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Recent Posts
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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
- BC Nature scholarships available
- Brandt Research Grant 2026 awarded
- CVN celebrates 60 years of stewardship and community
- Botany at Bear Creek Park, March 2026
- Hear about a nature photographer’s experiences at our May general meeting
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CVN Facebook Posts
6 days ago
Help a Toad to cross the road!2 weeks ago
Dont miss these upcoming presentations, giving insight into wildlife rehabilitation, bird intelligence and the lives of coastal wolves: ... See MoreSee Less2 weeks ago
Reporting wildfire sightings is easier with the BC Wildfire Service App:With the BC Wildfire Service app, you can quickly report wildfires electronically - even in areas with limited cell coverage. Click on the report button, prepare your report offline and your report will automatically go to the Provincial Wildfire Reporting Centre when you’re back in service.Our mobile app is free to download on both Apple and Android devices.
iOS: apps.apple.com/us/app/bc-wildfire-service/id1477675008
Google play: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ca.bc.gov.WildfireInformation&pcampaignid=web_share ... See MoreSee Less
2 weeks ago
Interesting and helpful advice from John Neilson and the Brooklyn Creek Watershed Stewards :Recently, BCWS has been made aware of two incidents of soapy water at the Brooklyn Creek fish ladder (see picture taken July 2nd). This has likely resulted from a release of a detergent into the stream, possibly from car washing or moss removal on roofs.As readers know, Pacific salmon are found in Brooklyn Creek every day of the year, and there certainly is no “safe” time to release detergents or other pollutants into the storm water system that connects with the Creek. Release of any deleterious substance into salmon bearing streams is contrary to the Fisheries Act, and subject to fines. Soapy water can impact young salmon by damaging their gills or skin.
In addition to posing a threat to our salmon populations, soapy water may also indicate that some people are still washing cars, which as of June 23, is not permitted under Stage 3 water restrictions. Once car washing is again allowed, consider washing on a lawn, rather than a hard surface. This simple method can greatly reduce the amount of soapy water entering the storm water system.
Thank you for considering the health of the Brooklyn Creek Watershed.
Dr. John Neilson, President BCWS ... See MoreSee Less
1 month ago
Sophia Priestman, a graduate of Mark R. Isfeld Secondary School, is the 2026 recipient of the CVN Bursary. Our $1000 bursary was presented to her at the school’s awards ceremony on May 28.Sophia graduates with straight A grades. She made extensive contributions to the Environment Club throughout her career at Isfeld, taking on the president’s role in grades 11 and 12. She was also very involved in the Model UN Program, and participated in other school clubs and sports.
Outside school, Sophia has volunteered with Anderton Therapeutic Garden and with Lush Valley for several years. At 12 years old she was offered a job by five vendors at the Farmer’s Market and chose Alderlane Bakery where she is in her sixth year of employment. She also has helped out at Pendleton Farm.
Sophia has been accepted at the University of Victoria where she will pursue a dual major in Environmental Studies and Economics with a minor in Applied Ethics. Of this somewhat unusual combination of disciplines, Sophia says:
This variety of disciplines will allow me to see complex political and environmental issues from multiple perspectives and find innovative solutions that both foster sustainability and ensure welfare for all (human and non-human alike).
Congratulations, Sophia! ... See MoreSee Less
Author Archives: Botany
Upcoming Walks: October 2018 – February 2019
MASTER SCHEDULE: Variances only announced by Loys Maingon Questions: CVN Walks October 2018 -February 2019 .PDF CVN WALKS: October 2018 to February 2019 All walks minimum 2 hrs PARTICIPANTS SHOULD MEET EITHER AT CARPOOLING LOCATION OR AT TRAILHEADS Carpooling … Continue reading
Posted in Weekend Walks
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Shoreline Outing Summary: Cape Lazo, Intertidal Food Webs, September 20th, 2018
Hey Everyone, Just before the weather turned ugly, we made is out to the shoreline below the cliffs at Cape Lazo. We were trying to make sense of some of the feeding relationships along the shoreline. As we get more … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, Shoreline and Marine
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Jensen Keltie, CVN Bursary Recipient, 2018
Jensen Keltie is a graduating grade 12 student from Vanier Secondary School. The Bursary Committee chose Jensen for her outstanding academic achievement, her active participation in conservation and environmental issues and her contribution to the Vancouver Island University’s Deep Bay … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Sunday, 29th July 2018, Hike to Aston Pond
SUN. July 29, 8:30am: Hike to Aston Pond (near Panther Lake) A long day hike (14 km round trip) with biologist Loys Maingon on subalpine pond ecology. Pack a lunch. Meet at Parking area on Strathcona Parkway just off Highway … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, Weekend Walks
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Upcoming Walk: Saturday, 28th July 2018, Paradise Meadows – Trees & Lichens
SAT. July 28, 1:00pm : Nature Walk –Paradise Meadows – trees & Lichens A 2-2 ½ hour walk around the Meadows led by forester Margaret Symon. Meet at the Strathcona Park Wilderness Centre, Paradise Meadows at 1:00 pm. Sturdy footwear … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, Weekend Walks
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Upcoming Walk: Sunday, 22nd July 2018, Hike up Mt Becher
SUN. July 22, 9:00am: Hike up Mt Becher – Evolution of land plants. Paleontologist Randal Mindell will use examples from the hike up Mt Becher (11km round trip) to show how land plants evolved. Meet at the trailhead at the … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Saturday, 21st July 2018, Paradise Meadows flora & fauna
SAT. July 21, time 9:30am : Nature Walk –Paradise Meadows flora & fauna Naturalist Joel Kositsky will lead a 2-2 ½ hour walk around the Meadows . Meet at the Strathcona Park Wilderness Centre, Paradise Meadows, at 9:30 am. Sturdy … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Sunday, 15th July 2018, Geology of Karst Creek Nature Trail
SUN. July 15, 10:30 am: Nature Walk – Geology of Karst Creek Nature Trail, Buttle Lake Area Paleontologist Randal Mindell will lead an easy walk around the 2km Karst Creek trail at Buttle Lake. Meet at the trailhead, on Westmin … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, Weekend Walks
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Upcoming Walk: Saturday, 14th July 2018, McKenzie Meadows Hike
SAT. July 14, 8:30 am: McKenzie Meadows Hike– Subalpine ecosystems An easy, 3 km one-way hike from trailhead into McKenzie & Douglas Lakes & the Meadows, with biologist Loys Maingon. Meet at Parking area on Strathcona Parkway just off Highway … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Sunday, 8th July 2018, Circlet Lake Hike
SUN. July 8, 8:30 am: Circlet Lake Hike – Avalanche Lily search. Biologist Loys Maingon will lead this strenuous full-day hike up to the vicinity of Circlet Lake – 20 km round trip. Pack a lunch. Expect wet snow beyond … Continue reading
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