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
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
On July 1, 2014 Canada implemented new laws that regulate how we communicate electronically with our “followers”. Since our electronic communications are not commercial in nature, the new Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation does not apply. However, we wanted to take the opportunity to remind you that you can unsubscribe from our distribution list at any time by clicking the link above.
Drawing on the Salish Sea: A Zoom course in support of the Mitlenatch Island Stewardship Team (MIST)Have you wished that you could keep a nature journal or paint the life around you? During three Zoom sessions you can explore how to quickly capture wildflowers, inter-tidal life and birds You’ll learn how to draw quickly and accurately, starting with simple shapes, then using some refining techniques, which will help you draw with less frustration!You’ll look at materials: papers, pens, and coloured mediums like pencil crayons. Then you’ll jump into watercolours with a simple palette and mixes as well as quick watercolour techniques you can use in the field or at home. All the lessons will be accompanied with downloadable notes.You will finish the course ready to start your own Nature Journal.Zoom recordings will allow you watch the sessions at your convenience during the course and for a month after we wrap up. About Mitlenatch Island:Mitlenatch Island is a small rocky island that sits between Campbell River and Powell River, in the Salish Sea. Cast in the rain shadow of Vancouver Island, its flanks are clad in golden grasses and its meadows host an explosion of spring wildflowers. Anchored where tides rush in from the north and south, rich waters encircling the island teem with fish; intertidal life flourishes and thousands of seabirds nest on cliffs, in rocks, and on open ground. It’s shores provide refuge for mother seals with their pups, and haul out for sea lions in the winter. In recent years Humpbacks have returned to nearby waters, to feed on krill and schooling fish. With so much life, much of it on exposed nesting areas, the island has a special vulnerability. The Mist volunteer wardens are in place for the summer months to welcome people to the island (which is accessible by boat only) and to relate to visitors the natural and human history of the island. For 25 years Alison Watt has spent a week on the island in the summer, as a volunteer warden. Her journals are full of Mitlenatch sketches. She finds it a delight and a privilege to return each year to this jewel of the Salish Sea. MIST is a special organisation which works closely with BC Provincial Parks to ensure that Mitlenatch Island remains a haven for the plants and animals of the Salish Sea.Sign up and donate through www.alisonwatt.ca/drawing-on-the-salish-seaFor more information on Mitlenatch Island visit www.mitlenatch.ca/mitlenatch-island...
Comox Valley Nature invites its members and the public to CVN’s October general meeting, where you can hear the following keynote presentation by our guest speaker: Birdbrains – Smarter than you think- with Sandra Milligan Once dismissed as “birdbrains,” birds are now recognized for their remarkable intelligence. Sandra explores the evolution of our understanding of avian neuroanatomy, focusing on local species. Through engaging stories and videos, Sandra explores how birds solve problems, use tools, express empathy, and communicate with rich vocabulary – inviting you to see these creatures with newfound respect and wonder.Sandra Milligan has been teaching university level biology at North Island College for over twenty years. With graduate degrees in neuroscience, she’s now a generalist, naturalist, and lifelong learner. In Campbell River, she’s a recognized environmental advocate and public educator. Her passion for birding has evolved into a deep interest in avian behaviour and intelligence. Drawing on her neuroanatomy background, Sandra has followed the growing research on bird cognition, confirming what many intuitively felt – birds display an extraordinary range of intelligent behaviours. Sunday, October 25, 2026 at 3 pm in the main hall of Comox United Church, 250 Beach Drive, Comox. Members of the public welcome.This will be an in-person only meeting. We will not record the presentation on this occasion [this is a correction to previous information].As always, there will be a break after the presentation with a chance to meet new people and socialize with old friends. Tea, coffee and treats will be available (by donation).A brief meeting follows. Reports from some of our interest groups and projects are an opportunity for guests to learn more about what we do. ...
It's that time of year! A couple of off leash dogs have been seen romping at the confluence of Morrison Creek and the Puntledge River. Dogs get quite excited to see those big chum. The chum do spawn right at the mouth of the creek, salmon eggs are very sensitive to disturbance so paws, or feet, in the creek kill eggs. Keep your dog on a leash, especially if you do not want a smelly dog! Dogs like to roll in dead fish. Salmon spook, be a quiet calm wildlife paparazzi. ...
Fish Walk!!! ( Well, not really...but don't miss this chance to follow their journey!)Join the Morrison Creek Streamkeepers for a walk along Morrison Creek, starting at its confluence with the Puntledge River in Puntledge Park, to watch salmon spawning after their remarkable journey back from the ocean. Register here: form.jotform.com/262924316992264...
Thanks to community support, a property in Deep Bay is now protected, safeguarding its mature forests, salmon streams and diverse shoreline.Now, we’re helping restore this land so it can regenerate into a healthy forest.Join the Comox Valley land Trust and WolfTree for a hands-on day to rehabilitate the former homestead by planting trees and shrubsIf you'd like to volunteer your time, the work party is Sunday, October 25th, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.Meet at Rosewall creek Provincial Park parking lot at 9:50 to carpool to the deep bay restoration site.See this link or link in bio to register and for more information: www.jotform.com/form/262826298698277...
Drawing on the Salish Sea: A Zoom course in support of the Mitlenatch Island Stewardship Team (MIST)Have you wished that you could keep a nature journal or paint the life around you? During three Zoom sessions you can explore how to quickly capture wildflowers, inter-tidal life and birds You’ll learn how to draw quickly and accurately, starting with simple shapes, then using some refining techniques, which will help you draw with less frustration!You’ll look at materials: papers, pens, and coloured mediums like pencil crayons. Then you’ll jump into watercolours with a simple palette and mixes as well as quick watercolour techniques you can use in the field or at home. All the lessons will be accompanied with downloadable notes.You will finish the course ready to start your own Nature Journal.Zoom recordings will allow you watch the sessions at your convenience during the course and for a month after we wrap up. About Mitlenatch Island:Mitlenatch Island is a small rocky island that sits between Campbell River and Powell River, in the Salish Sea. Cast in the rain shadow of Vancouver Island, its flanks are clad in golden grasses and its meadows host an explosion of spring wildflowers. Anchored where tides rush in from the north and south, rich waters encircling the island teem with fish; intertidal life flourishes and thousands of seabirds nest on cliffs, in rocks, and on open ground. It’s shores provide refuge for mother seals with their pups, and haul out for sea lions in the winter. In recent years Humpbacks have returned to nearby waters, to feed on krill and schooling fish. With so much life, much of it on exposed nesting areas, the island has a special vulnerability. The Mist volunteer wardens are in place for the summer months to welcome people to the island (which is accessible by boat only) and to relate to visitors the natural and human history of the island. For 25 years Alison Watt has spent a week on the island in the summer, as a volunteer warden. Her journals are full of Mitlenatch sketches. She finds it a delight and a privilege to return each year to this jewel of the Salish Sea. MIST is a special organisation which works closely with BC Provincial Parks to ensure that Mitlenatch Island remains a haven for the plants and animals of the Salish Sea.Sign up and donate through www.alisonwatt.ca/drawing-on-the-salish-seaFor more information on Mitlenatch Island visit www.mitlenatch.ca/mitlenatch-island