CVN Facebook Posts
Help a Toad to cross the road!
Dont miss these upcoming presentations, giving insight into wildlife rehabilitation, bird intelligence and the lives of coastal wolves:
Reporting wildfire sightings is easier with the BC Wildfire Service App:With the BC Wildfire Service app, you can quickly report wildfires electronically - even in areas with limited cell coverage. Click on the report button, prepare your report offline and your report will automatically go to the Provincial Wildfire Reporting Centre when you’re back in service.Our mobile app is free to download on both Apple and Android devices.
iOS: apps.apple.com/us/app/bc-wildfire-service/id1477675008
Google play: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ca.bc.gov.WildfireInformation&pcampaignid=web_share
Interesting and helpful advice from John Neilson and the Brooklyn Creek Watershed Stewards :Recently, BCWS has been made aware of two incidents of soapy water at the Brooklyn Creek fish ladder (see picture taken July 2nd). This has likely resulted from a release of a detergent into the stream, possibly from car washing or moss removal on roofs.As readers know, Pacific salmon are found in Brooklyn Creek every day of the year, and there certainly is no “safe” time to release detergents or other pollutants into the storm water system that connects with the Creek. Release of any deleterious substance into salmon bearing streams is contrary to the Fisheries Act, and subject to fines. Soapy water can impact young salmon by damaging their gills or skin.
In addition to posing a threat to our salmon populations, soapy water may also indicate that some people are still washing cars, which as of June 23, is not permitted under Stage 3 water restrictions. Once car washing is again allowed, consider washing on a lawn, rather than a hard surface. This simple method can greatly reduce the amount of soapy water entering the storm water system.
Thank you for considering the health of the Brooklyn Creek Watershed.
Dr. John Neilson, President BCWS
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!
Category Archives: Plants and fungi
Lakeside plants, old boots, and other things
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on August 30. I don’t know how you all coped with the excessive heat this summer…but I ended up spending more time out on the water than I did hiking. I … Continue reading
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Learn about notable flora of Strathcona Park
Comox Valley Nature members and the general public are invited to attend the following free online lecture presented by the Strathcona Wilderness Institute: Title: Notable Flora of Strathcona ParkSpeaker: Eva UllstromDate: Sunday, September 12, 2021Time: 7:00 p.m. PDT This webinar … Continue reading
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Iris on the Croteau Lake trail
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on Aug 27. Mandy and Krista recently found this out-of-place looking iris blooming along the trail that runs alongside Croteau Lake. Loys reports that the iris was there last year also, … Continue reading
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Learn about white pine blister rust in Strathcona Park
Comox Valley Nature members and the general public are invited to attend the following free online lecture presented by the Strathcona Wilderness Institute: Title: Investigating White Pine Blister Rust in Strathcona ParkSpeaker: Kaitlyn Kuzma-WellsDate: Sunday, September 5, 2021Time: 7:00 p.m. … Continue reading
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A few aquatic plants
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on August 26. There are many beautiful, intriguing aquatic plants that often escape our notice, especially since some are totally submerged (maybe botanical snorkeling would be fun?). Here are a few … Continue reading
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August blooms at Paradise Meadows
Photos and notes by Alison M., distributed to the Botany Group on August 22. Click a photo to enlarge it. King gentians (Gentiana sceptrum) are now in full bloom in the Meadows (photos 1 and 2) – though remember that … Continue reading
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Plants of lakes and roadsides (and old ketchup)
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on July 14. In early July I did some exploring around the Whymper Lake area (across the Strathcona dam, west of Campbell River). Here are a few photos (mostly botany…and other … Continue reading
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Paradise Meadows: Winter to summer in 3 weeks
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on July 12, with photos from Alison M. Despite being laid up with a broken wrist and having to type with one hand, Alison has come through with some colourful photos … Continue reading
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Botanizing on the Strathcona Bird Search
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on June 14. Last weekend I was up in Strathcona Park for the annual Strathcona Bird Search, which is always very enjoyable even if the weather was cool and showery. Though … Continue reading
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Paradise Meadows not yet clear
Notes and photos from Alison M. on some of the first flowers blooming in the subalpine and other observations, distributed to the Botany Group on June 13. Click a photo to enlarge it. We were up at Paradise Meadows last … Continue reading
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