Skagit Bird Blitz – May 9 – 11, 2014 (Further information in Spring Magazine)
Deadline to apply for Rene Savenye Scholarship by May 30, 2013
Manning Park Bird Blitz – June 20 – 22, 2014 (Information in Spring Magazine)
FGM 2014 – Hosted by the Shuswap Naturalists – September 25 – 28, 2014. Salmon & Shorebirds – Incredible Journey
AGM 2014 – Victoria, BC – your hosts Victoria Natural History Society and the Rocky Point Bird Observatory
“Registration is now open for ‘Coastal Connections’ the Annual General Meeting of BC Nature to be held in Victoria May 1 – 4, 2014, hosted by the Rocky Point Bird Observatory and the Victoria Natural History Society – Link here . There will be a wide range of interesting talks, inspiring field trips, a banquet, reception at the Bateman Centre and lots of opportunities to meet like-minded naturalists. Don’t miss it!”
Issue 39
Date February 2014
CAMPS 2014
Updates Tofino and Nicola Valley Camps are full with a waiting list. Wells Gray Park – Please note instructions below – Phone in instructions, costs etc. Updated.
Wells Gray Camp
Hosted by the Kamloops Naturalists, this camp is sure to fill up quick. To that end, please review the details below: Wells Gray Park – Camp 1 – August 14 – 17, 2014 This four-day camp allows people to explore the wonders of Wells Gray Provincial Park. Day trips and talks include, flora and fauna, fire and ice (volcanos and glaciers), the pioneering experience and the Clearwater River. Dynamic trip leaders will make this a worthwhile adventure for all participants! Price $300.00 * * Price includes all meals, outings – Accomodation is separate and is listed on our website. To reserve your spot – Registration – 10:00 am – March 30, 2014- Teresa Corboy – 250-376-7505 Wells Gray Park – Alpine Trek – Note Date Change: August 13 – 17, 2014 – Price Reduced to $795.00 (+GST) Registration – 9:00 am – March 30, 2014 – Teresa Corboy – 250-320-0889
Please note: Registration Phone numbers and times are different but the date is the same! Please specify when calling for your camp reservation – “Alpine Trek” or “Park Camp.”
How about some good News?
1) I’m sure all of us are pleased that the Prosperity Mine Project has been turned down again. However, the provincial government is encouraging them to apply again. At least one of the commentators on CKNW radio is very cynical about the decision. He thinks Prosperity has been turned down so that British Columbians will be more receptive to approving Northern Gateway. Figure that one.
2)More good news. The Off Road Vehicle Act Bill has been introduced by Minister Thomson in the Legislative Assembly for First Reading. Please see Link for the news release – Link Here
The brochure in the following link provides a layperson description of how a bill becomes Law link Here’s the weblink to Legislative Broadcasting
Interesting Sites and articles
Wolves Change Rivers – link Monarch Butterfly – Monsanto pesticides are killing tens of millions of monarch butterflies across North America. Read More
The world is better when charities are heard Link
Meet Nature Canada’s Women for Nature Link
Save Summerland Farmland
We need your help now! Please send a handwritten letter expressing your support for the preservation of Summerland’s agricultural land to the Agricultural Land Commission at this address: Provincial Agricultural Land Commission
133-4940 Canada Way Burnaby, BC V5G 4K6 The proposed Official Community Plan that would remove some of the best farming land in Summerland from the ALR was passed in its first reading before Council earlier this month. There will be a public hearing about the issue Monday, 3 March 2014 before Council votes on it a second and third time. We will do our best to present our case convincingly at the public hearing but we expect that Council will vote in favour of the new plan nevertheless. If it is passed, the land swap proposal will come before the Agricultural Land Commission who will make the final decision on the matter–which is why we need you to write to the ALC as soon as possible. In addition to writing to the ALC, you can also speak at the public hearing or write a letter to the Mayor and Council. Their address is:
Summerland Municipal Hall 13211 Henry Road Summerland, BC V0H 1Z0 If you don’t know what to say, please visit the facts and misconceptions page on our website or email us at and we can help you out with our talking points.
Erin Carlson and the rest of the Stop the Swap group
Your Executive and Conservation Committee Hard at Work
Feb 28, Letter sent to Minister Thomson, Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources Operations, regarding BC Nature’s concerns with Bill 5, which would extend grazing tenures. Concerns (1) with granting tenures on conservation lands which do not belong to the Crown, but were purchased through Land Trusts and (2), extending the term of grazing tenures within Provincial Parks and Protected Areas. The present length of tenures for Parks and Protected Areas are a sufficiently long enough term with parks and protected areas. Feb 24, Letter to federal Minister Shea, Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, responding to her reply (Jan 21st) to BC Nature’s letter (Dec 10th), regarding our concerns that the recommendations from the Cohen Commission are not being implemented. Her reply did not cover several aspects of our original questions, so BC Nature sent a follow-up letter. Feb 20, Letter to Minister Polak, Ministry of Environment, expressing concerns with Bill 4, the Park Amendment Act, and its sweeping changes that could undermine the purposes and intent of BC’s protected areas.
