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 40
Date March 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
March 30 Sign up – see instructions below 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.”
Good News
Year of Talk – “New Park on Quadra Island” – $5.85-million deal purchases land to link two existing park. Read More
Emergency Order in Place – Feb. 2014 to protect the Sage Grouse, For Alberta & Saskatchewan Link Here
Modernizing BC’s Water Act – New Water Sustainability Act Introduced – Link Here – Read all about the strengths and weaknesses of the new Water Sustainability Act Link Here
Court rules federal government acted ‘unlawfully’ in delaying recovery strategies for at-risk species – Read More Here
20 March 2014 – After an extremely successful first year, the British Columbia Shorebird Survey returns this summer. The project was launched in 2013 by Bird Studies Canada and Simon Fraser University to study Western Sandpiper abundance and behaviour with help from Citizen Scientists. The 2014 surveys will occur on the weekends of July 19-20 and August 16-17 at several sites around Vancouver, Victoria, Eastern Vancouver Island, Tofino, and Washington. We’re looking for volunteers able to commit to two to three days of surveys, lasting two to three hours each day. There will be a volunteer training session from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, April 26 at Reifel Bird Sanctuary in Delta, BC. To learn more, register as a new or returning volunteer, or sign up for the training session, visit the BC Shorebird Survey webpage. If you have questions, please contact Karen Barry () or David Hope ().
About Town
Citizens Against Port Expansion – Public Meeting – Saturday April 5, 2014 Here is the Link for further information.
Webinar – Which Price is Right? Pricing Water and BC’s new Water Sustainability Act – Monday March 24, 2014 for information on submissions please visit this Link for further information
Earth Hour on March 29 – Turn your lights off – Link for further information
Protecting the Great Bear Presentation Night – March 29 – Ross Beaty Lecture Theatre, University of British Columbia. For REgistration information – Link Here Admission by Donation.
14th Annual Riversheds Forum – April 11-13, 2014 – Yale, BC – For Registration information – visit this link
The Coast to Cascades Grizzly Bear Initiative is hosting an event in Whistler on April 8. I hope you can join us! It’s going to be a great night featuring PBS & BBC Host and Narrator Chris Morgan, and BC Ministry of Environment’s Large Carnivore Specialist Tony Hamilton. “A Night with Grizzlies” – for registration information visit Link Here
Kamloops – “Brush With Nature” – Nature Conservancy of Canada – BC Join us on April 2 to learn more about Napier Lake Ranch and how you can help protect this incredible grassland property. for more information
Activities for your Children or Grandchildren involving nature – Summer Camps
SUMMER CAMPS at VanDusen Botanical Garden – Link Here
Soaring Eagle Nature School – Visit Link
Letter to the Editor – From February Enews”
Sir: You stated, “I’m sure all of us are pleased that the Prosperity Mine Project has been turned down again.” Do not assume all of us are pleased. Poverty is a much greater health risk to the people of Williams Lake than the Taseko Prosperity mine would ever be. The role of BC Nature should be to use its skills to work with the mine to help create a viable tailings pond not just to say no to every development. By the way have you investigated whether Fish Lake really is worth fishing in? Anecdotal evidence is that it has few fish. Member Parsons.
Take a Minute and nominate A BC River
The Outdoor Recreation Council of BC (ORC) will publish its 2014 Endangered Rivers List in April. Rivers included in the List will be those on which public recreation is considered by ORC’s Endangered Rivers Committee to be the most endangered or threatened. The Committee will review nominations from members of ORC’s member organizations and other individuals active in outdoor recreation. Persons or organizations making a nominations are requested to provide as much of the information listed below as possible. Public recreation which might be threatened or endangered might include fishing, canoeing, kayaking, birdwatching, hiking or just walking by the river.
To make a nomination please go to: Link Here OR go to the home page of the Outdoor Recreation Council website at www.orcbc.ca and follow the links
In 2013 the Peace River was nominated by more than 200 individuals and organizations as a result of which it headed the 2013 list by a wide margin and the environmental assessment process for the proposed Site C dam on the Peace is now under way. In 2014 we are looking for nominations for threatened rivers other than the Peace, such as the Similkameen (high dam proposal south of Princeton) and the Fraser (toxic waste plant near Chilliwack). There will undoubtedly be others! And the more nominations the better so we can develop a comprehensive and informative list.
Your Executive and Conservation Committee Hard at Work
Conservation Letters sent and received to March 21, 2014 Off Road Vehicle Act – Bill 13: Letter to Forests, Lands and Natural Resources Operations Minister Steve Thomson thanking him for introducing this Bill and encouraging quick passage of this Bill which will require the display of a visible numbered plate on all ORVs. Sent March 7, 2014. Water Sustainability Act: Replied received March 7, 2014, from provincial Ministry of Environment, Assistant Deputy Minister with comments on the letter BC Nature sent November 15, 2013 regarding focus to modernize this Act. Cohen Commission on Fisheries: Reply from Provincial Forests, Lands and Natural Resources Operations, Minister Steve Thomson, in response to our letters of December 23 and November 13, 2013 to the Premier. The reply dated March 4, 2014, addresses BC Nature’s concerns over implementation of several of Justice Cohen’s recommendations on Fraser River sockeye. (Also note there was a reply January 21, 2014 from Federal Fisheries and Oceans Minister Shea to BC Nature follow-up correspondence of November 29, 2013, regarding implementation of Cohen Commission recommendations.
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.