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
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
Posted in Plants and fungi, Wetland Restoration
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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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Interesting tides and reads
This post is by Randal Mindell, leader of the CVN Shoreline Group, from an email to members of the group on April 15. Hope this finds you all well. We just passed through a great set of spring tides over … Continue reading
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Citizen Science in BC Parks
CVN members may be interested in the following information that we received from Kelly Fretwell of the BC Parks Foundation. The text has been lightly edited for use on the website. If you’re receiving this email I’ve likely contacted you … Continue reading
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