CVN Facebook Posts
Hands Off Old Growth, this Sunday October 4th in Simms Park:
Join Comox Valley Nature for a walk to celebrate Comox trees on Saturday, October 3, 2026. We will meet in the parking lot of the Comox Tennis Courts at 1:00 p.m. This 1.5 to 2 hour walk will be led by tree lovers Alora Griffin and Barbara Neilson. The number of participants is limited, and registration is required. RSVP on our events page at comoxvalleynaturalist.bc.ca/events/We will walk beneath the graceful boughs of some of Comox’s glorious trees, while enjoying their surroundings and the ambience they create for us. The trees selected will include examples of all the native trees now protected by the Town of Comox, as well as some exotic trees.We will discuss their biological features and historical significance as we amble along Brooklyn Creek and through Filberg Park and other parts of Comox. The path through Brooklyn Creek is uneven and there are stairs to climb. Bring your curiosity and questions as well as a water bottle and sun or rain protection, if needed. Please wear comfortable walking shoes. Children are welcome but please leave your furry friends at home, except for service dogs.This event is free, but donations are welcome.
The Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis laingi) is a top-level avian predator in mature and old coastal rainforests and is considered an indicator species of these habitats, as well as an indicator of forest health and biodiversity.Over half of the global range of this subspecies occurs in coastal British Columbia, where it favours mature coniferous forest. This non-migratory bird needs a relatively large home range that contains a good food supply. Despite some recent habitat protection efforts, continuing habitat loss is predicted, in part because of anticipated short rotation times in forest harvest. On Haida Gwaii, populations are very low and face an added risk from declines of prey species due to forest understory losses associated with high levels of browsing from an introduced population of deer.The Gitsegukla Huwilp of the Gitxsan.have drafted a petition to call for the legal protection of Northern Goshawks. These birds are keystone species in the Skeena Natural Resource Region which covers northwest British Columbia and includes the northern half of the Great Bear Rainforest. The coastal subspecies of Northern Goshawk on Haida Gwaii is the most vulnerable.The petition urges the Province of British Columbia to recognize and implement Regionally Important Wildlife protection for the Northern Goshawk. To sign please go to form.jotform.com/261745367749068For more information on the Goshawk visit www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/species-risk-public-registry/cosewic-assessm...
Our partners in conservation; CV Land Trust & Conservation Partnership are crowdfunding to purchase a very ecologically important property in Deep Bay.
Comox Valley Nature invites its members and the public to CVN’s September general meeting, this Sunday, September 27th.This month John Neilson will be speaking on “The Challenges in Maintaining an Urban Salmon Population – the Brooklyn Creek Story”Streams in urban environments that support healthy Pacific salmon populations are uncommon, as natural watercourses are often degraded or even buried during the course of development of roads and other urban infrastructure. Of the various Pacific salmon species, coho salmon show special abilities to survive and even thrive in close proximity to human settlements. In this talk, John Neilson reviews the status of coho salmon in the region, and explores the characteristics of this species that promote their resilience. He will also speak of the work of the Brooklyn Creek Watershed Society as they work to conserve the watershed in Comox.Dr. John Neilson has had a 30-year long career as a research scientist with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, including leading research on the population status and ecology of bluefin tuna and swordfish in Canadian waters. He was also a member of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), and most recently, led the preparation of the status report on chinook salmon in southern British Columbia. He is the President of the Brooklyn Creek Watershed Society.A brief business meeting follows. Reports from some of our interest groups and projects are an opportunity for guests to learn more about what we do.
Author Archives: web_admin
Old growth forests and the Marbled Murrelet
We know many reasons why old-growth forests should be conserved. One reason that has been in the mainstream news in recent times (and earlier) is the Marbled Murrelet, particularly in the Fairy Creek watershed. (For example, see this story in … Continue reading
Posted in Birds, Conservation and Restoration, Ecology
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New article: Thermoregulation in sea lions
In a second fascinating long-form article by CVN member Véronique McIntyre, we learn about the why’s and how’s of sea-lion behaviour like that in this photo. Read the article here: “Some Like It Hot: Thermoregulation in Sea Lions“. If you … Continue reading
Botany on the Trent River trail (part 2)
From an email by Jocie to the Botany/Mycology Group on June 21. Click a photo to enlarge it. Here are some more of Véronique’s lovely photos of seeds (first 6) and flowers (last 6) from our visit to the Trent … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, Plants and fungi
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Spherical panoramas now in Nature Viewing Guide!
As the result of a recent project, our online Nature Viewing Guide now features a new photographic element: spherical (360º) panoramas. These great images give you a birds-eye view of the location. Try the one above (tip: when the static … Continue reading
Posted in News, Photography
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Black Swift workshop at SWI
Strathcona Wilderness Institute (SWI) is sponsoring a workshop on July 15 by Birds Canada on birding and the Black Swift. See the details in the poster below.
Tidepooling at Point Holmes with Rick Harbo
On June 4, 2023, the Shoreline Group enjoyed an excellent outing at Point Holmes with special guest leader Rick Harbo. You can download the full trip report and a list of species observed. Below are photos of a few of … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, Shoreline and Marine
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Tia Nu’u, CVN Bursary recipient, 2023
Tiare Nu’u, a graduate of Isfeld Secondary School, is the 2023 recipient of the CVN Bursary. She will study Biological Sciences at Queen’s University. Her program will include environmental science in order to pursue her passion for nature and environmental … Continue reading
Botany on the Trent River trail (part 1)
From an email by Jocie to the Botany/Mycology Group on June 21. Click a photo to enlarge it. On Monday we enjoyed a leisurely ramble along the ridge above the Trent River, accessing the trail from the end of Hatton … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, Molluscs, Plants and fungi
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Paradise Meadows – spring 2023
Notes and photos by Alison M. distributed by email to the Botany Group on June 18. Click a photo to enlarge it. The main Boardwalk loop in Paradise Meadows is now clear of snow. The abnormally hot weather in May … Continue reading
Posted in Plants and fungi
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Strathcona Wilderness Institute events
This summer the Strathcona Wilderness Institute (SWI) is planning workshops and hikes that will be of interest to CVN members and others. The first workshop is an Introduction to iNaturalist by Loys Maingon on June 25 (pre-registration required). For details … Continue reading
Posted in Miscellaneous, News
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