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At our upcoming general meeting we will host Dr Gerry Allen who will speak to us about plant diversity in BC and BioblitzesBC has the highest plant diversity in Canada due to the high diversity of ecosystems. The BC Conservation Data Centre maintains a complete and regularly revised list of all plant species in the province (whether common or rare, native or not). However, we want to know more than just the list. Where are species found? In what habitats? Are they becoming more common or less? Bioblitzes (concentrated searches for species in a particular time and place) provide new information, especially for less well-known groups like mosses and lichens. Dr. Allen will describe some plant biodiversity results from recent bioblitzes on Calvert and Quadra islands. She will also discuss rare species, which typically require more targeted searches. An example is the discovery of many new populations of the currently threatened Hibberson’s trillium (Trillium hibbersonii). Continuing field observations by knowledgeable observers are an essential part of these discoveries and are critical to keeping diversity assessments current.
Dr. Gerry Allen is a retired professor of biology but continues working on a number of ongoing projects. Her research is broadly focused on the evolution, ecology and conservation biology of plants. Current and recent projects in her lab include the ecology of arctic-alpine plants, especially migration in response to post-glacial climate change, and the reproductive ecology of rare plants. She was also the curator of the University of Victoria Herbarium for many years.
This will be a hybrid meeting (in-person and video conference). We encourage members and the public to attend the in-person meeting. Members (only) who cannot attend can participate via videoconference. The link to join the Zoom meeting will be sent to members by email before the meeting.
After the keynote presentation there will be a break with coffee/tea, goodies and socializing, followed by the business part of the meeting. This consists mainly of brief reports from our interest groups and projects, an opportunity for guests to learn more about what we do.
Courtenay Rotary Trail Pulling Together event:Date: Saturday, October 25 from 1:00 to 3:30
Join friends and neighbours in clearing English ivy along the Rotary Trail and in Dogwood Park.
Bring garden gloves hand pruners and a garden fork or digging shovel if you have them. Bring water to drink, dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes.
Max 12 people
Meet at the junction of Courtenay Rotary Trail and the end of 21 St Courtenay.
To add your name to the wait list or a list for future Pulling Together work parties or to cancel your reservation, please email Karen at
Caring for Trees in a time of Drought.Saturday, October 25th from 11:00 to 12:30
This summer's drought was hard on plants in our environment. The trees in your yard may have responded to this stress. Our next knowledge walk will help you to learn how to keep your trees healthy and thriving.
Join Verna Mumby as we look at the effects of drought and climate change on trees.
This knowledge walk will be held on a semi-rural property in east Courtenay. Taking these trees as a sample, we will look for signs of drought stress, and indications of healthy growth. We will examine factors such as hydrology, disease vectors and soil compaction.
We will discuss watering and other methods of mitigating stress.
Meeting location will be sent before the walk.
Bring binoculars to examine higher branches. Wear sturdy footwear and dress for the weather. We will be walking on uneven ground and over tree roots and rocks.
This walk will be cancelled if winds are high.
Register at our events page cvnature.ca/eve#TreeoftheYeare#comoxvalleya#treest#urbanforesto#droughtought
The Comox Valley Nature photo group was at it again last night.Here are a few of the many great shots and associated stories that were told. Species and photographer revealed as you look at each photo.
Join Comox Valley Naturalist Society botanists as we explore the Cumberland Community Forest on October 11th from 1 to 3:00 pm.Our focus will be on lush ferns and mosses, as well as the early fungi that the recent rains have brought out. The trail is gently sloping but do expect many thick and entangled roots. It can be slippery at times if it has rained recently.
Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. The walk is not a loop so if you need to shorten the walk you will need to retrace your steps.
Bring a hand lens if you have one, since mosses and many small plants look much better when enlarged. Binoculars used the “wrong” way make very good magnifiers.
This walk is free. Register at
Donations are welcome as they allow us to continue our programming.
There is a full heated washroom facility in the Cumberland Rec. Centre parking lot on Sutton Rd and Dunsmuir (entrance from Sutton Rd).No dogs allowed. Please do not come if you are ill. Thank you for your consideration.
