CVN Facebook Posts
(THIS EVENT IS FULL, join the waitlist through our events page) Comox Valley Nature invites you to a special opportunity to learn and connect with K'omoks First Nation storytelling, benefiting the KFN culture department. Pamela Mitchell, Culture Manager for KFN, has created a workshop around the legend of Dzunuk’wa the wild Woman of the Woods. Kwakwak’wakw oral tradition tells of a giantess that lives in dark forests and has thick messy hair, a black face and full red lips.This workshop is a great way to learn about local Indigenous traditions through a hands-on project that creates lasting memories about the K’ómoks First Nation culture. For this project we will be creating a wild woman ornament; you will colour the iconic red lips and face of the wild woman and hand-spin the wool for the crazy wild woman hair. While we work on our ornaments, Pamela will read her version of the wild woman story.This project takes about 1-1.5 hours. Workshop fee is $36 which includes the cost of a supply kit. Proceeds go to the KFN Culture Dept.Register through our CVN events page.https://comoxvalleynaturalist.bc.ca/events/
Drawing on the Salish Sea: A Zoom course in support of the Mitlenatch Island Stewardship Team (MIST)Have you wished that you could keep a nature journal or paint the life around you? During three Zoom sessions you can explore how to quickly capture wildflowers, inter-tidal life and birds You’ll learn how to draw quickly and accurately, starting with simple shapes, then using some refining techniques, which will help you draw with less frustration!You’ll look at materials: papers, pens, and coloured mediums like pencil crayons. Then you’ll jump into watercolours with a simple palette and mixes as well as quick watercolour techniques you can use in the field or at home. All the lessons will be accompanied with downloadable notes.You will finish the course ready to start your own Nature Journal.Zoom recordings will allow you watch the sessions at your convenience during the course and for a month after we wrap up. About Mitlenatch Island:Mitlenatch Island is a small rocky island that sits between Campbell River and Powell River, in the Salish Sea. Cast in the rain shadow of Vancouver Island, its flanks are clad in golden grasses and its meadows host an explosion of spring wildflowers. Anchored where tides rush in from the north and south, rich waters encircling the island teem with fish; intertidal life flourishes and thousands of seabirds nest on cliffs, in rocks, and on open ground. It’s shores provide refuge for mother seals with their pups, and haul out for sea lions in the winter. In recent years Humpbacks have returned to nearby waters, to feed on krill and schooling fish. With so much life, much of it on exposed nesting areas, the island has a special vulnerability. The Mist volunteer wardens are in place for the summer months to welcome people to the island (which is accessible by boat only) and to relate to visitors the natural and human history of the island. For 25 years Alison Watt has spent a week on the island in the summer, as a volunteer warden. Her journals are full of Mitlenatch sketches. She finds it a delight and a privilege to return each year to this jewel of the Salish Sea. MIST is a special organisation which works closely with BC Provincial Parks to ensure that Mitlenatch Island remains a haven for the plants and animals of the Salish Sea.Sign up and donate through www.alisonwatt.ca/drawing-on-the-salish-seaFor more information on Mitlenatch Island visit www.mitlenatch.ca/mitlenatch-island
Comox Valley Nature invites its members and the public to CVN’s October general meeting, where you can hear the following keynote presentation by our guest speaker: Birdbrains – Smarter than you think- with Sandra Milligan Once dismissed as “birdbrains,” birds are now recognized for their remarkable intelligence. Sandra explores the evolution of our understanding of avian neuroanatomy, focusing on local species. Through engaging stories and videos, Sandra explores how birds solve problems, use tools, express empathy, and communicate with rich vocabulary – inviting you to see these creatures with newfound respect and wonder.Sandra Milligan has been teaching university level biology at North Island College for over twenty years. With graduate degrees in neuroscience, she’s now a generalist, naturalist, and lifelong learner. In Campbell River, she’s a recognized environmental advocate and public educator. Her passion for birding has evolved into a deep interest in avian behaviour and intelligence. Drawing on her neuroanatomy background, Sandra has followed the growing research on bird cognition, confirming what many intuitively felt – birds display an extraordinary range of intelligent behaviours. Sunday, October 25, 2026 at 3 pm in the main hall of Comox United Church, 250 Beach Drive, Comox. Members of the public welcome.This will be an in-person only meeting. We will not record the presentation on this occasion [this is a correction to previous information].As always, there will be a break after the presentation with a chance to meet new people and socialize with old friends. Tea, coffee and treats will be available (by donation).A brief meeting follows. Reports from some of our interest groups and projects are an opportunity for guests to learn more about what we do.
It's that time of year! A couple of off leash dogs have been seen romping at the confluence of Morrison Creek and the Puntledge River. Dogs get quite excited to see those big chum. The chum do spawn right at the mouth of the creek, salmon eggs are very sensitive to disturbance so paws, or feet, in the creek kill eggs. Keep your dog on a leash, especially if you do not want a smelly dog! Dogs like to roll in dead fish. Salmon spook, be a quiet calm wildlife paparazzi.
Fish Walk!!! ( Well, not really...but don't miss this chance to follow their journey!)Join the Morrison Creek Streamkeepers for a walk along Morrison Creek, starting at its confluence with the Puntledge River in Puntledge Park, to watch salmon spawning after their remarkable journey back from the ocean. Register here: form.jotform.com/262924316992264
Category Archives: Ecology
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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Learn about wildfires and how to reduce harms
This webinar, which was originally planned for September 21, has been rescheduled as noted below. CVN members and the general public are invited to attend the following free online lecture hosted by the Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists: Title: To … Continue reading
Posted in Ecology, Guest Speakers
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New article: All about bunchberries
In the latest in our occasional series of long-form articles, Véronique McIntyre dug deep into the life histories and origins of the herbaceous members of the dogwood genus (Cornus) to find some lessons in anatomy, ecology and evolution. Learn all … Continue reading
Posted in Articles, Ecology, Evolution, Plants and fungi
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New article: A dwarf mistletoe’s story
If you’ve ever wondered about the dwarf mistletoe that you can see parasitizing coniferous trees in our forests, you can find out all about it in the latest addition to our occasional series of long-form articles, as Véronique McIntyre listens … Continue reading
Posted in Articles, Ecology, Evolution, Plants and fungi
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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 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 transforming tree farms into forests
Comox Valley Nature members and others recently attended the following webinar presented by the Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists: Title: On Transforming Tree-Farms into ForestsSpeaker: Tal EngelDate: Sunday, September 24, 2023 If you missed this event or would like to … Continue reading
Posted in Ecology, Guest Speakers
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Recording for talk on insectivorous birds in Strathcona Park
Comox Valley Nature members recently attended the following webinar presented by the Strathcona Wilderness Institute, facilitated by the Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists: Title: Climate Change and its Potential Impact on Insectivorous Bird Populations of Strathcona Provincial ParkSpeaker: Mateo JaeckelDate: … Continue reading
Posted in Birds, Climate, Ecology, Guest Speakers
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Learn about transforming tree farms into forests
Comox Valley Nature, in conjunction with the Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists, is pleased to present the following free online lecture: Title: On Transforming Tree-Farms into ForestsSpeaker: Tal EngelDate: Sunday, September 24, 2023Time: 7:00 p.m. PT The general public is … Continue reading
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