AGM – Hosted by Central Okanagan Naturalists – May 10 – 13, 2012. Registration and details at BC Nature. Mark this on your calendar and get your registration forms in early!
FGM – 2012 FGM is being co-hosted by Nanoose Naturalists and Arrowsmith Naturalists. Dates are September 27-30th, 2012. This event also should be circled as a no miss event. More info available in the Spring Magazine.
Club Deadlines
Club Grants from the Foundation – due into office by Jan 31, 2012
Deadline for resolutions for the AGM February 28, 2012
BC Nature Awards – nominations accepted up until February 28, 2012 – for both AGM & FGM
Rene Savenye Scholarship – Please apply by April 4, 2012
Camps & Bird Blitz’s Skagit Bird Blitz: May 4 through 6th – 2012 Saltspring Camp – June 4-8, 2012 – now full up – wait list in effect Mt. Robson Bird Blitz – June 9 & 10, 2012 Manning Bird Blitz – June 15 – 17th, 2012 Lillooet Camp – Oct. 1-6th, 2012
Invitation to BC Parks Volunteer Strategy Workshop
As a valued contributor to BC Parks, you are invited to help develop a province-wide volunteer strategy at an upcoming regional workshop.
In 2011, BC Parks celebrated its 100th Anniversary, commemorating the establishment of Strathcona Provincial Park in 1911 and celebrating the creation of almost 1000 parks and protected areas since then. This successful celebration would not have been possible without the valuable contributions from volunteers across the province, more than 2500 volunteers participated!
To build on this success, BC Parks is developing a volunteer strategy to improve the volunteer experience for our existing and future volunteers. Our goal is to develop a strategy over the next few months and launch it in the upcoming summer season. The workshops will provide you with an opportunity to: • Share the work you or your organization has done in support of BC Parks; •Contribute to a discussion about how BC Parks can improve the volunteer experience; •Provide input on future volunteer opportunities you would like to see; and, •Network with BC Parks staff and other volunteer groups. Workshops will be held in February and March in nine locations across the province. You are welcome to attend the workshop location that best fits with your schedule and travel abilities.
Please RSVP to Erick Pay, Project Assistant () based on RSVP dates listed below. You will receive a confirmation email with detailed workshop information no later than two weeks prior to the workshop. If you are unable to participate in any of the workshops, please submit written comments to by March 16, 2012.
If you have any questions about the volunteer strategy, please contact Becs Hoskins, BC Parks Project Manager ().
Please join us at one of the following workshops:
Victoria – February 6, 9 am – 12 pm; RSVP by January 27
Prince George – February 10, 9 am -12 pm; RSVP by January 27
Smithers – February 13, 9 am -12 pm; RSVP by February 3
Vancouver – February 16, 1-4 pm; RSVP by February 3
Penticton – February 20, 1-4 pm; RSVP by February 10
Williams Lake – February 24, 9 am – 12 pm; RSVP by February 10
Miracle Beach – February 28, 1-4 pm; RSVP by February 17
Nelson – March 5, 1-4 pm; RSVP by February 24
Cranbrook – March 7, 9 am – 12 pm; RSVP by February 24
Kamloops – March 12, 9 am – 12 pm; RSVP by February 24
Issue 20
Date January 2012
Snowy Owl – Boundary Bay
Are you Opposed to the Northern Pipeline and Tanker Traffic
Did you miss the deadline for being on the speakers list for the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project Joint Review Panel(Oral presentations)? There is still time to have your opinion heard! Written submissions will be taken up to March 13, 2012 – the How – Where and When links are here There is still plenty of time to send in your submissions. Information pertaining to Enbridge/Pipeline/Tanker traffic and the impact on the BC landscape and waterscape can be found in a myriad of locations. Call the office if you would like more information
Interesting Sites and articles
Explore Inner Wild in the Midst of Nature: Unlikely Duo Who Share Recovery from Addiction & Love of Nature – Link
Blackthroat Luscinia obscura audio file . link
Sensational Bird discover in China Link
For information on Bat – White Nose Syndrome – link
How we can preserve and protect our beautiful coast
You’re invited to a panel discussion about tankers and pipelines and how we can preserve and protect our beautiful coast, Sunday, January 22, from 1-5pm, at the Roundhouse Community Centre. Speakers include Art Sterritt, Executive Director, Coastal First Nations; Rex Weyler, Tanker Free BC, Author, Co-founder of Greenpeace; and Nathan Cullen, former NDP Environment and Natural Resouces Critic, Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP, and NDP Leadership Candidate.
