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Recent Posts
- Learn about coho and Brooklyn Creek stewardship at our September general meeting
- Enjoy an afternoon of storytelling with author Caroll Simpson
- 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
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CVN Facebook Posts
1 day ago
The Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis laingi) is a top-level avian predator in mature and old coastal rainforests and is considered an indicator species of these habitats, as well as an indicator of forest health and biodiversity.Over half of the global range of this subspecies occurs in coastal British Columbia, where it favours mature coniferous forest. This non-migratory bird needs a relatively large home range that contains a good food supply. Despite some recent habitat protection efforts, continuing habitat loss is predicted, in part because of anticipated short rotation times in forest harvest. On Haida Gwaii, populations are very low and face an added risk from declines of prey species due to forest understory losses associated with high levels of browsing from an introduced population of deer.The Gitsegukla Huwilp of the Gitxsan.have drafted a petition to call for the legal protection of Northern Goshawks. These birds are keystone species in the Skeena Natural Resource Region which covers northwest British Columbia and includes the northern half of the Great Bear Rainforest. The coastal subspecies of Northern Goshawk on Haida Gwaii is the most vulnerable.The petition urges the Province of British Columbia to recognize and implement Regionally Important Wildlife protection for the Northern Goshawk. To sign please go to form.jotform.com/261745367749068For more information on the Goshawk visit www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/species-risk-public-registry/cosewic-assessm...4 days ago
Our partners in conservation; CV Land Trust & Conservation Partnership are crowdfunding to purchase a very ecologically important property in Deep Bay. ...4 days ago
Comox Valley Nature invites its members and the public to CVN’s September general meeting, this Sunday, September 27th.This month John Neilson will be speaking on “The Challenges in Maintaining an Urban Salmon Population – the Brooklyn Creek Story”
Streams in urban environments that support healthy Pacific salmon populations are uncommon, as natural watercourses are often degraded or even buried during the course of development of roads and other urban infrastructure. Of the various Pacific salmon species, coho salmon show special abilities to survive and even thrive in close proximity to human settlements. In this talk, John Neilson reviews the status of coho salmon in the region, and explores the characteristics of this species that promote their resilience. He will also speak of the work of the Brooklyn Creek Watershed Society as they work to conserve the watershed in Comox.
Dr. John Neilson has had a 30-year long career as a research scientist with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, including leading research on the population status and ecology of bluefin tuna and swordfish in Canadian waters. He was also a member of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), and most recently, led the preparation of the status report on chinook salmon in southern British Columbia. He is the President of the Brooklyn Creek Watershed Society.
A brief business meeting follows. Reports from some of our interest groups and projects are an opportunity for guests to learn more about what we do. ...
1 week ago
☀️ 💦 What a great way to wrap up the summer with a splash! We're joining our large community of folks who love and care for our watersheds. Come celebrate and learn--and chat with MARS and meet one of our wildlife ambassadors on the glove. Look for our green tent.It's wonderful opportunity to get to know the special community organizations who steward the natural systems and beautiful landscapes that surround us. Discover key land, water, and climate issues facing our community, find out how you can get involved, and learn more about the long standing stewardship of K'omoks people, the original keepers of this land.
Explore restoration and habitat enhancement projects, salmon cycles, drinking water, forests, creeks, wetlands and estuaries - and so much more. Start the day with Yoga by the River, participate in watershed art projects, enjoy kids activities, take in some hands-on learning, or join a guided walk - all looking out over the Puntledge River. Uncover all the ways we are truly Connected by Water in the Comox Valley.
Look at these activities!
🧘 Gentle Flow Yoga for the River (bring a mat!) with Annicia 9:30-10:30 am
💦 Lake Park Society - Environmental Games for Kids - all day
🌀 Woven by Water - Participatory Watershed Art with Plants are Teachers - all day
🥒 Luke the Cuke - Pop Up Poetry, Games and Riverside Antics 9 am -1 pm
🚶 Morrison Creek Guided Walk 11 am - Meet at Morrison Streamkeepers Tent
🎶 Reverberation Song Circle - join in and sing 12 noon
🎨 Intro to Field Drawing with Lyndsay 1:00 pm - Meet at Cumberland Forest tent
🎻 Music for the River w/ Cam Boyce - to close the day
Family Watershed Day is presented by the members of the Comox Valley Conservation Partnership and their community partners.
K'ómoks First Nation Project Watershed Plants Are Teachers Cumberland Forest Comox Valley Nature CV Land Trust & Conservation Partnership ...
2 weeks ago
The CVN photo group met last night for its September meeting and here are a few of the photos we shared with one another.Species and photographer shown in each photo... ...
Category Archives: Ecology
SWI plant diversity workshop, June 28
The Strathcona Wilderness Institute is holding a workshop in its “Discovering Our Biodiversity” Series” on June 28: Title: From the Salish Sea to Paradise Meadows: exploring flora, habitats, and communitiesLeaders: Mary Sanseverino and Loys MaingonWhen: Sunday, June 28, 9:00 a.m. … Continue reading
Posted in Ecology, Events, Plants and fungi
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Brandt Research Grant 2026 awarded
CVN’s Brandt Memorial Committee has awarded its first grant for Honours or Graduate-level environmental research in the North Island region. The grant program honours the legacy of Charles Brandt (1923–2020), a noted Comox Valley naturalist and conservationist who left a … Continue reading
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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Botany at Ruth Masters Greenway, April 2025
The Botany Group’s early-spring field trip to Ruth Masters Greenway on April 1 (repeated on April 12) was a followup to the winter outing in January. Although plenty of spring growth was visible, including some flowers, observing bark, branches and … Continue reading
Posted in Ecology, Field Trips, Learning material, Plants and fungi
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Botany at Lazo Marsh, March 2025
The Botany Group made a late-winter visit to Lazo Marsh on March 4 (repeated on March 15) to continue identifying plants without the aids of leaves, flowers or fruits. This was the first trip that repeated the usual first Tuesday … Continue reading
Posted in Ecology, Field Trips, Learning material, Plants and fungi
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Recording for talk on Buttle Lake ecology
The Strathcona Wilderness Institute recently hosted the following online presentation, facilitated by the Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists: Title: Observations on the fish and aquatic ecology of Buttle LakeSpeaker: Paige StuartDate: Tuesday, August 27, 2024 If you missed this event … Continue reading
Posted in Ecology, Freshwater organisms, Guest Speakers
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Learn about Buttle Lake ecology
CVN members and the general public are invited to attend the following free online lecture hosted by the Strathcona Wilderness Institute, and facilitated by the Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists: Title: Observations on the fish and aquatic ecology of Buttle … Continue reading
Posted in Ecology, Freshwater organisms, Guest Speakers
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New Article: New microorganism and biodiversity in Strathcona Park
A new addition by Loys Maingon to our occasional series of long-form articles examines the implications of the discovery of a microorganism in Strathcona Provincial Park that appears to be new to science. Read this important article here: “Biodiversity and … Continue reading
Posted in Articles, Conservation and Restoration, Ecology, Microorganisms
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Recording for talk on reducing wildfire harms
Comox Valley Nature members and others recently attended the following webinar hosted by the Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists: Title: To Reduce the Social and Economic Damage from High Severity Wildfires, We Must Transform our LandscapesSpeaker: Bob Gray (R.W. Gray … Continue reading
Posted in Ecology, Guest Speakers
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