Rene Savenye Scholarship deadline – June 3, 2016. Application Link
FGM 2016 – Prince George, September 22-26, 2016 – Schedule and Registration will be posted May 1, 2016
Bird Blitzs – Skagit – May 6-8, 2016 Robson – June 3, 2016 Manning, June 17-19, 2016 need more information, please refer to your Spring magazine or email
BC Nature Members and drones in Parks – Your Experience
In recent months, BC Nature has been in touch with the BC Ministry of the Environment to request that the Ministry develop regulation concerning the recreational use of drones in provincial parks. The Ministry has indicated that they are examining this issue and that it would be helpful to have examples of experiences BC Nature members have had with drones in parks.
If you have had an experience with drones in a park or natural area in BC that you would like to share with the Ministry of Environment, please send details to me via email at Email I will collate this information and provide it to the Ministry.
Issue 48
Date March 2016
When will Spring be back?
BCnature Spring 2016 Magazine is now available online
The BCnature Spring Magazine is now available for download in the “members only” area. 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.
Keep cats safe. Save birds lives. Build Healthier Communities
It’s better for cats. It’s better for birds. It’s better for people. For more information, contact . John Neville says: Cats are killing 1.4 billion birds per annum worldwide. If we wish to go on seeing and hearing birds, we need to keep our cats indoors and safe. Make sure you watch “the Messenger” a new documentary film about declining songbirds. The Messenger Documentary Link
The Squamish Environment Society is very proud of our new website which was created by Rachel Shephard and lots of little elves. View Here
About Town
Spread Your Wings for Bird Conservation – Link
The Microsemi Science Fair Fun Run – The annual Science Fair Fun Run is the largest timed 5K fun run in the province and is now a major event in Vancouver. Teams of five or more are welcome to register now, and can customize their technical t-shirts with a team logo. Families can meet science fair participants, view science fair projects and enjoy activities provided by Microsemi and other sponsors as they await the results and prizes at the awards ceremony. In addition, all registered Fun Run participants are entered into the grand prize drawing and will receive free admission to TELUS World of Science on race day.Adults 19 and older can register before the early bird deadline of April 30 for only $40, while those 18 and under can register for only $25. Entrants can also participate in the 1K Mini Fun Run for children with an accompanying adult, with an entry fee of $20 each. To register online, visit www.sciencefairs.ca/funrun. All proceeds from the event go to The Dr. Michael Smith Science Fair Endowment to support the promotion and development of The Science Fair Program throughout the province.
“2015 marked one of the most exciting and successful years yet for British Columbia students at both the national and international Science Fairs, with three of the top four Grand Awards at the Canada-Wide Science Fair in Fredericton, New Brunswick, two awards at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and gold medals at the Taiwan International Science Fair in Taipei,” said Patti Leigh, executive director, SFF BC. “By participating in The Microsemi Science Fair Fun Run, our community helps encourage young people like these students to pursue careers in science and technology—and to become tomorrow’s innovators.”
The 12th Annual Wild ARC Open House! BC SPCA Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre (Wild ARC), Victoria – Link
Conservation Issues in our Province
Fish habitat worries stalls approval of B.C.’s Pacific NorthWest LNG project – Link
Against Port Expansion in the Fraser Estuary – Link
Helping children connect with our natural world. for information on how to Knowledge-share with the children of your local nature Kids, please visit this Link
Love bees — especially the wild ones!
By the David Suzuki Foundation – Many environmental campaigns over the past 50 years have aimed at getting people to care for imperilled species in wild, far-off places. The focus in Canada has often been on large, photogenic, culturally important animals, with bonus points for campaigns that include alliteration, bumper sticker-friendly slogans and plush toys. This has been a sensible and often successful strategy. Over the past few years smaller, charismatic critters closer to home have buzzed into the spotlight: bees. About a decade ago, beekeepers in Europe and North America started noticing serious declines in honeybee populations. Bees have lost much of their natural habitat to urbanization and industrial agriculture and face increased stress from climate change-related drought and severe winters. These threats, coupled with the global spread of diseases and pests and a dramatic increase in the use of agricultural pesticides like neonicotinoids, have resulted in unprecedented losses for beekeepers. (Because bees and other insects provide ecological services like pollination, it makes no sense to declare war against all just to eliminate or control the few nuisances.) For complete article – see this Link
Federation of BC Naturalists (BC Nature) join call to protect Central Walbran Valley – See more at: this Link
BC’s 2016 endangered rivers list targets key waterways by region
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Sophia Priestman, a graduate of Mark R. Isfeld Secondary School, is the 2026 recipient of the CVN Bursary. Our $1000 bursary was presented to her at the school’s awards ceremony on May 28.Sophia graduates with straight A grades. She made extensive contributions to the Environment Club throughout her career at Isfeld, taking on the president’s role in grades 11 and 12. She was also very involved in the Model UN Program, and participated in other school clubs and sports.Outside school, Sophia has volunteered with Anderton Therapeutic Garden and with Lush Valley for several years. At 12 years old she was offered a job by five vendors at the Farmer’s Market and chose Alderlane Bakery where she is in her sixth year of employment. She also has helped out at Pendleton Farm.Sophia has been accepted at the University of Victoria where she will pursue a dual major in Environmental Studies and Economics with a minor in Applied Ethics. Of this somewhat unusual combination of disciplines, Sophia says:This variety of disciplines will allow me to see complex political and environmental issues from multiple perspectives and find innovative solutions that both foster sustainability and ensure welfare for all (human and non-human alike).Congratulations, Sophia! ... 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.That solution is the New Forest Act – a proposed policy framework developed over several years through research, public input, and lived experience in communities directly affected by forestry decisions.BC’s forestry challenges are not isolated incidents—they are the result of a system that no longer reflects the realities on the land.Join Jennifer Houghton and Dave Weaver on Monday June 15th at the Stan Hagen Theatre in Courtenay fpr a presentation that offers a clear, developed alternative.Jennifer Houghton is lead developer of the New Forest Act, a legislative proposal to replace British Columbia’s current forestry system. She works directly on forestry policy analysis, public education, and government engagement to advance structural reform in how BC’s forests are managed.Dave Weaver has 37 years of experience in British Columbia’s forestry sector, working across industry, consulting, and government. His career includes field forestry with MacMillan Bloedel, forest consulting and applied ecology instruction in the northern interior, and 12 years with the BC Ministry of Forests developing silviculture policy and training in alternatives to clearcutting.He now focuses on watershed-level impacts of forestry through his work with the Beaufort Watershed Stewards, bringing decades of on-the-ground and policy experience to the discussion of forestry reform in BC.This event is for:Residents concerned about forestry in their regionPeople working in or affected by the forest sectorThose interested in practical, policy-level solutionsAnyone who wants a clear explanation of what’s happening—and what can be doneTo view the schedule for other presentations and for full details on the legislative framework visit boundaryforest.org/the-new-forest-act-proposal/Sentinel Educational Foundation and the Watershed Sentinel magazine are the sponsors of the Vancouver Island leg of the 2026 New Forest Act Roadshow. Their support is helping bring public education about forest policy reform to communities across Vancouver Island.This is a free public event and donations are welcome ... 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, 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
Sophia Priestman, a graduate of Mark R. Isfeld Secondary School, is the 2026 recipient of the CVN Bursary. Our $1000 bursary was presented to her at the school’s awards ceremony on May 28.