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Recent Posts
- SWI workshop: Subalpine mycology 2026
- Entomology and botany at Mt. Washington, July 2026
- Smartphone photography for iNaturalist
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- Learn about the proposed New Forest Act, June 15
- SWI plant diversity workshop, June 28
- Sophia Priestman, CVN Bursary recipient, 2026
- Bruce Moffat’s nature photography talk materials
- BC Nature scholarships available
- Brandt Research Grant 2026 awarded
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CVN Facebook Posts
2 days ago
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 15.3 days ago
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 ...
3 days ago
1 week ago
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 ...
2 weeks ago
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 to Little River, Nov. 26, 2015
This morning turned out to be a beautiful morning….clear, calm, sunny. Ten birders saw the following 43 species: Mallard Harlequin Duck Surf Scoter White-winged Scoter Long-tailed Duck Common Goldeneye Hooded Merganser Red-breasted Merganser Pacific Loon Common Loon Horned Grebe Red-necked … Continue reading
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Bird Outing Report: Courtenay Airpark, Nov. 19, 2015
Thursday November 19th was a cold but sunny morning at the Air Park. Twelve birders saw the following 36 species, the highlights being a flock of 40 Red Crossbills and an immature Cooper’s Hawk. Trumpeter Swan Eurasian Wigeon American Wigeon … Continue reading
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Botany Outing Report: Miracle Beach Park, Nov. 9, 2015
In glorious sunshine on Monday 9th a (baker’s) dozen of us walked around the trails in Miracle Beach examining mosses and liverworts under Jocie’s expert guidance. We saw all of the 10 mosses on page 1 of her handout on … Continue reading
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Bird Outing Report: Oyster Bay, Nov. 5, 2015
This Thursday November 5th thirteen birders went to Oyster Bay and the mouth of the Oyster River where we found 38 species. The morning was cool and sunny but warmed up later. We enjoyed large numbers of the regular winter … Continue reading
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Christmas Bird Counts 2015
This is the first notice of Christmas Bird Counts so mark your calendars! The count dates and contact information are as follows: Comox CBC –- Sunday Dec 20 –- Carol Muirhead : caroljmuirhead at shaw dot ca or call 250-331-0511. … Continue reading
Bird Outing Report: Ships Point, Oct. 29,2015
This Thursday October 29th ten birders went to Fanny Bay and Ship’s Point where we found 44 species. The fog cleared early for a pleasant morning with little wind. We enjoyed large numbers of the regular winter waterbirds. The highlights … Continue reading
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Bird Outing Report: Deep Bay, Oct. 22 , 2015
This Thursday October 22nd ten birders went to Deep Bay where we found 40 species. The fog cleared early for a pleasant morning with no wind. We enjoyed large numbers of the regular winter waterbirds – the highlight was close … Continue reading
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Botany Report: Mushrooms, Oct. 12, 2015
Below is a list of the mushrooms we identified in the woodlands at 6069 Tsolum River Road on October 12th. Thanks, Jocie, for keeping track of them. CVN Botany Group : List of Fungi 6069 Tsolum River Road, October 12th … Continue reading
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Airpark Shoreline Cleanup
Nine hardy folk turned up on Oct. 11, and collected several bags of “stuff”, including 2 shopping carts, one oar, sleeping bag, and part of a bed spring?? maybe. There was also what looked like a very old and deteriorated … Continue reading
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Bird Outing Report: Tyee Spit, Campbell River, Oct. 15, 2015
This Thursday October 15th eight birders went to Tyee Spit, Campbell River, where we saw 42 species. We enjoyed a pleasant, sunny morning with the highlight of huge flocks of waterbirds in feeding frenzies offshore. Several of us went to … Continue reading
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