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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
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- Brandt Research Grant 2026 awarded
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CVN Facebook Posts
3 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 ...
4 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: Weekend Walks
March 1, 2020 Sunday Bird Walk – Cumberland Marsh
New birders are welcome to join experienced birders for this early Spring bird watching outing to Cumberland Marsh. This walk will be about 1.5 km in length on level pathways. We will be bird watching for about 2 hours. Meet … Continue reading
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Weekend Walk Schedule for Spring 2020
The advance schedule of weekend walks for members for the period from February 16 to May 16 is now available. Download it here. Of these trips, the ones on the following dates will be open to the public: March 22 … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walks: October 2018 – February 2019
MASTER SCHEDULE: Variances only announced by Loys Maingon Questions: CVN Walks October 2018 -February 2019 .PDF CVN WALKS: October 2018 to February 2019 All walks minimum 2 hrs PARTICIPANTS SHOULD MEET EITHER AT CARPOOLING LOCATION OR AT TRAILHEADS Carpooling … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Sunday, 29th July 2018, Hike to Aston Pond
SUN. July 29, 8:30am: Hike to Aston Pond (near Panther Lake) A long day hike (14 km round trip) with biologist Loys Maingon on subalpine pond ecology. Pack a lunch. Meet at Parking area on Strathcona Parkway just off Highway … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Saturday, 28th July 2018, Paradise Meadows – Trees & Lichens
SAT. July 28, 1:00pm : Nature Walk –Paradise Meadows – trees & Lichens A 2-2 ½ hour walk around the Meadows led by forester Margaret Symon. Meet at the Strathcona Park Wilderness Centre, Paradise Meadows at 1:00 pm. Sturdy footwear … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Sunday, 22nd July 2018, Hike up Mt Becher
SUN. July 22, 9:00am: Hike up Mt Becher – Evolution of land plants. Paleontologist Randal Mindell will use examples from the hike up Mt Becher (11km round trip) to show how land plants evolved. Meet at the trailhead at the … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Saturday, 21st July 2018, Paradise Meadows flora & fauna
SAT. July 21, time 9:30am : Nature Walk –Paradise Meadows flora & fauna Naturalist Joel Kositsky will lead a 2-2 ½ hour walk around the Meadows . Meet at the Strathcona Park Wilderness Centre, Paradise Meadows, at 9:30 am. Sturdy … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Sunday, 15th July 2018, Geology of Karst Creek Nature Trail
SUN. July 15, 10:30 am: Nature Walk – Geology of Karst Creek Nature Trail, Buttle Lake Area Paleontologist Randal Mindell will lead an easy walk around the 2km Karst Creek trail at Buttle Lake. Meet at the trailhead, on Westmin … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Saturday, 14th July 2018, McKenzie Meadows Hike
SAT. July 14, 8:30 am: McKenzie Meadows Hike– Subalpine ecosystems An easy, 3 km one-way hike from trailhead into McKenzie & Douglas Lakes & the Meadows, with biologist Loys Maingon. Meet at Parking area on Strathcona Parkway just off Highway … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Sunday, 8th July 2018, Circlet Lake Hike
SUN. July 8, 8:30 am: Circlet Lake Hike – Avalanche Lily search. Biologist Loys Maingon will lead this strenuous full-day hike up to the vicinity of Circlet Lake – 20 km round trip. Pack a lunch. Expect wet snow beyond … Continue reading
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