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: Field Trips
Entomology and botany at Mt. Washington, July 2026
Véronique M., former co-leader of the Botany Group, sends this note, complete with a set of slides, for your viewing pleasure. I made a very short PowerPoint from the Mount Washington outing we did July 7 under Martin Dollenkamp’s leadership. … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, Insects and arachnids, Plants and fungi
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Botany at Bear Creek Park, March 2026
The Botany Group visited Bear Creek Nature Park on March 3. The focus was on the plants and plant communities of a beautiful second growth bigleaf maple and conifers forest. The walk included a short floodplain section and a very … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, Learning material, Plants and fungi
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Botany at Nymph Falls, February 2026
Members of the Botany Group enjoyed a field trip to the Nymph Falls trails along the Puntledge River on February 3. The trip was repeated on February 7 with an invitation for public participation. In the mild winter conditions (no … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, Learning material, Plants and fungi
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Botany at the Exhibition Grounds, January 2026
A small contingent of botany enthusiasts enjoyed an outing on the trails adjacent to the Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds (a.k.a. the Tsolum River flats) on January 13, 2026. The main focus was on the mosses, which are beautiful at this … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, Learning material, Plants and fungi
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Botany at Kitty Coleman Park, December 2025
On December 2, the Botany Group met at Kitty Coleman Provincial Park to explore both a typical Douglas-fir forest and the estuary at this coastal location. The focus was on the lush mosses and on signs of both winter setting … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, Learning material, Plants and fungi
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Botany at Mama Bear Trail, October 2025
On October 14, the Botany Group explored part of the very pleasant Mama Bear Trail in Cumberland Community Forest. The focus of the trip was on the lush ferns and mosses, as well as the early fungi that the recent … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, Learning material, Plants and fungi
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Shoreline Group visited Quinsam hatchery
Report by Yvette Crane, co-leader of the Shoreline Group. The Shoreline and Marine Group of CVN enjoyed several wonderful field trips this season. Here is a highlight from our trip to Quinsam River Hatchery and hike along the Quinsam nature … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, Shoreline and Marine
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Botany at Paradise Meadows, August 2025
On August 9, a small contingent (two leaders and one member) from the Botany Group enjoyed a mid- to late-summer field trip to Paradise Meadows. This subalpine environment (elevation 1200 m) offers many plants different from those at lower levels. … Continue reading
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Botany at Thames Creek, June 2025
On their first trip (at least in recent years) to Thames Creek near Bowser on June 3, repeated with public participation on June 14, the Botany Group enjoyed exploring the variety of habitats in the area. The presence of old-growth … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, Learning material, Plants and fungi
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Botany at the Airpark, May 2025
Botany Group members enjoyed a field trip to the Courtenay Airpark on May 6 (repeated with public participation on May 10). With the (perhaps surprising) diversity of plants at this urban location, there was much to see, ranging from algae … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, Learning material, Plants and fungi
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