About Town
June 26 – June 29, 2014 – Metchosin International Summer School of the Arts (MISSA). MISSA 2014 will follow the Botany BC 2014 gathering at Pearson College. We will be having two 5-day courses on Botany. For more information and registration – please follow this Link Vancouver Bird Week 2014 . This year we are happy to have four evening lecture/presentations at the downtown Vancouver Library on top of a number of other fun bird related events including artist workshops, bird walks and workshops, and exhibitions around Vancouver.
The URL for the event isn’t active yet but should be by next week (March 7th). URL will be www.vancouver.ca/birdweek. All events are free, but some will require registration so they will have to follow through on the website.
Red-Tail Hawk Photos Needed
Our trial project bloc/web-site is at http://bcredtails.wordpress.com. Our primary goal is to get good images of Red-tailed Hawks from around the province to look for patterns in the plumage distributions that might tell us something about hawk populations. Please visit website here for further information.
To remove your name from our mailing list, please contact the BC Nature Office email us here All email addresses are protected from misuse by BC Nature by way of Blind Carbon Copying these notices. Questions or comments? Contact us via E-mail us at BC Nature
To celebrate our 60th anniversary we invite you to come for a guided stroll on the Courtenay Riverway Heritage Walk with a member of Comox Valley Nature on April 24, 10 am -noon. Learn about the history of this area, including how the former sewage lagoon has become one of the most popular walking spots in the Comox Valley. Check out the restoration work that has replaced invasive plant species and added more native plants, shrubs and trees that is being done by Comox Valley Nature in partnership with the City of Courtenay. Hear why invasive plant species are so damaging to the ecosystems. Enjoy the view from the "lookout" over the estuary and be reminded how important the estuary is to the web of life.REGISTRATION required on our events page cvnature.ca/events An easy 1 km walk on a wheelchair accessible paved path. Dress for the weather and bring a water bottle Sorry, no dogs. This event is free, but donations are welcome.For more information, add your name to a wait list or to cancel your reservation email: . ... See MoreSee Less
To celebrate our 60th anniversary Comox Valley Nature is offering this opportunity to get together with knowledgeable birders to share skills and learn more about birding in the Comox Valley.This outing is designed for beginners, but birders of all levels are welcome. Experienced birders will help with identifying species, equipment, useful apps, and field guides. Both CVN members and the public are welcome on this walk at the Courtenay Airpark which will be on a wide smooth pathway for about 2km round trip. Bring binoculars if you have them. Dress for the weather. Warm clothing necessary – it’s often windy there! Please leave pets at home.Register through our events page at This event is free. Donations welcome.#birding#comoxvalley#iba#courtenay airpark ... See MoreSee Less
To celebrate our 60th anniversary we offer this opportunity to learn more about Garry oaks in the Comox Valley.Vanier Nature Park is home to a small grove of Garry oak trees which is being stewarded by Comox Valley Nature. These oaks are at the northern extent of their range, and are a remnant of a culturally modified ecosystem that once covered 160 square kilometres in the Comox ValleyThis walk will be lead by Geologist Bob Hauser and Forester Terry Lewis. They have spent many hours in the park removing invasive holly. Terry and Bob will look at the work in progress in the grove and share their unique perspective on this forest, with a focus on soil science and tree species.The Vanier Nature Park project is being co-managed by Comox Valley Nature and the City of Courtenay with funding from the City of Courtenay, BC Nature and the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation. Registration required through The walk is partially on level ground with some gentle to moderate uphill walking on a forest trail that has some uneven footing. No dogs please.For more information, to add your name to a wait list or to cancel your reservation, email: Details of the meeting place will be sent to registrants. Please be at the meeting spot at least 10 minutes before the walk starts to sign in. ... See MoreSee Less
To celebrate our 60th anniversary we invite you to come for a guided stroll on the Courtenay Riverway Heritage Walk with a member of Comox Valley Nature on April 24, 10 am -noon. Learn about the history of this area, including how the former sewage lagoon has become one of the most popular walking spots in the Comox Valley. Check out the restoration work that has replaced invasive plant species and added more native plants, shrubs and trees that is being done by Comox Valley Nature in partnership with the City of Courtenay. Hear why invasive plant species are so damaging to the ecosystems. Enjoy the view from the "lookout" over the estuary and be reminded how important the estuary is to the web of life.