AGM 2013 – Along the Fraser – Adapting to
Change Abbotsford-Mission Nature Club – May 2-5, 2013 – Registration in
Spring Magazine and our website
February 28, 2013 – Deadline for BC Nature Awards
nominations. Please contact the office for further information or visit: our website
Deadline for BC Nature Resolutions
Feb 14 – 18 – Great Backyard Bird Count
April 4, 2013 -Rene Savenye Scholarships
applications must be sent to the office. Information can be found here
Skagit Valley Bird Blitz – May 10-12, 2013
Mt. Robson Provincial Park Bird Blitz – June 7-9,
2013
Manning Park Bird Blitz – June 14-16,
2013
BC NATURE BYLAW CHANGES
BC Nature bylaws are governed by the Society Rules and as
such, we are giving our members notice of changes to our bylaws to be voted on
at the AGM in Abbotsford May 4, 2013. The majority of proposed changes are
housekeeping of verbage based on the structure of BC Nature Executive and our
Federated Club membership. To find the overview and also the marked up copy of
our current bylaws to show where the changes are occuring, please visit our
website. Proposed Bylaw motions can also be found on our website and will also
be printed in the Spring Magazine. A complete list of our current bylaws and the
changes that are being voted on will be posted as well. Please Download here
Issue
29
Date
February
Evening Grosbeak
Participate in the 2013
Great Backyard Bird Count
A
fun, family event in your own backyard! Next GBBC: Feb. 15-18, 2013 You can
create your GBBC account starting Feb. 15 when you enter your first checklist.
Please visit the Great Backyard Bird Count Website
Cats – Cats – Cats
Its
been a flurry of cat activity over the last week to 10 days between BC Nature
and the media. BC Nature has spent alot of time on talk shows, newspaper
articles. Both the original resolution that was presented to the member back at
AGM 2011 and the US Study can be found on our website.
Overwhelming Response to Tofino Club
Due
to the overwhelming response that we received on the BC Nature Tofino Spring
Camp, the good folks over at Barkley Sound Marine in Tofino have opened up
another week. This is not sponsored by BC Nature, but will have many of the same
activities. The camp committee are trying to put the Tofino Camp on again in the
spring of 2014, not only once, but twice!! Stay tuned for further details in the
Fall. Below are the details if you wish to attend the Ecolodge Tofino week on
your own. BARKLEY SOUND MARINE and RAINFOREST FIELD CAMP 2013 SPRING MIGRATION TO BEAUTIFUL BARKELY SOUND Saturday March 23 – Tuesday
March 26, 2013
Join spring migrating Gray whales and seabirds to the
West Coast on a fantastic west coast adventure to Bamfield located in the heart
of Barkley Sound.
The 4-day field camp will include bird and marine mammal
watching, low-tide explorations of beautiful Brady’s beach, walks in ancient
temperate rainforests, and trips to the sea lion colonies and islands of the
Deer Group. Two boat trips allow for off-shore birding, gray whale observations,
and a tour of the Broken Group Islands, Pacific Rim national Park. Evenings will
include informative presentations and films. Bring your favourite slide show or
home video featuring the theme of “Spring Migrations” to win a prize!
Hosted
by the marine educators of the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre Public Education
Centre. 24-36 spaces are available. Registration Dead line is March 2, 2013,
when a 50% deposit is due. Cost: “under construction”
Housing is provided in
the BMSC Buchanan Residence and/or cabins (shared bathrooms). Meals are provided
in the BMSC Cafeteria. The program is scheduled to allow for arrival and
departure aboard the MV Frances Barkley out of Port Alberni (what a great way to
start and end your marine adventure-www.ladyrosemarine.com [250-723-8313]-ask
about group rates). For more information on how to get to Bamfield, visit our
website or give us a call. For more information, please contact: Public
Education Program, Bamfield marine Sciences Centre -250-728-3301 ext 226 or
email: http://www.bms.bc.ca/pubed.html
Need a student this summer for some of your activties – Summer Jobs
Hiring
Service
Canada is offering a Canada Summer Jobs 2013 initiative in which not-for-profit
organizations, public-sector employers and small businesses with 50 or fewer
employees who create summer job opportunities may receive funding support to
provide students with summer employment. For more information, please see their
website . Please note that the application period is February 1 to February 28,
2013. In addition, if you are looking to fill your summer positions this year,
please consider participating in “Now Hiring!” Fair at UFV on March 13, 2013.
