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.
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Learn about white pine blister rust in Strathcona Park
Comox Valley Nature members and the general public are invited to attend the following free online lecture presented by the Strathcona Wilderness Institute: Title: Investigating White Pine Blister Rust in Strathcona ParkSpeaker: Kaitlyn Kuzma-WellsDate: Sunday, September 5, 2021Time: 7:00 p.m. … Continue reading
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A few aquatic plants
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on August 26. There are many beautiful, intriguing aquatic plants that often escape our notice, especially since some are totally submerged (maybe botanical snorkeling would be fun?). Here are a few … Continue reading
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August blooms at Paradise Meadows
Photos and notes by Alison M., distributed to the Botany Group on August 22. Click a photo to enlarge it. King gentians (Gentiana sceptrum) are now in full bloom in the Meadows (photos 1 and 2) – though remember that … Continue reading
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Charlotte Kimmins, CVN Bursary recipient, 2021
The CVN Bursary Committee is pleased to announce that the winner of the 2021 CVN Bursary is Charlotte Kimmins of G.P. Vanier Secondary. Charlotte is planning to pursue a double undergraduate Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences and Engineering at Queen’s … Continue reading
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Plants of lakes and roadsides (and old ketchup)
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on July 14. In early July I did some exploring around the Whymper Lake area (across the Strathcona dam, west of Campbell River). Here are a few photos (mostly botany…and other … Continue reading
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Paradise Meadows: Winter to summer in 3 weeks
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on July 12, with photos from Alison M. Despite being laid up with a broken wrist and having to type with one hand, Alison has come through with some colourful photos … Continue reading
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Vanier Garry oaks project next step – delegation to Courtenay Council
In March, our Board of Directors approved a CVN proposal for a restoration and stewardship pilot project to protect and enhance Garry oaks in Vanier Forest. Much research and planning work has already been done by a dedicated team of … Continue reading
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Botanizing on the Strathcona Bird Search
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on June 14. Last weekend I was up in Strathcona Park for the annual Strathcona Bird Search, which is always very enjoyable even if the weather was cool and showery. Though … Continue reading
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2021 CVN Tree of the Year winner announced!
By Kerri Scott For the first time, the annual “CVN Tree of the Year” has been chosen by public vote instead of by committee. The contest, inspired by European tradition and now in its fourth year, fosters a strong connection … Continue reading
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Paradise Meadows not yet clear
Notes and photos from Alison M. on some of the first flowers blooming in the subalpine and other observations, distributed to the Botany Group on June 13. Click a photo to enlarge it. We were up at Paradise Meadows last … Continue reading
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