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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
Bird Outing Report: Point Holmes & Kye Bay, Jan. 12,2017
This morning, January 12, five birders spent a cold but otherwise pleasant morning at Point Holmes and Kye Bay. We had good numbers of a variety of waterbirds, shorebirds, and gulls. This gave us a good opportunity for gull study. … Continue reading
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Guest Speaker: Sarah Dudas, ‘Microplastics in the Environment’, Sun. Jan. 15,2017
Comox Valley Nature is pleased to host Dr. Sarah Dudas for a lecture on “Microplastics in the environment and implications for the Salish Sea”. Recently featured on the CBC for her work on microplastics, Dr. Sarah Dudas is Canada research … Continue reading
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Nature Outing Report: Royston Seaside Trail, Jan. 7,2017
27 hardy CVNS members came out for the first outing of the new year, along the Royston Seaside Trail starting at the Royston wrecks breakwater. Art Martell gave a background on the K’omoks Important Bird & Biodiversity Area, the second … Continue reading
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Comox Christmas Bird Count Report: Dec. 22,2016
The 117th Annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count for the Comox Valley was held on Thurs. Dec. 22 (postponed from Sun. Dec. 18) and resulted in a total of 108 species, including a MEGA-Rarity: a Red-flanked Bluetail, found by Shane Tillapaugh … Continue reading
Bird Outing Report: Ships Point Peninsula, Dec. 1,2016
Today, December 1st, the rain held off (mostly) and 12 birders spent a pleasant morning at Fanny Bay Conservation Area and Ship’s Point Park. Overall, we found 48 species. Highlights included Gadwall, Long-tailed Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, and a Cooper’s Hawk … Continue reading
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Bird Outing Report: Courtenay Airpark, Nov.17,2016
Thirteen birders visited the Airpark today. Highlights were a Herring Gull on the hangar roof, a Northern Shrike and two Wilson’s Snipe with a Dunlin at the lagoon. The following 38 species were found: Canada Goose Trumpeter Swan Eurasian Wigeon … Continue reading
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Guest Speaker: Pearl McKenzie, ‘MARS is Spreading its Wings’, Sun. Nov. 20, 2016
Comox Valley Nature would like to introduce Pearl McKenzie who spent most of her working life as a community law office worker and human rights advocate, focusing on law reform activities before retirement. Pearl has lived in the Comox Valley … Continue reading
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Bird Outing Report: Simpson Farm, Nov.10,2016
Today, Nov 10th, 19 birders went to the Dyke Road Viewing Stand and waded through flooded fields on Simpson Farm (restricted access). We had a pleasant morning – without rain! Overall we found 37 species. Highlights included large numbers of … Continue reading
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Nature Outing Report: K’omoks Estuary, Oct. 22,2016
An avid dozen participated in this outing with the weather cooperating until the end, shortly after noon. We started at Goose Spit with discussions around the area’s geologic development and explanations of how the littoral drift used to replenish the … Continue reading
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Nature Outing Report: Courtenay River Walk, Sun. Oct. 9,2016
Frank Hovenden, past Coordinator of the Wetland Restoration project, & current Coordinator Murray Little, led a group of 10 including several new members along the Courtenay River. The outing highlighted the significant restoration work done by CVNS in the Airpark … Continue reading
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