Author Archives: web_admin

Featured plant: Horsetail and scouring rush

This post is by Jocie Brooks, leader of the Botany Group, adapted from her email to members of the group on May 12. General notes Horsetail and scouring rush are distinctive plants, with bamboo-like jointed stems and a strange rough-to-touch … Continue reading

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Odd trilliums: An explanation

Loys Maingon provided the following explanation for the trilliums with double and triple flowers reported in the previous post Strange Trilliums! The answer to the question about the trillium is one that I have often given to questions on my … Continue reading

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BCWF “Map Our Marshes” workshop goes virtual

On March 19 we reported on the free Cumberland Map Our Marshes workshop to be held by the BC Wildlife Federation in June. Here is updated information received from BCWF. BCWF’s Wetlands Education Program is going virtual! To do our … Continue reading

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Featured plant: Stinging nettle

This post is by Jocie Brooks, leader of the Botany Group, adapted from her email to members of the group on May 4. Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica ssp. gracilis) General notes Many people first learn about stinging nettle the hard … Continue reading

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Strange trilliums!

This post is by Jocie Brooks, leader of the Botany Group, from an email to members of the group on April 26. Dawn Moore recently sent me some photos of unusual trilliums, some with double flowers and some even stranger … Continue reading

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The marten and the woodpecker

Nancy St. Hilaire recently related this experience to the Birding Group. On April 12 I was doing my usual route near and through the Millard Creek Nature Park.  I check on the progress of two Pileated Woodpecker nest cavities. Captain … Continue reading

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Invasive plant: Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata)

This post is by Jocie Brooks, leader of the Botany Group, from an email to members of the group on April 27. I was out walking along the Puntledge River recently (downstream from the Condensory Bridge on the Courtenay side), … Continue reading

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Featured plant: Gnome plant

This post is by Jocie Brooks, leader of the Botany Group, from an email to members of the group on April 20. Joy recently sent in a photo of a gnome plant from the Maple Lake area near Cumberland. This unusual … Continue reading

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Featured plant: Coltsfoot

This post is by Jocie Brooks, leader of the Botany Group, from an email to members of the group on April 15. I recently came across a nice patch of coltsfoot at the entrance to the Nile Creek trail (inland … Continue reading

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CVN COVID-19 response (April 19)

Notice to CVN Members, Group Chairs, Walk Leaders, and Work Parties The CVN Board encourages all members to follow the current provincial guidelines regarding physical distancing, hand washing, and avoiding non-essential trips to public places. A full list of BC … Continue reading

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