This will be a unique opportunity to talk with First Nations and Environmental Groups about what oil tankers on our coast will mean to us all. There will be ten environmental groups with information tables as well as the panel, so people will have an opportunity to look at information from many sources.
We hope people will come, learn, talk and discuss this important issue. It’s a free event and everyone is welcome.
Description & Schedule Title: Oil Free Coast. Tankers & Pipelines: Preserving and Protecting our Coast Date: January 22, 2012, 1-5pm
Speakers: Art Sterritt, Executive Director, Coastal First Nations Rex Weyler, Tanker Free BC, Author, Co-founder of Greenpeace Nathan Cullen: former NDP Environment & Natural Resources Critic, Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP, NDP Leadership Candidate
Moderator: Leslie Kemp, Coordinator Sustainable Communities Program, Langara College
Music: Ta’Kaiya Blaney, Tla’Amin Environmental Singer Songwriter
Program: 1 pm doors Open: Information tables (environmental groups), Tea/coffee/juice
1:30 Performance by Ta’Kaiya Blaney, Tla’Amin Environmental Singer Songwriter
2-4 Panel discussion: First Nations Blessing, Audrey Fisher, Squamish Elder
Presentations by Art Sterritt, Nathan Cullen and Rex Weyler Questions and discussion with audience (3-4)
4-5 Information tables (environmental groups), refreshments, informal discussion Sponsors: Coastal First Nations & Nathan Cullen, Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP, NDP Leadership Candidate Information: (604) 608-0384 or http://www.facebook.com/events/216911685061355/
Location: Roundhouse Community Centre, Theatre – 181 Roundhouse Mews, Corner of Davie/Pacific, Downtown Vancouver (One block to Yaletown Canada Line Station) More: Free admission ? Everyone is welcome ? Free childcare ? Refreshments ? Wheelchair accessible ? ASL Sign Language Interpreters
Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery Project – Public Comment on Highway 99 Pipeline Route Addendum
Your commments would be appreciated by Feb. 1. The public is invited to obtain information about and comment on the addendum to Vancouver Airport Fuel Facilities Corporation’s application for an environmental assessment certificate for the proposed project. A 21 day public comment period on the application will start on January 11, 2012 and end on February 1, 2012. All written comments received by online form, fax or mail during this time period in relation to the addendum will be considered. View Link and details
AGM Registration
Sunny Kelowna – site of our 2012 AGM – Now accepting registration forms. In 2011, both Williams Lake and Delta Naturalists held a fabulous AGM/FGM (respectively) – the meeting portion is short and will not have you squirming in your seat to go outside to play! There are many great outings, speakers and bird watching events rounded up with a nice wind up banquet. It will be warm enough to camp or motorhome and the list of accomodation is long for those that prefer hotel/motel! Details and REgistration available on BC Nature Website or Central Okanagan Naturalists Club website
News Release- Ministry of Environment
Making progress: BC Parks Investments celebrate BC Parks 100th birthday VICTORIA – British Columbia’s world-class parks system has been enhanced by more than $10.5 million in capital and community legacy investments and free parking for the approximately 20 million annual visitors to ensure our provincial parks are more welcoming for families and visitors to B.C. The Province invested $10.1 million in a range of provincial park projects, including a $1-million upgrade to electrical systems at Golden Ears Park, $135,000 for trail improvements at Horne Lake Caves Park on Vancouver Island, a $193,000 investment in Liard Hot Springs Park facility and a new shower building worth $550,000 in Juniper Park in B.C.’s Thompson region. Projects from wetland restoration in Cypress Park to cultural celebrations at Montague Harbour Marine Park to new foot bridges at West Twin Park have been undertaken through $450,000 in legacy funding, which leveraged an additional $470,000 from communities throughout the province. All legacy improvements were aimed at recreational activities or conservation efforts. Most projects will be completed by March 31, 2012. Quotes: Environment Minister Terry Lake – “BC Parks not only help define us as British Columbians, they are a calling card internationally. They speak to our love of our province, the environment, a healthy lifestyle and they help draw tourists to B.C.” “It’s no surprise that investing in our parks just makes good economic sense. We know that for every dollar spent, we get back more than eight dollars in visitor spending on food, entertainment, transportation, and other goods and services.” Marie Fournier, Cetus Research & Conservation Society – “Cetus Research and Conservation Society was pleased to be part of the Community Legacy Grant initiative. This season we were able to complete some necessary upgrades to a popular marine life viewing area in the Qwiquallaaq/Boat Bay Conservancy Park. These upgrades and the funds received from the Community Legacy Grant have transformed this site for all who visit the area.” Quick Facts: * Parking fees were eliminated from B.C.’s provincial parks on May 3, 2011, making parks more accessible and inviting to families. * The Province invested $450,000 in community groups through the Community Legacy Fund to support improvements to 27 projects throughout the province. Community groups receiving funding through the program are contributing a total of nearly $470,000 in cash and in-kind support for a total project value of nearly $920,000. * BC Parks recently invested $100,000 in 100 new easily accessible picnic tables to be installed in two of B.C.’s busiest provincial parks (Rathtrevor and Golden Ears) throughout 2012. * The 100 Park Benches for 100 Years of BC Parks program allows people to sponsor a park bench and personalize it, at the same time providing 100 new locations for park visitors to sit down and enjoy the spectacular scenery. * BC Parks provided a grant of $5,000 to support Learn to Fish sessions at parks in the Okanagan, Kamloops and Vancouver Island regions – attracting a record number of 2,400 participants. * Park rangers are featured in four Great Ranger videos sharing their experience of working as stewards of B.C.’s wonderful provincial parks. Learn More: * BC Parks: www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/things_to_do.html * Great Ranger videos: http://bit.ly/ooyxPj * Connect with BC Parks on Facebook: www.facebook.com/YourBCParks
Insurance Update
Please have your executive in charge of your meeting rental location double check with the landlord where you are holding your meetings. Please ensure you are not being charged extra for Liability Insurance. It came to my attention today that one of our clubs was paying extra fees to the City for the rental of a hall for their meetings. All that you require from us is an insurance certificate for your club showing your liability coverage. This can be obtained through the office. Please email the office with the name and address of your landlord and if seperate location, the name and address of your meeting venue. You are already paying for this service, do not duplicate payment.
David meets Goliath
Our naturalists club in Kitimat (10 members) had their time in front of the Joint Advisory Panel on Enbridge. For being one of our smallest clubs (10 members),they did an outstanding job with a great presentation! Kudo’s to one of our smallest federated clubs in standing up for Nature against one of the largest and potentially damaging pipeline projects in our province. We can only surmise at how much time and energy this project has taken up with your group and we applaud your efforts. Please few the following link for some of the proceedings at the Kitimaat hearing day. See also the Financial Post link about the Kitimat Naturalists presentation.!
Enbridge Updates and links
Due to the extensive media coverage on the Enbridge issue, we will be putting some links and updates in this section. BC Nature in conjunction with Nature Canada is also an Intervenor and will have links and updates on our website along with Nature Canada as our presentation is reviewed. Thank you to Nature Canada and the BC Nature Conservation team for all of their time and efforts in finalizing our submission. Below you will find links to video and excerpts of news releases that you may find interesting.
Nature Canada – Enbridge Link No tankers Nathan Cullen, MP for Skeena-Bulkley Valley, spoke on Salt Spring several months ago. He told about hiring a small boat and its captain to travel out from Kitimat, following the route that oil tankers would take with bitumen from the tar sands. Cullen was surprised at all the right-angled turns in the narrow fjord. He commented that the huge tankers would have to slow right down to get around the corners safely. The captain laughed: “ You’ve canoed. You know a boat has to keep up speed for steerage around a turn. Otherwise she stalls and drifts.” It doesn’t sound safe. The pipeline backer, Enbridge, says these would be double-hulled tankers. But the tankers would be owned by whatever companies in China and U.S. were hired to transport the bitumen. They might not be double-hulled. Two decades after the Exxon Valdez spill, only seven tankers serving Alaska are double-hulled, while seventeen are not. Exxon continues with cheaper single-hulled tankers on its Alaskan runs. Our shorelines, bays, and fjords need provincial and federal protection from oil tanker traffic.
