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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
Upcoming Botany Walk: Paradise Meadows, June 22nd 2015
Fran Newson has offered to lead a walk tomorrow – short notice I know but the weather is good and the flowers will soon be over with up there. Please bring a lunch and sun protection. The walk around the … Continue reading
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Botany Outing Report: Little River Nature Park, July 27,2015
Ten botanists had a lovely gathering on Helen’s Beach for coffee and delicious cake, then walked around the pond and along the river at Little River Nature Park. Most of the plants such as the Lomatium nudicaule are in their … Continue reading
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Botany Outing Reports: Miracle Beach + 9 Km Bog
As many locations have a lot of the same plants it has been suggested that we just list the plants that are special to that location so here goes: June 8th – Miracle Beach – Small flowered bulrush, diverse leaved … Continue reading
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Upcoming Botany Walk: 9 km. Bog, June 15th 2015
This coming Monday, June 15th, Terry Thormin will lead a field trip to 9 km. Bog. We will meet at Harmston at 10:00 and will have a second meeting place at the first parking lot on the Strathcona Parkway at … Continue reading
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Upcoming Botany Walk: Miracle Beach, June 1st 2015
Botany walk – June 1 – 10:0O am – Miracle Beach – Leader, Betty Brooks Betty will lead an easy walk in Miracle Beach Park – Meet at the main Beach Parking Lot at 10:00 am or car pool from … Continue reading
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Botany Outing Report: along the Puntledge, May 25th 2015
On Monday 6 botany group members went on a beautiful walk along the dry open area of the water pipes, then veered off towards the Puntledge river. After a windy path we had a short lunch break at the beach. … Continue reading
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Upcoming Botany Walk: along the Puntledge, May 25th 2015
I’ll lead a walk along the Puntledge next Monday (May 25th). We can meet at 10:15, at the North end of Powerhouse Rd, at the yellow barrier just before the pipeline. Lots of parking there. We’ll walk along the pipeline … Continue reading
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Botany Outing Report: K’omoks Estuary, May 18, 2015
Special Plants seen: Henderson’s Checker Mallow (rare, not yet in bloom), Seaside plantain, Indian paint brush, Pretty shooting star, Meadow and straight beaked buttercup, Northern rice root, and western St. Johns wort Trees: huge Sitka spruce, alder, Red Cedar, Crabapple, … Continue reading
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Botany Outing Report: Harewood Plains, May 11, 2015
Plants seen on the Harewood Plains outing on May 11: Indian Plum, bitter cherry, Saskatoon berry , sea blush, ocean spray, salal, orange honeysuckle, vetch – common and hairy, common forget me not, arbutus, creeping blackberry, big leaf maple, rose … Continue reading
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Botany Outing Report: Helliwell Park – Hornby Island, April 29, 2015
We enjoyed a cool but dry trip to Helliwell Park – the following plants were observed – Bluff ecosystem plants : Dwarf owl clover, camus, flax flower (rare), spring gold, sea blush, monkey flower, yerba Buena, poverty clover, tomcat clover, white … Continue reading
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