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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
Botany Outing Report: Harewood Plains, May 13, 2013
10 botanists braved to rain to visit the Harewood Plains in Nanaimo. Luckily the weather cleared up just as they started up the hill into the Plains and were rewarded with magnificent displays of camas, spring gold, monkey flower and … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, Plants and fungi
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May 19, 2013: The Bedwell Trail Story
Dr. Marlene Smith will deliver the last of the 2013 Comox Valley Nature Rachel Carson Memorial lectures. The topic of her illustrated lecture is The Bedwell trail Story. This lecture is particularly timely as the public awaits an important legal … Continue reading
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Bird Outing Report: Cumberland Marsh, May 7, 2013
Ten birders met for a very pleasant walk through Cumberland Marsh. Weather was sunny and mild. A total of 35 species were seen or heard, including recently-arrived Black-headed Grosbeak and Western Tanager. We saw a total of six species of … Continue reading
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Botany Outing Report: Kin Beach, Apr. 8,2013
Approximately 15 naturalists attend a botany outing to Kin Beach on a lovely sunny spring day. The plants identified were: Flowering plants : common chickweed, little western bittercress, pale spring beauty, red stem spring beauty, miner’s lettuce, shepherd’s cress, common … Continue reading
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April 21, 2013: Mushroom Specialist Shannon Berch
The penultimate Rachel Carson Memorial Lecture hosted by Comox Valley Nature will be delivered by Dr. Shannon Berch. The title of the lecture is “Mycorrhizas – How fungi help plants grow”. The lecture is on Sunday April 21 at 7 … Continue reading
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BC Nature enews April 2013
Upcoming Events AGM 2013 – Along the Fraser – Adapting to Change Abbotsford-Mission Nature Club – May 2-5, 2013 – Registration in BCnature Spring Magazine and Abbotsford Mission website Skagit Valley Bird Blitz – May 10-12, 2013 Mt. Robson Provincial … Continue reading
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Bird Outing Report: One Spot Trail, April 1, 2013
Seven birders walked sections of the One Spot Trail , looking for early spring arrivals. The weather was beautiful and most of the birds were both seen and heard by everyone. Some of the recently-arrived species encountered were Rufous Hummingbird, … Continue reading
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Nature Outing Report: Boyle Point, March 28, 2013
Postponed from March 20 (a day that included wind, rain, hail, snow & sun!) four members explored Boyle Point Park & Morrison Marsh on Denman Island. Nature Student blog has a selection of photos. Additional bird highlights were numerous Yellow-rumped Warblers, … Continue reading
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Bird Outing Report: Kye Bay, March 18, 2013
Six birders met at Elks Park at Kye Bay to check out the gull flocks. There were easily a few thousand gulls scattered over the sandbars on the falling tide. There was also a raft of sea ducks (scoters, long-tails, … Continue reading
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BC Nature enews March 2013
Upcoming Events AGM 2013 – Along the Fraser – Adapting to Change Abbotsford-Mission Nature Club – May 2-5, 2013 – Registration in Spring Magazine and our website February 28, 2013 – Deadline for BC Nature Awards nominations. Please contact the … Continue reading
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