One Month to go – Rene Savenye Scholarship deadline – June 3, 2016. Application Link
FGM 2016 – Prince George, September 22-26, 2016 – Schedule and Registration will be posted May 9 (Subject to change)
Bird Blitzs – Robson – June 3, 2016 Manning, June 17-19, 2016 need more information, please refer to your Spring magazine or email
AGM 2017 – Lillooet – May 4 – 7, 2017 – Details in Fall 2016 Magazine
The Atlas of the Breeding Birds of British Columbia
The Atlas of the Breeding Birds of British Columbia is now online! More than 1500 high-quality maps and graphs show precisely where each species occurs, how common it is, and which types of landscapes it breeds in. The atlas is packed with innovative, user-friendly features, and is an entirely free new resource designed for almost everyone – from environmental professionals and researchers to birdwatchers, educators, and students. With 630,000 records of 320 species, it is now the go-to source of bird information for environmental assessments, and is informing purchase and management priorities for conservation and industrially-managed lands. The dataset is also being widely used for academic research. Special thanks to the 30 authors, 20 editors, 45 coordinators, 1300 dedicated field volunteers, 30 photographers, and 150 generous partners and supporters!
Issue 49
Date June 2016
Spring in the Alpine
BCnature Spring 2016 Magazine is still available online
The BCnature Summer Magazine will be available for download in the “members only” area at the end of May. If you do not have your password or access name, please email the office for your information (). For those that currently receive the magazine via Canada post mail, your name as it is written on the label and your password (top left corner) are your access to the members only area.
May is the Great Canadian Birdathon
During the month of May, thousands of Canadians from coast to coast will participate in the Great Canadian Birdathon. Visit the Birdathon page of Bird Studies Canada’s President Steven Price to show your support! You can join Steven and the rest of our loyal Birdathoners by registering yourself. By becoming a participant or supporter, you’ll raise the critical funds we need for conservation, and encourage more Canadians to discover the fascinating birds around us.
Birdathoners have chances to win incredible prizes! Our grand prize is an amazing birding vacation from Eagle-Eye Tours. Additional prizes from our generous sponsors Armstrong Bird Food, Celestron, Eagle Optics Canada, and Vortex range from bird seed to optics.
Sign-up is easy. Just visit our website to get started on your personal webpage today!
Interesting Sites and News Tidbits
Available now – Brand new “Loon” poster being circulated by Lillooet Field Naturalists – Here is the link for a download copy.
Geothermal Energy – Why aren’t we using more of it – Read about it here
The Kokanee sport fishery on the Kootenay Lake’s west arm will be ‘catch-and-release’-only Article here
An interesting site is promoting a Tick Removal product. This product was brought to the attention of BC Nature by one of its Naturalists club and is not endorsed by BC Nature, however, if you wish to explore it for more information, please do so.
Proponents behind B.C.’s Northern Gateway pipeline ask for three-year extension Vancouver Sun Article
Recovery Strategy for the Wood Bison (Bison bison athabascae) in Canada posted on the Species at Risk Public Registry (SARA) for a 60-day public consultation period Link
A thought provoking Article on Site C
What BC Residents Have and Have Not Been Told About Site C Dam and Electricity Prices. From Powell River – Great article
From the Outdoor Recreation Council
Kootenays – Outdoor Recreation Council of a Crown Land Tenure application for a License of Occupation for Adventure Tourism. The public is invited to comment. Responses are due by May 28 (Please note: The short period for responding is due to delayed notification by this office). – Adventure Tourism – Commercial Recreation – Guided Mechanized Cat – skiing December through April – Near Ymir BC on Mt Elise. Link for information
NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE OUTDOOR RECREATION COUNCIL OF BRITISH COLUMBIA TIME & DATE: 9 AM TO 2 PM, SATURDAY JUNE 11 LOCATION: YARROW COMMUNITY SCHOOL, 4595 WILSON ROAD, YARROW, NEAR CHILLIWACK
Interior – Please note that the deadline for comments on the final draft of the South Chilcotin Mountains Provincial Park Management Plan has been extended to June 13. The BC Parks website will be updated to reflect that shortly.
Get Involved with World Rivers Day!
Interested clubs can organize an event with their members and (if applicable) their local streamkeeper and waterkeeper groups. World Rivers Day is celebrated on the last Sunday in September. Learn more here
To Unsubscribe , please contact the BC Nature Office. All email addresses are protected from misuse by BC Nature by way of off site storage on a secure server. Questions or comments? Contact us via Email to BC Nature
Comox Valley Nature’s Wetlands restoration group has been working on the Courtenay Rotary Trail removing invasive plants.Removing invasive plants ensures that native plants can thrive. A vigorous native plant population also provides food for insects and birds.Join us in liberating native plants from invasive thugs such as ivy.We meet at the end of 21st street in Courtenay, where it meets the Courtenay Rotary Trail near Dogwood Park. You’ll find us there every Sunday starting Oct 18 to mid-Dec, mid-Jan to March 14, from 1:00 to 3:30 Bring gloves and water, dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes.For more information contact ...
Many people fear trees, especially big trees, and old trees. Join us on this guided walk and overcome those fears. Verna Mumby (ISA certified arborist), will take us through the basics of tree bio-mechanics; how trees dance and move, how they withstand wind loads, and the importance of tree roots. Understand how trees help each other during storms and how they communicate. This walk will take place in Filberg Park, Comox, on October 17th, from 11 a.m. to 12:30.This walk is on flat ground, on grass and well maintained paths. Check the weather and choose appropriate outerwear. The workshop will be cancelled in the event of strongwinds and heavy rain.REGISTRATION required using the link in our bio, or visit cvnature.ca/events/This event is free. Donations welcome.For more information, to add your name to a waitlist or to cancel your reservation, mail: . Details re meeting place will be sent to registrants. ...
Autumn is fast upon us, and the trees in the Comox Valley are beginning their transition into the winter season. CVN’s Comox Valley Trees team (formerly Trees of the Year) is inviting you to share how your favourite trees are changing with the season and preparing for the winter ahead. It could be a brilliant display of autumn foliage, a production of fruit, nuts or berries, or as a winter haven for wildlife. As the leaves fall, do they reveal an interesting or unique tree architecture, shape or silhouette? Perhaps you have discovered trees of interest in forgotten spaces or unusual or unexpected places, or trees with fungi or lichen.Send us the story of why you selected your tree of note. Include a brief description of the tree, a photograph, and the geographical location of the best viewing spot. Ideally the tree is in a public location to facilitate viewing.Please send your story to We will share your stories on our website and on CVN’s Facebook and Instagram pages.Also, be sure to check CVN’s Events calendar regularly for other Comox Valley Trees events such as knowledge walks.#treestories #comoxvalley#comoxvalleytrees #autumn...
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. ...