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: Conservation and Restoration
Learn about the proposed New Forest Act, June 15
The New Forest Act Roadshow, initiated by the Boundary Forest Watershed Stewardship Society (BFWSS), is a series of public presentations across British Columbia explaining why BC’s current forestry system is failing, and what a workable legislative solution looks like. That … Continue reading
Posted in Conservation and Restoration, Events, Public policy
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Brandt Memorial Conservation lectures coming March 8
In honour of Charles Brandt, long-time and much-admired conservationist in the Comox Valley, our Brandt Memorial Committee has organized an afternoon of stimulating and informative lectures on the theme of salmon conservation: Date: Sunday March 8, 2026Time: 1:30 – 4:30 … Continue reading
Posted in Conservation and Restoration, Guest Speakers
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Brandt memorial event needs you
Watch this space and our other channels in the coming weeks for information about the event referenced here. This planning message from our Charles Brandt Memorial committee is intended for CVN members. Dear CVN members: CVN is hosting an important … Continue reading
Posted in Conservation and Restoration, Guest Speakers, Miscellaneous
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Recording for talk on Tsolum River resilience
Comox Valley Nature hosted the following presentation at our January 2026 general meeting: Title: Tsolum River Watershed – River Resilience in the 21st CenturySpeaker: Laura O’Brien (Tsolum River Restoration Society)Date: Sunday, January 25, 2026 If you missed this event or … Continue reading
Posted in Conservation and Restoration, General Meetings, Guest Speakers
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Learn about mining and the environment in northern Ontario
CVN members and the public are invited to attend the following free online lecture hosted by the Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists: Title: Mining and the Environment in Northern OntarioSpeaker: Dr. Constance O’Connor (Wildlife Conservation Society)Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026Time: … Continue reading
Posted in Conservation and Restoration, Guest Speakers
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Help plant trees at Lazo Marsh Wildlife Management Area
Nature Trust of British Columbia is calling for volunteers to help plant trees at the Lazo Marsh Wildlife Management Area (WMA) on Monday, January 19. The West Coast Conservation Land Management Program of Nature Trust BC manages this important conservation … Continue reading
Posted in Conservation and Restoration
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Learn about Tsolum River resilience at our January general meeting
Comox Valley Nature invites its members and the public to CVN’s January general meeting. where you can hear the following keynote presentation by our guest speaker: Title: Tsolum River Watershed – River Resilience in the 21st CenturySpeaker: Laura O’Brien (Tsolum … Continue reading
Posted in Conservation and Restoration, General Meetings, Guest Speakers
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Airpark restoration project – 2025 report
At the end of another impactful year of restoration work at the Courtenay Airpark, long-time project leader Frank Hovenden has provided his illustrated annual report which you can read and download here (PDF, 5.1 MB). As usual, the dedicated project … Continue reading
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Help preserve Hamilton Marsh near Qualicum Beach
The Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region (MABR) has launched a Conditional Pledge Drive to help secure the remaining 24.8% of the $30,000,000 goal to acquire the ecologically vital 360-hectare Hamilton Marsh and Forest. Hamilton Marsh is one of the last remaining … Continue reading
Posted in Conservation and Restoration, News
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Learn about the medicinal plants of Cumberland
The Cumberland Community Forest Society invites you to participate in an autumn herb walk to learn about the medicinal plants of Cumberland. Herbalist Amanda Howe will lead this fundraising event and donate all proceeds to CCFS to support their campaign … Continue reading
Posted in Conservation and Restoration, News, Plants and fungi
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