CVN Facebook Posts
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.
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
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
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 the benefits of Garry oak ecosystems
Comox Valley Nature is pleased to host the following free online lecture: Title: Garry Oak Ecosystems – Benefits to Urban AreasSpeaker: Thomas MunsonDate: Sunday, February 20, 2022Time: 7:00 p.m. PST This webinar is facilitated by the Canadian Society of Environmental … Continue reading
Posted in Conservation and Restoration, Ecology, Guest Speakers
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Do you have a bat box?
This article about a Canada-wide community science project is contributed to our website (and other outlets) by Karen Vanderwolf, a PhD student at Trent University and Research Associate at New Brunswick Museum. A more detailed article will appear in CVN’s … Continue reading
Posted in Conservation and Restoration
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Vanier Garry oaks project next step – delegation to Courtenay Council
In March, our Board of Directors approved a CVN proposal for a restoration and stewardship pilot project to protect and enhance Garry oaks in Vanier Forest. Much research and planning work has already been done by a dedicated team of … Continue reading
Posted in Conservation and Restoration
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Recording available for talk on bryophyte research in Strathcona Park
The Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists recently hosted the following webinar, to which CVN members and the general public were invited: Title: Citizen Science Engagement in Surveys of Bryophytes and Lichens in Strathcona Provincial ParkSpeaker: Daniel TuckerDate: Sunday, May 9, … Continue reading
Posted in Conservation and Restoration, Guest Speakers, Plants and fungi
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Learn about citizen science in surveys of bryophytes in Strathcona Park
The Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists is hosting a free online lecture as follows: Title: Citizen Science Engagement in Surveys of Bryophytes and Lichens in Strathcona Provincial ParkSpeaker: Daniel TuckerDate: Sunday, May 9, 2021Time: 7:00 p.m. PDT This talk is … Continue reading
Posted in Conservation and Restoration, Guest Speakers, Plants and fungi
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CSEB talk: Ecosystem services in conservation planning
CVN members were invited to attend the online lecture described below, hosted by the Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists. The recording of this talk is now available (see link at the end of this post). Title: Incorporating ecosystem services into … Continue reading
Posted in Conservation and Restoration, Guest Speakers
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CSEB talk: Indigenous management of salmon
CVN members were invited to attend the online lecture described below, hosted by the Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists. The recording of this talk is now availabile. Title: Indigenous Systems of Management for Culturally and Ecologically Resilient Pacific Salmon FisheriesSpeakers: … Continue reading
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Learn about logging and bear dens
The Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists is hosting a free online lecture as follows: Title: Impacts of Forest Harvesting on the Supply of Bear Dens in Coastal BCSpeaker: Helen DavisDate: Tuesday, April 6, 2021Time: 10:00 a.m. PDT This talk is … Continue reading
Posted in Conservation and Restoration, Guest Speakers, Mammals
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Herring conservation report
CVN members will be interested in Dr. John Neilson’s report to Conservancy Hornby Island on the need to protect herring in our area. The report is titled “The Science Case for a Marine Protected Area in Lambert Channel: Conservation Benefits … Continue reading
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BCWF Workshop “Map Our Marshes” in June
CVN members may be interested in this free two-day workshop to be held in June by the BC Wildlife Federation. Here is their description: “Wetlands can filter water, mitigate flooding, and provide critical habitat to hundreds of species. Unfortunately, wetlands … Continue reading
Posted in Conservation and Restoration, Ecology, Miscellaneous, News
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