters Townsite Park Walk
Saturday, July 8, 9:30 am, Headquarters Townsite Park Walk This is an easy walk around Headquarters Townsite Park on level trails. The 8 hectare riparian forest site on the east bank of the Tsolum River was once an active centre … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Sunday July, 2nd 2017, Paradise Meadows
Sunday, July 2, 1 pm SWI/CVN Paradise Meadows Early Flowers This is to announce the opening of the Strathcona Wilderness Institute 2017 Season of Nature Walks at Paradise Meadows. The first one will be held on Sunday July 2nd at … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Sunday June 25th 2017, Public Walk Nymph Falls
Sunday June 25 Public Walk Nymph Falls, 9:30 Forbidden Plateau Road. Nymph Falls Park is not just for mushroom walks in the fall, but is a very popular walking park the year around. Loys will lead the group along the … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Sunday June 25th 2017, NatureKids Little River Park
Sunday, June 25 NatureKids Little River Park, 9:30 am Meet at 9:30 am at park entrance on Wilkinson Road off Ellenor Road (near Comox to Powell River ferry terminal). This little park is rarely visited, except by the local residents. … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Saturday June 10th 2017, Lower Morrison Creek- Puntledge River
Saturday. June 10 Lower Morrison Creek- Puntledge River Steph Nathan will lead you on a walk through the lower reaches of Morrison Creek today. No car- pooling is required as you can park on Lake Trail Road, near the Lake … Continue reading
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