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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: Harewood Plains in Nanaimo, May 11th 2015
The next botany walk will be to Harewood Park in Nanaimo on May 11th.
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Botany Group Report: Mack Laing Park, April 13, 2015
BOTANY GROUP REPORT The Botany group met at Kate’s house on Orchard Park Drive on Monday April 13th. Helen circulated the preliminary version of the Comox Valley Plant List with its illustrated cover pages. Only a couple of additions remain before … Continue reading
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Upcoming Botany Walk: Kin Beach Provincial Park, April 8th
I will lead a walk at Kin Beach Provincial Park at 1:30 PM on Wednesday, April 8. The weather forecast sounds very good. We will meet at the picnic tables beside the main parking area. Sincerely, Helen Robinson
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Upcoming Botany Outing: Nettle Soup at Kate’s, and Mack Laing Park Plant Inventories Comparison from now to 1980 and 2005, on April 13th
Our next Botany group meeting will take place on Monday April 13th at the house of Kate 11.30 am. Kate has kindly offered to make Nettle Soup since urtica sp. is in season!! The focus of the meeting will be … Continue reading
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Botany Outing Report: Mar. 9, 2015
Botanists met at the Maingon house on the Tsolum River. The sun came out and we had a nice walk along the river to see the coltsfoot in bloom and lots of leaves of various plants, but no fawn lilies … Continue reading
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Botany Outing Report: Kitty Coleman Park, Feb. 17, 2015
11 members enjoyed a calm and sunny walk at Kitty Coleman Provincial Park from 10:30 to 12 noon. First, we examined the “Green Shores Treatment” of horizontally placing older rooted trees, anchored by cables to deeply buried rock or concrete, … Continue reading
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Upcoming Botany Walk: Kitty Coleman Provincial Park, Feb 17th
Robbie and I will lead a field trip to Kitty Coleman Provincial Park on Tuesday, February 17. Meet at the Seal Bay parking lot on Bates Road at 10:15 or at the Kitty Coleman boat ramp at 10:30. We will … Continue reading
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Botany Meeting: Ferns and Mosses, Feb 9th
Botany meeting: February 9th – 11:30 at Karin’s Bring your books on ferns and mosses – If Jocie can make it we will do mosses – otherwise will discuss local ferns and go out and look at what … Continue reading
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Botany Outing Report: Puntledge River, Apr. 14, 2014
Along the trails of Puntledge Park & Ruth Masters Greenway, botanists had a fine display of trilliums, fawn lilies, slender toothwort , bleedingheart, skunk cabbage and the yellow stream violet in full bloom. Plants emerging were false bugbane, vanilla leaf, … Continue reading
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Botany Meeting Report: Seal Bay Park, Nov. 11, 2013
A dozen botanists met at a member’s home near Seal Bay Park and reviewed the updated Comox Valley Plant List compiled by Helen Robinson. The list is organized alphabetically by scientific family name & can be download from the Publications … Continue reading
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