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Many people fear trees, especially big trees, and old trees. Join us on this guided walk and overcome those fears. Verna Mumby (ISA certified arborist), will take us through the basics of tree bio-mechanics; how trees dance and move, how they withstand wind loads, and the importance of tree roots. Understand how trees help each other during storms and how they communicate. This walk will take place in Filberg Park, Comox, on October 17th, from 11 a.m. to 12:30.This walk is on flat ground, on grass and well maintained paths. Check the weather and choose appropriate outerwear. The workshop will be cancelled in the event of strongwinds and heavy rain.REGISTRATION required using the link in our bio, or visit cvnature.ca/events/This event is free. Donations welcome.For more information, to add your name to a waitlist or to cancel your reservation, mail: . Details re meeting place will be sent to registrants.
Autumn is fast upon us, and the trees in the Comox Valley are beginning their transition into the winter season. CVN’s Comox Valley Trees team (formerly Trees of the Year) is inviting you to share how your favourite trees are changing with the season and preparing for the winter ahead. It could be a brilliant display of autumn foliage, a production of fruit, nuts or berries, or as a winter haven for wildlife. As the leaves fall, do they reveal an interesting or unique tree architecture, shape or silhouette? Perhaps you have discovered trees of interest in forgotten spaces or unusual or unexpected places, or trees with fungi or lichen.Send us the story of why you selected your tree of note. Include a brief description of the tree, a photograph, and the geographical location of the best viewing spot. Ideally the tree is in a public location to facilitate viewing.Please send your story to We will share your stories on our website and on CVN’s Facebook and Instagram pages.Also, be sure to check CVN’s Events calendar regularly for other Comox Valley Trees events such as knowledge walks.#treestories #comoxvalley #comoxvalleytrees #autumn
Hands Off Old Growth, this Sunday October 4th in Simms Park:
Join Comox Valley Nature for a walk to celebrate Comox trees on Saturday, October 3, 2026. We will meet in the parking lot of the Comox Tennis Courts at 1:00 p.m. This 1.5 to 2 hour walk will be led by tree lovers Alora Griffin and Barbara Neilson. The number of participants is limited, and registration is required. RSVP on our events page at comoxvalleynaturalist.bc.ca/events/We will walk beneath the graceful boughs of some of Comox’s glorious trees, while enjoying their surroundings and the ambience they create for us. The trees selected will include examples of all the native trees now protected by the Town of Comox, as well as some exotic trees.We will discuss their biological features and historical significance as we amble along Brooklyn Creek and through Filberg Park and other parts of Comox. The path through Brooklyn Creek is uneven and there are stairs to climb. Bring your curiosity and questions as well as a water bottle and sun or rain protection, if needed. Please wear comfortable walking shoes. Children are welcome but please leave your furry friends at home, except for service dogs.This event is free, but donations are welcome.
The Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis laingi) is a top-level avian predator in mature and old coastal rainforests and is considered an indicator species of these habitats, as well as an indicator of forest health and biodiversity.Over half of the global range of this subspecies occurs in coastal British Columbia, where it favours mature coniferous forest. This non-migratory bird needs a relatively large home range that contains a good food supply. Despite some recent habitat protection efforts, continuing habitat loss is predicted, in part because of anticipated short rotation times in forest harvest. On Haida Gwaii, populations are very low and face an added risk from declines of prey species due to forest understory losses associated with high levels of browsing from an introduced population of deer.The Gitsegukla Huwilp of the Gitxsan.have drafted a petition to call for the legal protection of Northern Goshawks. These birds are keystone species in the Skeena Natural Resource Region which covers northwest British Columbia and includes the northern half of the Great Bear Rainforest. The coastal subspecies of Northern Goshawk on Haida Gwaii is the most vulnerable.The petition urges the Province of British Columbia to recognize and implement Regionally Important Wildlife protection for the Northern Goshawk. To sign please go to form.jotform.com/261745367749068For more information on the Goshawk visit www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/species-risk-public-registry/cosewic-assessm...
Category Archives: Plants and fungi
Spring wildflowers from Campbell River
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on March 30. I’m sure you are all as glad as I am to see the first wildflowers of spring! Here are some highlights from a walk along Campbell River’s scenic Canyon … Continue reading
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Recording available for orchid pollinators talk
The Strathcona Wilderness Institute hosted an online talk on March 24 by Dr. Jasmine Janes and Genevieve van der Voort whose topic was “Orchid pollinators of Strathcona Park“. If you missed this event or would like to see it again, … Continue reading
Posted in Guest Speakers, Insects and arachnids, Plants and fungi
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Learn about orchid pollinators of Strathcona Park
The Strathcona Wilderness Institute, in conjunction with the Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists, is offering a free online lecture titled “Orchid pollinators of Strathcona Park” on Wednesday, March 24 at 7:00 pm PDT. The presenters are Dr. Jasmine Janes and … Continue reading
Posted in Insects and arachnids, News, Plants and fungi
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Big trees close to home
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on March 1. While going through some books I came across a copy of Randy Stoltman’s classic Hiking Guide to the Big Trees of Southwestern British Columbia from the early 1990s. Stoltman was … Continue reading
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What’s blooming now?
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on March 6. Well, it is only early March, but a few tiny (and mostly weedy) species are already in bloom, shivering in the cold wind. Here are a few things … Continue reading
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Some common winter fungi
This report by Alison M., Some common bright winter / early spring fungi to be found in our forests, was distributed to the Botany Group on January 19. I picked a few chanterelles and hedgehogs (Hydnum umbilicatum) in our woods on … Continue reading
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First bloom of the year
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on January 1. Happy New Year! I don’t like to begin the year with a “bad news” story, but I’m obliged to report the first bloom of the year, which belongs … Continue reading
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Botany quiz #3: Conifers
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on December 21. Happy solstice! Here is the last quiz before Christmas, featuring local conifers. All of these are found at low elevation except for #9 which is mid to high … Continue reading
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Toothed fungi, part 2
From an email from Jocie to the Botany Group on December 7. Here is Alison’s 2nd instalment of the toothed fungi. [See this post for the first instalment.] Alison’s notes [Click a photo to enlarge it.] Next on the list … Continue reading
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Botany quiz #2: Shrubs
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on December 5. Here is quiz #2, featuring all native shrubs in autumn. [Click a photo to enlarge it.] You can download the answers here.
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