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Recent Posts
- 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
- BC Nature scholarships available
- Brandt Research Grant 2026 awarded
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CVN Facebook Posts
4 days ago
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 15.4 days ago
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 ...
5 days ago
1 week ago
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 ...
2 weeks ago
The following letter is from Save Our Forests Team - Comox Valley, on the subject of Bear James Park ...
Category Archives: Field Trips
Botany on the Trent River trail (part 2)
From an email by Jocie to the Botany/Mycology Group on June 21. Click a photo to enlarge it. Here are some more of Véronique’s lovely photos of seeds (first 6) and flowers (last 6) from our visit to the Trent … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, Plants and fungi
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Tidepooling at Point Holmes with Rick Harbo
On June 4, 2023, the Shoreline Group enjoyed an excellent outing at Point Holmes with special guest leader Rick Harbo. You can download the full trip report and a list of species observed. Below are photos of a few of … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, Shoreline and Marine
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Botany on the Trent River trail (part 1)
From an email by Jocie to the Botany/Mycology Group on June 21. Click a photo to enlarge it. On Monday we enjoyed a leisurely ramble along the ridge above the Trent River, accessing the trail from the end of Hatton … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, Molluscs, Plants and fungi
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Cumberland Marsh botany highlights
From an email by Jocie to the Botany/Mycology Group on May 17. Click a photo to enlarge it. Last week we took a walk along Cumberland Marsh from Jumbo’s cabin to the coal hills above the old Japanese townsite. Many … Continue reading
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Roy Morrison Nature Park walk
From an email by Jocie to the Botany/Mycology Group on April 19. Click a photo to enlarge it. We had a wet and cold walk in Roy Morrison Nature Park on Monday April 17 (should I have canceled?) Nonetheless, 7 … Continue reading
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Kitty Coleman botany highlights
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on March 18. Click a photo to enlarge it. We had a brilliant sunny day for our March 13 walk at Kitty Coleman Beach Provincial Park, and thanks to Robbie we … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, Insects and arachnids, Plants and fungi
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Upper Puntledge botany and fungi notes
This report by Alison M. was distributed to the Botany Group by Jocie on March 4. Click a photo to enlarge it. On February 11 we walked down the south side of the Puntledge River from the dam. Too early … Continue reading
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Botany walk at Roy Morrison Nature Park
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on February 19. Click a photo to enlarge it. We had a good walk around Roy Morrison Nature Park on February 13, seeing many wonderful things. We focused mainly on winter … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, Insects and arachnids, Plants and fungi
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Bear Creek fall botany
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on December 4. Click a photo to enlarge it. We snuck in a walk at Bear Creek Regional Park last week (Nov. 26) just before the recent snowfall. It was a … Continue reading
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Miracle Beach part 2: Mosses plus
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on November 13. Click a photo to enlarge it. Here is part 2 from our Miracle Beach outing on November 7: mosses and a taildropper slug. Thanks Veronique, Alison and Karen … Continue reading
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