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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: Sunday, Dec 4th 2016, Kye Bay
Sunday, December 4th, Kye Bay Loys and Alison Maingon will lead a walk along the beach at Kye Bay, below the Comox Airport. The high bluffs and cobble beach make for an interesting area, even with a 5metre high tide … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, Weekend Walks
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Upcoming Walk: Saturday, Nov. 26th 2016, Goose Spit Public Walk, 9:00 am
Saturday, November 26th, Goose Spit Public Walk, 9:00 am Alison and Loys Maingon will lead a Public Walk along Goose Spit, from the DND gate north to the Willemar Bluffs. Like much of our coast line, this area has been … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Saturday, Nov. 19th 2016, Maple Lake Public Walk, 9:00 am
Saturday, November 19th, Maple Lake Public Walk, 9:00 am Loys and Alison Maingon will lead a walk part way around Maple Lake. Since 2013 the Maple Lake Fundraising Committee has been working towards buying this 20 hectare lake and its … Continue reading
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YNC Outing: beach clean-up at Kye Bay, Nov 20th 2016
Hello Nature Kids Families, Our next Explorer Day will be a beach clean-up at Kye Bay on Sunday, November 20th from 1:00-3:00pm. We will meet at the beach access near the end of Windslow Road (not at the playground). Please … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, NatureKids
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Upcoming Walk: Saturday, Nov. 12th 2016, Headquarters Townsite Park Walk, 9:00 am
Saturday, November 12th, Headquarters Townsite Park Walk, 9:00 am Alison and Loys Maingon will lead an easy walk around Headquarters townsite Park on Remembrance Day weekend. This 8 hectare riparian forest site on the east bank of the Tsolum River … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Saturday, Nov. 5th 2016, Lower Trent River Walk, 9:00 am
Saturday, November 5th, Lower Trent River Walk, 9:00 am Loys and Alison Maingon will lead a late fall walk along the top of the Lower Trent canyon. The walk will start at Hatton Road, and is approximately 2.8 km one … Continue reading
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Link to: Slideshow – Wetland Conservation and Resilience with Dan Buffett
Wetland Conservation and Resilience with Dan Buffett The presentation will highlight some of the protected and restored wetlands on Vancouver Island and introduce the topic of ‘resilience’, which provides a different lens to look at how we conserve wetlands that … Continue reading
Posted in BC Nature AGM 2016 News, Guest Speakers, News
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News: SWI – Position of Outreach Coordinator Position with Strathcona Wilderness Institute
Strathcona Wilderness Institute (SWI) is inviting applications for the position of Outreach Coordinator, and CVN was asked for assistance by John Brocklebank, Director SWI. Contact : Outreach Coordinator PDF The Directors of Strathcona Wilderness Institute (SWI) invite applications … Continue reading
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Link to: Slideshow – Limits to Growth by Neil Dawe May 2016
Ever since the publication of “Limits to Growth” in 1972 it has been obvious to practicing scientists that environmental conservation was unsustainable if the problems posed by classical economics of endless growth was not simultaneously addressed. Limits to Growth advocated that … Continue reading
Posted in BC Nature AGM 2016 News, Guest Speakers, News
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YNC Outing: Mushroom Walk William’s Beach Forest, Oct. 22nd 2016, 10:00 am
Hello Families, Our next Explorer Day will be a mushroom walk on Saturday, October 22nd from 10:00-12:00 at the William’s Beach Forest. This forest has a mix of mostly pine and Douglas-fir and it is a great place for fungi … Continue reading
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