Feel free to reply to this message or call us at 604.854.4507. Thank you. UFV
Career Centre | | 604.854.4507
Tidal energy-generating turbines pitched for Island
waters
Please
view the article written in the “Times Colonist” recently – here On the same page are further links to some
of the Scientific Studies on this subject.
Interesting Sites and articles
This
video is awesome – after you open this link, please hit the small “x” in the
corner to close the “Nag Screen” – Visit this site
Douglas
College hosts free forum on eco-friendly approach to de-bugging your garden –
Saturday, May 12, 1pm, in the Laura C. Muir Performing Arts Theatre, fourth
floor, Douglas College, 700 Royal Ave., New Westminster. For more information –
please visit: website
Public Meeting – February 16
(Tomorrow) – The Second Container Port on Roberts Bank – Where? – Sundance Inn
Banquet Hall – Delta, BC at 2:00 pm For more info please check out this website
By the Riverside Society of BC -Sustainable Living Leadership
Program – For Ages 19 – 35 Students – for more information and application,
please visit here
Creston Valley Bird Fest, scheduled
for May 10 & 11 is brand new. It is to be a celebration of the birds, the
art, and the agriculture of the Creston Valley. Please check out our website: website: and come and join us.
Combine the love of Food with your love
of Nature – “Dine For Nature” – February 25 – sponsored by Pinnacle Hotel in
North Vancouver as a fundraiser for Nature Trust. 15% of the proceeds of dinner
on the 25th get donated! for more information on the Pinnacle – please visit
their website
Recap of – State of Canada’s Species at Risk
Canada’s
independent science body, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in
Canada, released assessments of 42 species this winter, some of which were
reviewed for the first time. Wood Thrush, American Badger, Striped Bass and
others are highlighted in this recap on Nature Canada’s blog.
Enbridge Updates
Doctor
describes Harper government “pathology” at Kelowna JRP – article here
A 16-year-old’s testimony at
Enbridge Northern Gateway JRP – a must read for your children and grandchildren
– Here
Endangered spotted owls reach crisis point
Please
view this thought provoking article in the Vancouver Sun – Article Here
After reading this article,
please read a response below:
Scientists have warned for decades that the
endangered northern spotted owl would become extirpated in Canada unless
sufficient habitat were protected. This has not been done, and the owls are now
on the brink of extirpation. As the article indicates, the prognosis for success
of the government’s approach — captive breeding and release of spotted owls and
culling of barred owls — is not promising. In any event, survival of the owls
through human intervention rather than protecting habitat does not constitute
“recovery,” and was not the intent of the Species at Risk Act. Meanwhile,
logging continues in spotted owl habitat.
“Psssst! Do you need Aleutian Tern for your list?
Check
out this amazing fundraising trip for the Rocky Point Bird Observatory Birding
the Tatshenshini-Alsek River by Raft: June 21-July 4, 2013 Ptarmigan, Aleutian
Terns, Icebergs, Glaciers and more. Rocky Point Bird Observatory and Canadian
River Expeditions have teamed up to develop this exciting birding and rafting
trip. This trip will take us through some of the most spectacular and rugged
scenery in North America and will give us a chance to find some of the iconic
birds of the St. Elias Mountains. The naturalist/birder on the trip is biologist
Dave Fraser who has birded the Tatshenshini and Alsek Rivers for the past 18
years. Dave’s bird list and more information are available here
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.