The Botany Group enjoyed a field trip to Ruth Masters Greenway in Courtenay on January 7. Ruth Masters was a prominent local environmentalist and activist, and was a long-time member of CVN. In 2004, she donated this important property adjacent to the Puntledge River to the Comox Valley Regional District with protective covenants. Ruth died in 2017 at age 97.
The group focused on identifying trees and shrubs using characteristics like bark, branches and buds. Fungi, lichens, mosses and ferns were also a focus. There’s plenty to see even at this time of year. Some highlights included yellow-cedar, normally found at much higher elevations, and some cultivated trees remaining from the property’s use as an orchard—hazelnut, apple and cherry. The Greenway is also rich in fungi, some uncommon in this area.
Co-leader VĂ©ronique has produced another enlightening photographic guide to help us identify the species seen during this outing. In this case the guide comes in two parts which you can download:
- Part 1: Trees and shrubs at Ruth Masters Greenway (PDF, 5.9 MB)
- Part 2: Fungi, lichens, mosses and others at Ruth Masters Greenway (PDF, 3.9 MB)
Here’s a selection of photos from these guides [click a photo to see the whole image]:











