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Recent Posts
- SWI workshop: Subalpine mycology 2026
- Entomology and botany at Mt. Washington, July 2026
- Smartphone photography for iNaturalist
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- Learn about the proposed New Forest Act, June 15
- SWI plant diversity workshop, June 28
- Sophia Priestman, CVN Bursary recipient, 2026
- Bruce Moffat’s nature photography talk materials
- BC Nature scholarships available
- Brandt Research Grant 2026 awarded
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CVN Facebook Posts
14 hours ago
The City of Courtenay is developing a long-term vision for Bill Moore Park and Dogwood Park to guide future improvements. To help guide these decisions, three initial concepts have been developed, and there is an opportunity for you to offer your input.The latest survey on the City website engagecomoxvalley.ca/bill-moore-and-dogwood-park asks for feedback on three concept plans and specifically which concept you prefer. The three concepts present a range of recreation possibilities and there is room on the survey for your comments.Dogwood Park is a 2.32‑hectare nature park featuring mature forested areas, natural habitat and a small wetland. Only Concept A will maintain the intact forest areas in Dogwood Park. Concepts B and C propose increased recreation in the park including an off leash dog park, disc golf course, pump track (a purpose built track for children’s cycling) and nature play areas. While the planners may say that no trees or few trees will be taken down to accommodate this, the under-story will not survive this level of trampling and fragmentation. The trees as well as all the wildlife who now call that area home will disappear over time. For those of us who value this forest, Concept A is the only option that makes sense.Dogwood Park is one of the few islands of green for many, many blocks. It provides habitat for wildlife, shade, retains water and acts as a carbon sink. On the architect's base plan of current conditions it is now characterized as an "underutilized space". The City has heard from sports enthusiasts but not nature lovers. Let them know why you value an intact forest and your connection to it. The survey is open until Sept 15.1 day ago
The Canadian Coalition for Invasive Plant Regulation (CCIPR) wants the federal government to establish a regulatory body for the horticultural industry and create a national database identifying invasive plants and their risks in different regions."Even if we don't prohibit them, we need to let the public know when there is potential harm," said CCIPR co-founder Cathy Kavassalis. "We do this on other products, and we should do it on plants too. It's just common sense."
In July, Nanaimo council passed a motion to pursue a bylaw amendment restricting the sale of plants on a list maintained by the Invasive Species Council of B.C. A week later, Surrey moved to ban sales by businesses including nurseries, large retail chains and florists.
Kavassalis said a problem that could be addressed at higher levels of government is being pushed down to municipalities."These are all patchwork solutions that, in some ways, just waste a lot of resources," she said.
The CCIPR says a national database could give provinces, territories, retailers and gardeners a shared source of information about which plants pose risks in different regions. Kavassalis also wants invasive plants removed from shelves or clearly labelled.
For more on this story visit www.cbc.ca/news/science/invasive-plants-sale-federal-regulation-9.7312362 or see our link in bio ...
2 days ago
1 week ago
The Canadian Coalition for Invasive Plant Regulation (CCIPR) wants the federal government to establish a regulatory body for the horticultural industry and create a national database identifying invasive plants and their risks in different regions."Even if we don't prohibit them, we need to let the public know when there is potential harm," said CCIPR co-founder Cathy Kavassalis. "We do this on other products, and we should do it on plants too. It's just common sense."
In July, Nanaimo council passed a motion to pursue a bylaw amendment restricting the sale of plants on a list maintained by the Invasive Species Council of B.C. A week later, Surrey moved to ban sales by businesses including nurseries, large retail chains and florists.
Kavassalis said a problem that could be addressed at higher levels of government is being pushed down to municipalities. "These are all patchwork solutions that, in some ways, just waste a lot of resources," she said.
The CCIPR says a national database could give provinces, territories, retailers and gardeners a shared source of information about which plants pose risks in different regions. Kavassalis also wants invasive plants removed from shelves or clearly labelled.
For more on this story visit www.cbc.ca/news/science/invasive-plants-sale-federal-regulation-9.7312362 ...