Join Bird Studies Canada (BSC) and eight other ornithological organizations and societies, as Canada hosts for the first time, the fifth North American Ornithological Conference (NAOC-V). The conference is being organized by the American Ornithologists’ Union, Society of Canadian Ornithologists/Société des Ornithologistes du Canada, BSC, Association of Field Ornithologists, Cooper Ornithological Society, Raptor Research Foundation, La Sociedad para el Estudio y Conservación de las Aves en México (CIPAMEX), Waterbird Society, and Wilson Ornithological Society. It takes place August 14 to 18, 2012 at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Academic and professional ornithologists from every sector of the field, including the research sciences, management, policy, and planning will come together from around the world. Registration opens January 20, 2012. The conference will begin with an opening reception on the evening of August 14, 2012. There will be society council and conservation group meetings, as well as workshops, held prior to the main scientific program at the same venue. One and three-day field trips to some of Vancouver and BC’s most spectacular locations will be offered before and after the scientific program. The four-day scientific program (August 15 to 18) will begin each day with an address by a distinguished plenary speaker and presentation of society awards. The remainder of the daily program will consist of symposia, contributed papers, poster sessions, and networking events. Many exhibitors, including commercial publishers, equipment suppliers, artisans, local groups, and conservation organizations will be present throughout the meeting. We are actively seeking sponsors and exhibitors for the conference – for more information and to view the prospectus, select this ! link.
Urban Wildlife: Challenges and Management
Urban Wildlife: Challenges and Management
April 18-19, 2012 Rocky Mountain Prestige Inn, 209 Van Horne Street South Cranbrook BC
Details, speaker list and registration are at this link Wildlife numbers are increasing within many British Columbia municipalities, leading to more interactions with humans and our infrastructure. Interactions can lead to property damage, public safety issues, public health concerns, impacts on biodiversity, and death or suffering of wildlife. Deer, elk, coyotes, moose, geese, racoons, bears, and other animals can become more than a nuisance, putting themselves and humans at risk. Through a combination of presentations, posters, and field trips, this conference will address the environmental, social, and economic issues related to wildlife in urban settings. We anticipate attendance by a multidisciplinary group of people: provincial, regional district, and municipal staff; biologists; resource managers; First Nations; academics; industry, stewardship groups; and others with an interest in human–wildlife interactions. We have 23 speakers lined up plus an evening presentation by Dr. Michael Proctor about co-existing with grizzly bears in the urban/rural Creston Valley. The list of presentations and posters is here
Questions or comments? Contact us via E-mail us at BC Nature
The New Forest Act Roadshow is a series of public presentations across British Columbia explaining what the New Forest Act is, why BC’s current forestry system is failing, and what a workable legislative solution looks like. Dave Weaver and Jennifer Houghton will be speaking at Stan Hagen Theatre on June 15th. for more information visit boundaryforest.org/courtenay🚨 ANNOUNCEMENT: The New Forest Act Roadshow - June 2–22, 2026This will be a series of in-person presentations across British Columbia focused on the New Forest Act - a legislative proposal to replace the current forestry framework.Tour stops include:Golden • Nelson • Trail • 100 Mile HouseCampbell River • Quadra Island • CourtenayPort Alberni • Honeymoon Bay • Powell River • Victoria Full details and event pages: boundaryforest.org/new-forest-act-roadshow-2026-info/About the New Forest ActThe New Forest Act is a proposed legislative framework that restructures forest management around ecological limits and long-term economic stability.It is built on a Protect–Restore–Harvest (PRH) model:• Protect primary forests and critical watershed areas• Restore degraded landscapes• Harvest only on previously disturbed land using selection-based systems, within ecological thresholdsThe framework shifts management from volume-based targets to outcomes-based management, with a focus on watershed function, ecosystem integrity, and stable regional economies.FormatEach event will be a presentation followed by a focused Q&A. Presenter Jennifer Houghton, New Forest Act Campaign Director, draws on years of research, public education, and direct engagement with communities and decision-makers across BC.Co-presenterDave Weaver (retired forestry professional) will co-present in Campbell River, and likely in Courtenay and Port Alberni as well.If you’ve been watching this issue for years...If you’ve felt like nothing ever actually changes...Come to a presentation.See it for yourself.Bring someone with you. June 2–22. Across British Columbia. Let’s go. ... See MoreSee Less
