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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
Category Archives: Plants and fungi
Botany Outing Report: Morrison Park, Mar. 14, 2016
The Botany Group met at Karin’s on Robert Lang Drive for lunch and meeting before a walk in Roy Morrison Nature Park. The Park ( accessed from Embleton Crescent) includes a large number of magnificent mature broadleaf maples, swathed in … Continue reading
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Botany Outing Report: Miracle Beach ‘Seaweeds’, Feb. 15th, 2016
BOTANY GATHERING – FEBRUARY 15, 2016 – MIRACLE BEACH ( Betty B’s house) About 10 of us braved the weather and had a short walk along the beach managing to collect enough samples to examine before the rain started. Most … Continue reading
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Botany Outing Report: Trip Planing, Jan. 11th, 2016
Botany Group Report January 2016 A small group gathered at Karin’s to talk about potential trips for the Spring, and to view a video entitled The Red Deserts (Kyzyl Kum in Central Asia), one part of the series “In the … Continue reading
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Botany Outing Report: Potluck at Helen’s, Dec. 7th, 2015
Botany Group Report for December 2015 December 7th Fifteen of us met for our annual Christmas Potluck at Helen’s. There was an amazing spread, as usual. The reported highlights of 2015 included the water purslane (Ludvigia palustris) with its minute … Continue reading
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Botany Outing Report: Miracle Beach Park, Nov. 9, 2015
In glorious sunshine on Monday 9th a (baker’s) dozen of us walked around the trails in Miracle Beach examining mosses and liverworts under Jocie’s expert guidance. We saw all of the 10 mosses on page 1 of her handout on … Continue reading
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Botany Report: Mushrooms, Oct. 12, 2015
Below is a list of the mushrooms we identified in the woodlands at 6069 Tsolum River Road on October 12th. Thanks, Jocie, for keeping track of them. CVN Botany Group : List of Fungi 6069 Tsolum River Road, October 12th … Continue reading
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Upcoming Botany Walk: Tsolum River Mushrooms, Monday October 5th 2015
The Group will meet at Alison’s. We will meet here at 11.00 am, and have a walk around our trails first to see what mushrooms are popping up, then have lunch, for which I will provide wild mushroom soup. If anyone needs … Continue reading
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Botany Outing Report: Kin Beach, Sept. 14, 2015
Six botanists visited Kin Beach Park on a cloudy day, discovering several unusual beach plants including California broomrape , previously unknown in the area. Uncommon plants: California broomrape, American and European sea-rocket ( the latter new to Helen at Kin … Continue reading
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Upcoming Botany Walk: Little River Park Aquatic Plants, July 27th 2015
We would like to invite the Botany Group members to coffee/tea and muffins/coffee cake on our beach (sitting on the logs) at 10.00 am on Monday July 27th, and then we will drive to Little River Nature Park to walk … Continue reading
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Upcoming Botany Walk: Garry Oaks, July 20th 2015
As there is no walk planned for tomorrow Monday July 20th 2015, I thought I would lead a short walk nearby, and look at some of the Garry Oaks (and associated plants) right here in the valley. Because of the … Continue reading
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