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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
Trumpeter Swan Counts 2015/2016
Apr. 12, 2016: TRUS adults 0 Juv. 3 Total 3 This makes the 2015/2016 Swan Count season officially over. Apr. 5, 2016: TRUS adults 15 Juv. 24 Total 39 Mar. 29, 2016: TRUS adults 108 Juv. 52 Total … Continue reading
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Bird Outing Report: Morrison Park, Apr. 14,2016
Thursday 12 birders (+one in training) spent a pleasant morning at Roy Stewart Morrison Nature Park. The initial overcast sky cleared nicely as we found 23 species. Highlights included great views of Red-breasted Sapsuckers, Pileated Woodpeckers and Pacific Wrens. Great … Continue reading
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Guest Speaker: Brian Walwork, ‘Natural History of Costa Rica’, Sun. Apr.17,2016
Comox Valley Nature is pleased to welcome Bryan Walwork, who will give a presentation of photographs from a recent Natural History Trip to Costa Rica. Walwork’s intense two-week trip was designed for the naturalist. The trip leader, Dr. Keith Wade … Continue reading
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Bird Outing Report: Cumberland Marsh, Apr.7,2016
Today 18 birders (+one in training) went to Cumberland Marsh. We enjoyed a lovely, warm morning of spring birding and found 30 species, many of which were busy singing and drumming. Highlights included great views of Red-breasted Sapsuckers and Ring-necked … Continue reading
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Bird Outing Report: Courtenay Airpark, Mar. 31,2016
It was a beautiful spring morning at the Air Park. Fourteen birders saw 39 species with highlight being Greater Yellowlegs, Black-bellied Plover, and both Pacific and Bewick’s Wrens. American Wigeon Mallard Green-winged Teal Bufflehead Common Merganser Great Blue Heron Bald … Continue reading
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BC Nature eNews, March 2016
Upcoming Events AGM 2016 – hosted by Comox Valley Naturalists – May 12 – 15, 2016 Please visit for Updates, Registration and Schedules Rene Savenye Scholarship deadline – June 3, 2016. Application Link FGM 2016 – Prince George, September 22-26, … Continue reading
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Thanks to CVN Birders From Mexico
A note of thanks has been passed along to the CVN birders group, from a CVN member who has for several years connected with a group in Mexico and supported birders in the community there. “Would love to get these … Continue reading
Bird Outing Report: Comox Beaches, Mar. 24,2016
This Thursday 10 birders including 2 Emily Carr students went to Point Holmes, Kye Bay, and Air Force Beach. We had 34 species , the highlight was seeing Harlequin Duck in breeding plumage up close. Brant Surf Scoter White-winged Scoter … Continue reading
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Botany Outing Report: Morrison Park, Mar. 14, 2016
The Botany Group met at Karin’s on Robert Lang Drive for lunch and meeting before a walk in Roy Morrison Nature Park. The Park ( accessed from Embleton Crescent) includes a large number of magnificent mature broadleaf maples, swathed in … Continue reading
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Bird Outing Report: One Spot Trail, Mar. 17,2016
This morning birders went to the One Spot Trail for a little early spring birding. Weather was cool but sunny and the birds were fairly active and singing. Highlight was five species of woodpecker, including two pairs of Red-breasted Sapsuckers. … Continue reading
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