Drought in the summer is hard on plants in our environment. The trees in your yard may have begun to respond to this stress. Our next knowledge walk will help you to learn how to keep your trees healthy and thriving.Join Verna Mumby as we look at the effects of drought and climate change on trees.This knowledge walk will be at the Airpark. Taking the trees there as a sample, we will look for signs of drought stress, and indications of healthy growth. We will examine factors such as hydrology, disease vectors and soil compaction. We will discuss watering and other methods of mitigating stress.Meeting location will be sent before the walk. Bring binoculars to examine higher branches. Wear sturdy footwear and dress for the weather. We will be walking on the airpark paths.REGISTRATION required using RSVP link at comoxvalleynaturalist.bc.ca/event/trees-and-drought/ An easy 1 km walk on a wheelchair accessible paved path. Sorry, no dogs. This event is free, but donations are welcome. ... See MoreSee Less
Bruce Moffat, our very own CVN Nature Photography group coordinator will be presenting at this month’s general meeting. He has prepared a handful of wildlife vignettes collected over the past 7 years on Vancouver Island. Each of these shorts will be played with Bruce pausing to describe the experiences and challenges for each of the diverse subjects covered.This presentation includes images first shown as entries in the Comox Valley Photographic Society’s annual Imagefest show at the Sid Williams Theatre. There will be time to ask questions after each short film and following the wrap up. Bruce will bring some of the equipment used to capture his images.Bruce has been an avid photographer since his teen years and has focused on nature photography for the past 20 years. He has been published regularly in the local CV Land Trustcalendars and 4 of the last five CV Collective magazines here in the valley. His latest published shot is featured on this month’s cover of Scout Life magazine. ... See MoreSee Less
Comox Valley Nature is pleased to announce that Sophie Johnston has been awarded the Brandt Research Grant. This is a $5,000 grant in support of her field research on coastal areas of north Vancouver Island. Sophie is currently a PhD Student at the University of British Columbia.The intertidal zone ecosystem is critically threatened by ongoing climate change. Sophie’s PhD research is documenting the effects of ocean acidification on intertidal marine communities in the Johnstone Strait, British Columbia.The goal of her research is to investigate how a dominant ecosystem engineer shapes marine community structure along a gradient of ocean acidification.Ocean acidification not only alters the morphology of limpet species by increasing shell erosion, but can also increase their thermal sensitivity, limiting limpet grazing efficiency and survival in the intertidal zone. Thus, the effects of ocean acidification on such ecosystem engineers could result in large-scale, rippling impacts on marine communities, from microscopic algae to top predators.The results of this research will be of particular interest to residents who inhabit areas near or along the Johnstone Strait and those interested in the trophic level effects of ocean acidification i.e., the reduced growth of herbivores, barnacles, mussels, and oysters can affect the population sizes of predators like sea stars and otters.For more information on this grant and CV Nature in general, visit our website at cvnature.ca ... See MoreSee Less
CVRD News: Watershed Awareness Days: Discover Where Your Water Comes From 🫗The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) invites the public to explore the Comox Lake Watershed during Watershed Awareness Days, taking place from May 26 to 30, 2026. This week-long event features guided walks, lakeside talks, presentations, and family-friendly activities. It’s a unique opportunity to experience the watershed firsthand and learn how it sustains the health and wellbeing of the entire Comox Valley community.Read the full story here 👉 comoxvalleyrd.ca/connect/news/watershed-awareness-days-discover-where-your-water-comesView all the FREE* events here: www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/connectedbywater*Some events require registration#ComoxValleyRD ... See MoreSee Less
The New Forest Act Roadshow is a series of public presentations across British Columbia explaining what the New Forest Act is, why BC’s current forestry system is failing, and what a workable legislative solution looks like. Dave Weaver and Jennifer Houghton will be speaking at Stan Hagen Theatre on June 15th. for more information visit boundaryforest.org/courtenay🚨 ANNOUNCEMENT: The New Forest Act Roadshow - June 2–22, 2026