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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
Upcoming Walk: Saturday, 7th July 2018, Paradise Meadows
SAT. July 7, 9:30 am : Nature Walk – Early Blooms in Paradise Meadows #2 Naturalists will lead an easy, 2-2 ½ hour walk around the Meadows loops identifying the subalpine plants and trees. Meet at the Strathcona Park Wilderness … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Sunday, July 1st 2018, Lake Helen MacKenzie
SUN. July 1, 11:00 am: Lake Helen Mackenzie/Battleship Lake loop Naturalists will lead this easy hike around the Battleship/ Helen Mackenzie Loop ( 4 hrs, 8.5 km round trip). Pack a lunch. Meet at the Strathcona Park Wilderness Centre, Paradise … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Saturday, June 30th 2018, Elk River Valley
SAT. June 30, 9:00am: Elk River Valley, Buttle Area – 9:00 am at the Trailhead on Highway 28, Gold River Highway. Naturalist Loys Maingon will lead a long day hike up the Elk River valley. The parking lot at the … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Saturday, June 23rd 2018, Paradise Meadows
SAT. June 23, 1:00 pm: Nature Walk – Early Blooms in Paradise Meadows #1 Naturalist Alison Maingon will lead an easy, 2-2 ½ hour walk around the Meadows loops identifying the subalpine plants now in bloom. Meet at the Strathcona … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Saturday, May 12th 2018, Comox Lake Ecological Reserve
Saturday, May 12th, Comox Lake Ecological Reserve Loys will be leading a tree and moss walk at the Comox Lake Bluffs ecological Reserve. This reserve features one of the most northern enclaves of Mediterranean ecosystems, with Arbutus, Manzanita and one … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Saturday, May 5th 2018, Allen Lake Cumberland
Saturday, May 5th, Allen Lake Cumberland Allen Lake is situated in the hills south of Cumberland, with the first part of the walk through the Cumberland Community Forest. We in the low lands get our water from Comox Lake, but … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Sunday, April 29th 2018, Tsolum Flats
Sunday, April 29th, Tsolum Flats. With the return of spring flowers, we will be visiting Tsolum Flats. This is one of the best sites to catch the early blooms of both species of Pink and White Fawn Lillies in … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Saturday April 21st 2018, Helliwell Park, Hornby Island
Saturday April 21st, Helliwell Park, Hornby Island, meet at the Ferry lot Today’s walk is on Hornby Island, two short BC ferry rides away. If you have never been to Hornby or Helliwell Park, now is your chance. The park … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Saturday April 14th 2018, Campbell River Estuary
Saturday April 14, Campbell River Estuary The Campbell River Estuary is known world-wide for its Tyee Pool, where monster salmon have been caught, but there is more than that. Like most of the estuaries near industrial sites, it suffered from … Continue reading
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Ucoming Walk: Saturday, April 7th 2018 South Side, Puntledge River from Comox Dam
Saturday, April 7th South Side, Puntledge River from Comox Dam Today’s walk explores the south side of the Puntledge River downstream for about 2 km. This side of the river is much less visited then the north side, which BC … Continue reading
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