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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
16 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
Learn about seed-based restoration for urban settings
Comox Valley Nature members and the general public are invited to the following free online lecture presented by CVN and facilitated by the Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists: Title: Seed-based Restoration for Urban Settings on Vancouver IslandSpeakers: Kristen Miskelly (Satinflower … Continue reading
Posted in Conservation and Restoration, Guest Speakers, Plants and fungi
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Recording for talk on Vanier Garry oak restoration
Comox Valley Nature recently hosted the following webinar, facilitated by the Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists: Title: Conserving and Restoring a Legacy: Vanier Forest Garry Oak Restoration ProjectSpeakers: Jim Boulter, Karen Cummins, Eloise HollandDate: Sunday, January 21, 2024 If you … Continue reading
Posted in Conservation and Restoration, Ecology, Guest Speakers, Plants and fungi
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Learn about restoring Garry oaks in Vanier Forest
Comox Valley Nature members and the general public are invited to the following free online lecture presented by CVN and facilitated by the Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists: Title: Conserving and Restoring a Legacy: Vanier Forest Garry Oak Restoration ProjectSpeakers: … Continue reading
Posted in Conservation and Restoration, Ecology, Guest Speakers, Plants and fungi
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Recording for talk on climate adaptation at the local scale
Comox Valley Nature members and others recently attended the following webinar facilitated by the Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists: Title: Beyond Climate Change: the nuts and bolts of adaptation at the local scaleSpeaker: Dr. Ruth WaldickDate: Sunday, December 10, 2023 … Continue reading
Posted in Climate, Conservation and Restoration, Guest Speakers
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Learn about climate adaptation at the local scale
Comox Valley Nature members and the general public are invited to the following free online lecture facilitated by the Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists: Title: Beyond Climate Change: the nuts and bolts of adaptation at the local scaleSpeaker: Dr. Ruth … Continue reading
Posted in Climate, Conservation and Restoration, Guest Speakers
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Recording for talk on 21st century forest solutions
Comox Valley Nature members and others recently attended the following webinar presented by the Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists: Title: 21st-Century Forest Solutions: How Can We Slow Down or Stop: Heat Domes, Droughts, Forest Fires, & Flooding?Speaker: Erik PiikkilaDate: Sunday, … Continue reading
Posted in Climate, Conservation and Restoration, Ecology, Guest Speakers
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Learn about BC Nature’s work on Key Biodiversity Areas
Comox Valley Nature invites its members and the general public to the following free online lecture, facilitated by the Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists: Title: Key Biodiversity Areas and Protected Areas: B.C. Nature Projects in 2023Speakers: Liam Ragan and Kephra … Continue reading
Posted in BC Nature, Conservation and Restoration, Guest Speakers
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Learn about 21st century forest solutions
Comox Valley Nature members and the general public are invited to the following free online lecture presented by the Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists: Title: 21st-Century Forest Solutions: How Can We Slow Down or Stop: Heat Domes, Droughts, Forest Fires, … Continue reading
Posted in Climate, Conservation and Restoration, Ecology, Guest Speakers
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Recording for talk on amphibian populations in old-growth microclimates
In April, Comox Valley Nature members and others attended the following webinar facilitated by the Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists: Title: Amphibian Populations in the Old-growth Microclimates of British ColumbiaSpeaker: Mark ThompsonDate: Sunday, April 16, 2023 If you missed this … Continue reading
Posted in Amphibians and reptiles, Conservation and Restoration, Guest Speakers
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Old growth forests and the Marbled Murrelet
We know many reasons why old-growth forests should be conserved. One reason that has been in the mainstream news in recent times (and earlier) is the Marbled Murrelet, particularly in the Fairy Creek watershed. (For example, see this story in … Continue reading
Posted in Birds, Conservation and Restoration, Ecology
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