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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: Paradise Meadows, Oct. 3,2016
On our October monthly gathering (Oct 3rd) nine of us toured the Paradise Meadows and Centennial Loop to collect all the SWI plant signs for winter storage. It was a bitterly cold day, but we were fortified by the late … Continue reading
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Bird Outing Report: Comox Shorelines, Oct. 12,2016
This morning ten birders explored various spots between Little River and Kin Beach. We had a beautiful morning with a decent variety of species, although with low numbers. The day’s highlight was a Lincoln’s Sparrow at Little River Nature Park. … Continue reading
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Guest Speaker: Dan Strickland, ‘West Coast Gray Jays’, Sun. Oct. 16, 2016
Comox Valley Nature would like to introduce Dan Strickland, the Chief Naturalist of Ontario’s Algonquin Provincial Park from 1970 to 2000. Dan grew up as a keen young naturalist at the west end of Lake Ontario, graduating in biochemistry from … Continue reading
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Bird Outing Report: Courtenay Airpark, Oct. 6, 2016
Today, October 6th, the rain held off and 11 birders spent a pleasant morning at Courtenay Airpark and found 50 species. Most of our winter birds were back in good numbers, which was an overall highlight. Canada Goose American Wigeon … Continue reading
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Bird Outing Report: Tyee Spit, Sept.29,2016
Today, Sept 29th, 16 birders spent a pleasant morning at Tyee Spit. Large numbers of waterbirds were moving and feeding in Discovery Passage which gave us multiple good views. Overall we found 33 species. Thanks particularly to Gordon for looking … Continue reading
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Bird Outing Report: Simpson Farm, Sept. 22,2016
Today, Sept 22nd, 11 birders went to Simpson Farm (restricted access) to look for fall migrants, and found 29 species. Highlights included nine juvenile Long-Billed Dowitchers, an Anna’s Hummingbird displaying on territory, a young Merlin trying to hunt Northern Flickers, … Continue reading
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Bird Outing Report: Lighthouse Regional Trail, Sept. 15,2016
Today 8 birders went to the Lighthouse Country Regional Trail between Bowser and Qualicum Bay. We walked the full loop, plus part of the Lost Runners trail, which we renamed the Lost Birders trail. The woods were quiet, but we … Continue reading
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Guest Speaker: Dr. Will Marsh, “On the Ragged Edge of Land & Water”, Sun. Sept. 18,2016
The next Comox Valley Naturalists Society meeting will feature Dr. William Marsh, who comes to British Columbia from the University of Michigan where from 1970 to 2000 he enjoyed a diverse career as an earth scientist, landscape planner, teacher, author … Continue reading
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Bird Outing Report: Hornby Island, Sept. 8,2016
Yesterday 14 birders travelled to Hornby Island, where another 7 Hornby birders joined us. We visited Gurney Point and Sandpiper Beach to look for shorebirds. We had good looks at Black-bellied Plovers in various plumages and at Black Turnstones. This … Continue reading
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Birds of the K’omoks Estuary
A great video featuring members of the Comox Valley Naturalists Society Birders Group has been produced and can be viewed here .
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