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 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
Posted in Conservation and Restoration, Guest Speakers
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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
Posted in Conservation and Restoration, News
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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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