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Recent Posts
- SWI workshop: Subalpine mycology 2026
- Entomology and botany at Mt. Washington, July 2026
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- Learn about the proposed New Forest Act, June 15
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- 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
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 15.5 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
2 weeks 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
Upcoming Walk: Stotan Falls, May 2nd
Saturday May 2nd. (Public walk). 9:30-12:00 Stotan Falls. With well-known naturalist, professional biologist, riparian and wetland ecology specialist. Meet at Harmston at 9:00 am or 9:30 at Stotan Falls. Leader: Loys Maingon
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Upcoming Event: Spring Bird Count, May 3rd
Sunday May 3rd. (Club event). Spring Bird Count
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Upcoming Walk: Puntledge River from Comox Lake, April 27th
Saturday, April 27th. (Earth Day April 22th). (Club walk). Puntledge River from Comox Lake. Meet at Harmston at 9:30 am or at the Upper Dam at 10:00am (Follow Comox Lake Road and turn right at the Rod and Gun Club). … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: New: Bear Creek Park. (old Paradise Meadows Loop Walk), April 18th
Saturday, April 18th (CLUB WALK ). Bear Creek Park. Meet at Country Market just north of Courtenay at 9:30 or 10am at park entrance. – 19A north, left onto Hamm Road, immediate right onto McCaulay Road, about 2kms on … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Cumberland Forest Trails hike, April 12th
Sunday, April 12th. (Club walk). Cumberland Forest Trails hike. Meet at Harmston at 9:30am or at Jumbo’s Cabin on the Comox Lake Road beyond Cumberland at 10:00am. A 2-hour hike, some steep-ish slopes. Leader: Andrew Nicoll.
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Upcoming Walk: Fawn Lily Walk, April 4th
Saturday, April 4th. (Club walk). Fawn Lily Walk – Exhibition Grounds, Courtenay. Meet at 10:00am at the Exhibition Grounds parking lot beside the Comox Valley Curling Club on Headquarters Road across from Vanier High School.
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YNC Walk: Sunday, March 22nd,1pm – 3pm, Kye Bay Beach
Join the Young Naturalists down at sandy Kye Bay to explore the beach at low tide, and walk along the coastline towards Air Force Beach. We will be looking at the sand flats and tide pools, with creatures such as … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Woodlot Walk Strathcona Parkway, March 29th
SUNDAY, March 29th. (Club Walk). Woodlot walk Meet at Harmston at 9:30am. Leader: Fred Newhouse. (Strathcona Parkway, on the way up to Mt. Washington. West of the Island Highway, on Strathcona, there is a yellow gate on the first right. … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Goose Spit, March 21st
Saturday, March 21st. (Club walk). Goose Spit. Meet at 10:00 a.m. at the DND gate on the Spit. Leader:
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Upcoming Walk: Nymph Falls, March 14th
Saturday March 14th (Club Walk) Nymph Falls. Meet at Nymph Falls up Forbidden Plateau Road. Meet at the first parking lot at 10am.
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