2 weeks ago
The following letter is from Save Our Forests Team - Comox Valley, on the subject of Bear James Park ...
Category Archives: Conservation and Restoration
Rotary Trail English ivy pull
Comox Valley Nature invites the community to participate in an invasive English ivy pull in the Dogwood Park/Rotary Trail area. The event will tentatively (depending on weather) be on September 27, from 1–4 p.m. We will meet at the 21st … Continue reading
Posted in Conservation and Restoration, Plants and fungi
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Community invited to celebrate Family Watershed Day
Join stewardship and streamkeeping groups from across the Comox Valley on Saturday September 20 from 10 a.m. till 3 p.m. in Puntledge Park for Family Watershed Day! This annual event celebrates the incredible work of local organizations, highlights stewardship and … Continue reading
Posted in Conservation and Restoration, Education
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Recording for talk on growing old-growth forests
Comox Valley Nature hosted the following presentation at our May 2025 general meeting: Title: Growing Old Growth: The relationships that define the future of our forestsSpeaker: Tal Engel (WolfTree Integrative Forest Rehabilitation)Date: Sunday, May 25, 2025 Our own recording of … Continue reading
Posted in Conservation and Restoration, Ecology, Guest Speakers
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Learn about growing old-growth forests at our next general meeting
Comox Valley Nature members and the general public are invited to CVN’s May general meeting. where you can hear the following keynote presentation by our guest speaker: Title: Growing Old Growth: The relationships that define the future of our forestsSpeaker: … Continue reading
Posted in Conservation and Restoration, Ecology, Guest Speakers
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Audio and slides for “Bird Friendly” Comox talk
Comox Valley Nature hosted the following presentation at our April 2025 general meeting: Title: The Bird Friendly Cities Initiative in ComoxSpeakers: Robert McLennan, James MacKenzie, Dianna TalbotDate: Sunday, April 27, 2025 The presentation was in two parts. Robert and James … Continue reading
Posted in Birds, Conservation and Restoration, Guest Speakers
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Learn about the Comox “Bird Friendly” initiative at our next general meeting
Comox Valley Nature members and the general public are invited to CVN’s April general meeting. where you can hear the following keynote presentation by our guest speaker: Title: The Bird Friendly Cities Initiative in ComoxSpeakers: Robert McLennan, James MacKenzie, Dianna … Continue reading
Posted in Birds, Conservation and Restoration, General Meetings, Guest Speakers
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Recordings for the two March meeting talks
Comox Valley Nature hosted the following keynote presentation at our March 2025 general meeting: Title: Introduction to the Little River Enhancement SocietySpeaker: Henry Ellis and Don Hicks (Little River Enhancement Society)Date: Sunday, March 23, 2025 If you missed this event … Continue reading
Posted in Birds, Conservation and Restoration, Guest Speakers
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Learn about pronghorn antelope in Alberta
The Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists invites CVN members and the general public to attend the following free online lecture: Title: All paths stop at the fence: Pronghorn antelope management in southern AlbertaSpeaker: Paul Jones (Alberta Conservation Association)Date: Thursday, April … Continue reading
Posted in Conservation and Restoration, Guest Speakers, Mammals
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Learn about the Little River Enhancement Society
Comox Valley Nature members and the general public are invited to CVN’s March general meeting for the following keynote presentation: Title: Introduction to the Little River Enhancement SocietySpeakers: Henry Ellis and Don HicksDate: Sunday, March 23, 2025Time: 3:00 p.m. PTLocation: … Continue reading
Posted in Conservation and Restoration, General Meetings, Guest Speakers
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Recording for talk on Kus-kus-sum restoration
Comox Valley Nature hosted the following presentation at our October 2024 general meeting: Title: An Overview of the Kus-kus-sum Restoration ProjectSpeaker: Caitlin Pierzchalski (Project Watershed)Date: Sunday, October 27, 2024 If you missed this event or would like to see it … Continue reading
Posted in Conservation and Restoration, Guest Speakers
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