Directions: From downtown Courtenay head south on Cliffe Avenue, past Driftwood Mall. Turn right onto Comox Valley Parkway. This will take you straight into Cumberland as it passes under Hwy 19. The Parkway becomes Cumberland Road. Continue down Cumberland road as it veers to the left and becomes 4th Street. Turn right onto Dunsmuir Ave at the Esso station. Follow Dunsmuir to Sutton Ave and turn left. At the bottom of the hill Sutton becomes Comox Lake Avenue and curves sharply to the right. Park on the verge of Comox Lake avenue. The entrance to the Cumberland Community Forest is at the sharp turn. Walk south from the entrance for about 50 m until you see the interpretive sign marking the trails where we’ll meet.
#cumberlandcommunityforest
#botany #comoxvalley
Author Archives: web_admin
Recording for talk on growing old-growth forests
Comox Valley Nature hosted the following presentation at our May 2025 general meeting: Title: Growing Old Growth: The relationships that define the future of our forestsSpeaker: Tal Engel (WolfTree Integrative Forest Rehabilitation)Date: Sunday, May 25, 2025 Our own recording of … Continue reading
Posted in Conservation and Restoration, Ecology, Guest Speakers
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Learn about growing old-growth forests at our next general meeting
Comox Valley Nature members and the general public are invited to CVN’s May general meeting. where you can hear the following keynote presentation by our guest speaker: Title: Growing Old Growth: The relationships that define the future of our forestsSpeaker: … Continue reading
Posted in Conservation and Restoration, Ecology, Guest Speakers
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Botany at Ruth Masters Greenway, April 2025
The Botany Group’s early-spring field trip to Ruth Masters Greenway on April 1 (repeated on April 12) was a followup to the winter outing in January. Although plenty of spring growth was visible, including some flowers, observing bark, branches and … Continue reading
Posted in Ecology, Field Trips, Learning material, Plants and fungi
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Audio and slides for “Bird Friendly” Comox talk
Comox Valley Nature hosted the following presentation at our April 2025 general meeting: Title: The Bird Friendly Cities Initiative in ComoxSpeakers: Robert McLennan, James MacKenzie, Dianna TalbotDate: Sunday, April 27, 2025 The presentation was in two parts. Robert and James … Continue reading
Posted in Birds, Conservation and Restoration, Guest Speakers
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Learn about the Comox “Bird Friendly” initiative at our next general meeting
Comox Valley Nature members and the general public are invited to CVN’s April general meeting. where you can hear the following keynote presentation by our guest speaker: Title: The Bird Friendly Cities Initiative in ComoxSpeakers: Robert McLennan, James MacKenzie, Dianna … Continue reading
Posted in Birds, Conservation and Restoration, General Meetings, Guest Speakers
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Botany at Lazo Marsh, March 2025
The Botany Group made a late-winter visit to Lazo Marsh on March 4 (repeated on March 15) to continue identifying plants without the aids of leaves, flowers or fruits. This was the first trip that repeated the usual first Tuesday … Continue reading
Posted in Ecology, Field Trips, Learning material, Plants and fungi
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Recordings for the two March meeting talks
Comox Valley Nature hosted the following keynote presentation at our March 2025 general meeting: Title: Introduction to the Little River Enhancement SocietySpeaker: Henry Ellis and Don Hicks (Little River Enhancement Society)Date: Sunday, March 23, 2025 If you missed this event … Continue reading
Posted in Birds, Conservation and Restoration, Guest Speakers
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Learn about pronghorn antelope in Alberta
The Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists invites CVN members and the general public to attend the following free online lecture: Title: All paths stop at the fence: Pronghorn antelope management in southern AlbertaSpeaker: Paul Jones (Alberta Conservation Association)Date: Thursday, April … Continue reading
Posted in Conservation and Restoration, Guest Speakers, Mammals
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Learn about the Little River Enhancement Society
Comox Valley Nature members and the general public are invited to CVN’s March general meeting for the following keynote presentation: Title: Introduction to the Little River Enhancement SocietySpeakers: Henry Ellis and Don HicksDate: Sunday, March 23, 2025Time: 3:00 p.m. PTLocation: … Continue reading
Posted in Conservation and Restoration, General Meetings, Guest Speakers
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Recording for talk on Kus-kus-sum restoration
Comox Valley Nature hosted the following presentation at our October 2024 general meeting: Title: An Overview of the Kus-kus-sum Restoration ProjectSpeaker: Caitlin Pierzchalski (Project Watershed)Date: Sunday, October 27, 2024 If you missed this event or would like to see it … Continue reading
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