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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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Tree of the Year 2020: Cycle Tour Challenge
Karen Cummins contributed this article to encourage you to visit the trees nominated for Tree of the Year 2020. Our family loves to cycle and it is our usual mode of transport whenever possible. For viewing special trees in our … Continue reading
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Nominees for Tree of the Year 2020
Although there will be only one winner of the Tree of the Year contest, all the nominated trees have interest and value. The CVN Board suggests that members (in household groups only) get out and enjoy these trees as part … Continue reading
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Rare Denman Island fern, and more
Jocie passed along these additional photos and notes from John B. to the Botany Group on June 2. The beautiful coastal woodfern (Dryopteris arguta) is blue-listed and grows on my friend’s cliffs on Denman Island. Hairy honeysuckle (Lonicera hispidula) is showing at … Continue reading
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More estuary blooms!
From an email by Jocie B. to members of the Botany Group on May 30. John B. sent in these great photos of more outstanding estuary blooms. I’m not sure if these are blooming yet so if you want to go … Continue reading
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Paradise Meadows is clear
Jocie passed this message from Alison M. to the Botany Group on May 31. In the past two weeks the warm weather and rain have cleared the boardwalks and paths of the treacherous rotting snow from the loops in Paradise … Continue reading
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K’omoks estuary in bloom
From an email by Jocie Brooks to members of the Botany Group on May 26. This week, I’d like to draw attention to our amazing estuary, which is full of fascinating plants, many of which are now in bloom. Experience the … Continue reading
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Featured plant: Tiny veronicas (speedwells)
From an email by Jocie Brooks to members of the Botany Group on May 18. Backyard micro-botany Staying closer to home this spring, I am noticing just how many plants, wanted and unwanted, are in my backyard. This year, I … Continue reading
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Weekend shoreline wonders
From an email by Randal Mindel to members of the Shoreline Group on May 13. Last weekend saw the passing of a strong tide cycle that took the group out to lots of nearby beaches. Below are some photos and … Continue reading
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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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