CVN Facebook Posts
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.
The Canadian Coalition for Invasive Plant Regulation (CCIPR) wants the federal government to establish a regulatory body for the horticultural industry and create a national database identifying invasive plants and their risks in different regions. "Even if we don't prohibit them, we need to let the public know when there is potential harm," said CCIPR co-founder Cathy Kavassalis. "We do this on other products, and we should do it on plants too. It's just common sense."In July, Nanaimo council passed a motion to pursue a bylaw amendment restricting the sale of plants on a list maintained by the Invasive Species Council of B.C. A week later, Surrey moved to ban sales by businesses including nurseries, large retail chains and florists. Kavassalis said a problem that could be addressed at higher levels of government is being pushed down to municipalities."These are all patchwork solutions that, in some ways, just waste a lot of resources," she said. The CCIPR says a national database could give provinces, territories, retailers and gardeners a shared source of information about which plants pose risks in different regions. Kavassalis also wants invasive plants removed from shelves or clearly labelled.For more on this story visit www.cbc.ca/news/science/invasive-plants-sale-federal-regulation-9.7312362 or see our link in bio
The Canadian Coalition for Invasive Plant Regulation (CCIPR) wants the federal government to establish a regulatory body for the horticultural industry and create a national database identifying invasive plants and their risks in different regions. "Even if we don't prohibit them, we need to let the public know when there is potential harm," said CCIPR co-founder Cathy Kavassalis. "We do this on other products, and we should do it on plants too. It's just common sense."In July, Nanaimo council passed a motion to pursue a bylaw amendment restricting the sale of plants on a list maintained by the Invasive Species Council of B.C. A week later, Surrey moved to ban sales by businesses including nurseries, large retail chains and florists. Kavassalis said a problem that could be addressed at higher levels of government is being pushed down to municipalities. "These are all patchwork solutions that, in some ways, just waste a lot of resources," she said. The CCIPR says a national database could give provinces, territories, retailers and gardeners a shared source of information about which plants pose risks in different regions. Kavassalis also wants invasive plants removed from shelves or clearly labelled.For more on this story visit www.cbc.ca/news/science/invasive-plants-sale-federal-regulation-9.7312362
The following letter is from Save Our Forests Team - Comox Valley, on the subject of Bear James Park
Author Archives: Krista
Guest Speaker: James & Kristen Miskelly, Sun. Apr. 16,2017
The Comox Valley, as most of Vancouver Island is fast seeing its Garry oak heritage disappear. Victoria has taken steps to reverse this trend by developing programmes to restore native Garry Oak ecosystems. In order to foster this initiative Comox … Continue reading
Posted in Guest Speakers
Comments Off on Guest Speaker: James & Kristen Miskelly, Sun. Apr. 16,2017
Bird Outing Report: One Spot Trail, Mar. 30, 2017
Today, March 30th, 10 birders spent a rare, sunny morning on the One Spot Trail and found 18 species. The highlight was a great view of a pair of Wood Ducks high in a tree with the female peeking out … Continue reading
Posted in Birds, Field Trips
Comments Off on Bird Outing Report: One Spot Trail, Mar. 30, 2017
Guest Speaker: Charly Caproff, ‘Explore Your Watershed with Fraser Riverkeeper’, Sun. Mar. 19, 2017
Comox Valley Nature would like to introduce Charly Caproff. Unique is one way to describe her. Captivated by the mysterious subterranean realm beneath our feet, Charly became an advocate for karst, a scarcely heard of but ecologically important ecosystem in … Continue reading
Posted in Guest Speakers
Comments Off on Guest Speaker: Charly Caproff, ‘Explore Your Watershed with Fraser Riverkeeper’, Sun. Mar. 19, 2017
Bird Outing Report: Courtenay Airpark, Mar. 16,2017
Today,March 16th, 10 birders spent a pleasant morning at Courtenay Airpark and Riverway and found 30 species. A highlight was a great view of an Anna’s Hummingbird on her nest. Canada Goose Trumpeter Swan American Wigeon Eurasian Wigeon Mallard Green-winged … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips
Comments Off on Bird Outing Report: Courtenay Airpark, Mar. 16,2017
Bird Outing Report: Kye Bay, Mar. 9,2017
March 9, six birders spent a cold but otherwise pleasant morning at Point Holmes and Kye Bay. The herring fleet was actively harvesting off Point Holmes. Although the number of species was low (16 species), there were thousands of gulls … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips
Comments Off on Bird Outing Report: Kye Bay, Mar. 9,2017
Guest Speakers: AGM & Panel Discussion, Sun. Feb. 19,2017
The Annual General Meeting of Comox Valley Nature will be held on February 19 at 7:00 pm sharp in the Florence Filberg Centre. The AGM will feature a panel discussion consisting of four well-known environmentalists from the Comox Valley. The … Continue reading
Posted in Guest Speakers
Comments Off on Guest Speakers: AGM & Panel Discussion, Sun. Feb. 19,2017
Bird Outing Report: Lazo Marsh & Woods, Feb. 2,2017
Today, Groundhog Day, 10 birders spent a pleasant but cool morning at Lazo Marsh and Lazo Woods and found 19 species. A highlight was a Virginia Rail calling from the marsh. A bonus bird was a cooperative Cooper’s Hawk that … Continue reading
Posted in Birds
Comments Off on Bird Outing Report: Lazo Marsh & Woods, Feb. 2,2017
Nature Outing Report: Goose Spit, Jan. 28, 2017
On a blustery day, 26 intrepid club members gathered for a birding hike along Goose Spit. Due to the choppy waters on the outside, most of the waterbirds were at the tip of the spit. The group had good looks … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips
Comments Off on Nature Outing Report: Goose Spit, Jan. 28, 2017
Bird Outing Report: Miracle Beach to Oyster River, Jan.26,2017
This morning 11 birders went to Miracle Beach, Saratoga Beach and Oyster River estuary. We had a pleasant morning with a variety of waterbirds. Highlights were Brant, both Goldeneyes, and great looks at shorebirds. The following 33 species were found: … Continue reading
Posted in Birds
Comments Off on Bird Outing Report: Miracle Beach to Oyster River, Jan.26,2017
Bird Outing Report: Courtenay Airpark, Jan.19,2017
Today, January 19th, 11 birders spent a pleasant morning (with only a brief shower) at Courtenay Airpark and found 29 species. Highlights included great views of Ring-billed Gulls and White-crowned Sparrows. Canada Goose Trumpeter Swan American Wigeon Mallard Green-winged Teal … Continue reading
Posted in Birds
Comments Off on Bird Outing Report: Courtenay Airpark, Jan.19,2017
