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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!
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 region
People working in or affected by the forest sector
Those interested in practical, policy-level solutions
Anyone who wants a clear explanation of what’s happening—and what can be done
To 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
Photos from Project Watershed's post
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 House
Campbell River • Quadra Island • Courtenay
Port Alberni • Honeymoon Bay • Powell River • Victoria
Full details and event pages: boundaryforest.org/new-forest-act-roadshow-2026-info/
About the New Forest Act
The 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 thresholds
The framework shifts management from volume-based targets to outcomes-based management, with a focus on watershed function, ecosystem integrity, and stable regional economies.
Format
Each 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-presenter
Dave 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.
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.
Category Archives: Birds
Christmas Bird Count Report: Dec. 15, 2013
The final tally for the 114th Annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count for the Comox Valley resulted in a total of 105 species: Greater White-fronted Goose Canada Goose Trumpeter Swan Gadwall Eurasian Wigeon American Wigeon Mallard Northern Shoveler Northern Pintail Green-winged … Continue reading
Bird Outing Report: Columbia Beach, Nov. 28, 2013
On Thursday Nov. 28 three birders went to Columbia Beach with stops at Hamilton Marsh, Nile Creek, and Deep Bay. The weather co operated making for a very pleasant day. 48 species were seen, highlights being a Western Grebe close … Continue reading
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Christmas Bird Counts
The dates for the Christmas Bird Counts have just been announced. There are four counts in the area, as follows: Sunday December 15: Comox Count: contact Carol Muirhead to participate 331-0511. Thursday December 19: Deep Bay Count: contact Bill Stewart … Continue reading
Trumpeter Swan Counts 2013/2014
Apr. 15, 2014: TRUS adults 10 Juv. 9 Total 19 Apr. 8, 2014: TRUS adults 34 Juv. 6 Total 40 Apr. 1, 2014: TRUS adults 207 Juv. 53 Total 260 Mar. 25, 2014: TRUS adults 591 Juv. … Continue reading
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Bird Outing Report: Neck Point Park, Sept. 12, 2013
Seven birders made the trip down to Neck Point Regional Park in Nanaimo on Sept. 12. The weather was beautiful, but not too hot since we were next to the water. One of the highlights at Neck Pt. was seeing … Continue reading
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Bird Outing Report: Oyster Bay, Sept. 1, 2013
12 birders met at Oyster Bay for another search for migrating shorebirds. We had front row seat looks at Baird’s Sandpipers and Semipalmated Plovers. Thanks to Art Martell for supplying the following species list: Oyster Bay, Comox-Strathcona, CA-BC Sep 1, … Continue reading
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Bird Outing Report: Oyster Bay, Aug. 22, 2013
Eight birders met at Oyster Bay for another search for migrating shorebirds. This field trip also acted as an outing for the Thursday Birding group. We saw good numbers of the usual sandpipers and plovers. However, the highlight was 2 … Continue reading
Bird Outing Report: Oyster Bay, Aug. 10, 2013
Nine birders went to Oyster Bay to look for migrating shorebirds. We had an enjoyable morning, even though there weren’t many shorebirds, other than plovers, around today. We had good looks at couple of the plovers that were still in … Continue reading
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Bird Outing Report: Bear Creek Park, July 10, 2013
Eight birders went to Bear Creek Nature Park (along the Oyster River) . Although birdsong is gradually declining as summer wears on, there was still quite a bit of singing in the woods today, and we managed to see and/or … Continue reading
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Bird Outing Report: Bear Creek Park, May 18, 2013
Seven birders met at Bear Creek Nature Park for a morning of mostly birding-by-ear. There were lots of flycatchers and warblers, as well as a few tangers and grosbeaks. There were a total of 27 species, but most of the … Continue reading
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