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Drawing on the Salish Sea: A Zoom course in support of the Mitlenatch Island Stewardship Team (MIST)Have you wished that you could keep a nature journal or paint the life around you? During three Zoom sessions you can explore how to quickly capture wildflowers, inter-tidal life and birds You’ll learn how to draw quickly and accurately, starting with simple shapes, then using some refining techniques, which will help you draw with less frustration!You’ll look at materials: papers, pens, and coloured mediums like pencil crayons. Then you’ll jump into watercolours with a simple palette and mixes as well as quick watercolour techniques you can use in the field or at home. All the lessons will be accompanied with downloadable notes.You will finish the course ready to start your own Nature Journal.Zoom recordings will allow you watch the sessions at your convenience during the course and for a month after we wrap up. About Mitlenatch Island:Mitlenatch Island is a small rocky island that sits between Campbell River and Powell River, in the Salish Sea. Cast in the rain shadow of Vancouver Island, its flanks are clad in golden grasses and its meadows host an explosion of spring wildflowers. Anchored where tides rush in from the north and south, rich waters encircling the island teem with fish; intertidal life flourishes and thousands of seabirds nest on cliffs, in rocks, and on open ground. It’s shores provide refuge for mother seals with their pups, and haul out for sea lions in the winter. In recent years Humpbacks have returned to nearby waters, to feed on krill and schooling fish. With so much life, much of it on exposed nesting areas, the island has a special vulnerability. The Mist volunteer wardens are in place for the summer months to welcome people to the island (which is accessible by boat only) and to relate to visitors the natural and human history of the island. For 25 years Alison Watt has spent a week on the island in the summer, as a volunteer warden. Her journals are full of Mitlenatch sketches. She finds it a delight and a privilege to return each year to this jewel of the Salish Sea. MIST is a special organisation which works closely with BC Provincial Parks to ensure that Mitlenatch Island remains a haven for the plants and animals of the Salish Sea.Sign up and donate through www.alisonwatt.ca/drawing-on-the-salish-seaFor more information on Mitlenatch Island visit www.mitlenatch.ca/mitlenatch-island
Comox Valley Nature invites its members and the public to CVN’s October general meeting, where you can hear the following keynote presentation by our guest speaker: Birdbrains – Smarter than you think- with Sandra Milligan Once dismissed as “birdbrains,” birds are now recognized for their remarkable intelligence. Sandra explores the evolution of our understanding of avian neuroanatomy, focusing on local species. Through engaging stories and videos, Sandra explores how birds solve problems, use tools, express empathy, and communicate with rich vocabulary – inviting you to see these creatures with newfound respect and wonder.Sandra Milligan has been teaching university level biology at North Island College for over twenty years. With graduate degrees in neuroscience, she’s now a generalist, naturalist, and lifelong learner. In Campbell River, she’s a recognized environmental advocate and public educator. Her passion for birding has evolved into a deep interest in avian behaviour and intelligence. Drawing on her neuroanatomy background, Sandra has followed the growing research on bird cognition, confirming what many intuitively felt – birds display an extraordinary range of intelligent behaviours. Sunday, October 25, 2026 at 3 pm in the main hall of Comox United Church, 250 Beach Drive, Comox. Members of the public welcome.This will be an in-person only meeting. We will not record the presentation on this occasion [this is a correction to previous information].As always, there will be a break after the presentation with a chance to meet new people and socialize with old friends. Tea, coffee and treats will be available (by donation).A brief meeting follows. Reports from some of our interest groups and projects are an opportunity for guests to learn more about what we do.
It's that time of year! A couple of off leash dogs have been seen romping at the confluence of Morrison Creek and the Puntledge River. Dogs get quite excited to see those big chum. The chum do spawn right at the mouth of the creek, salmon eggs are very sensitive to disturbance so paws, or feet, in the creek kill eggs. Keep your dog on a leash, especially if you do not want a smelly dog! Dogs like to roll in dead fish. Salmon spook, be a quiet calm wildlife paparazzi.
Fish Walk!!! ( Well, not really...but don't miss this chance to follow their journey!)Join the Morrison Creek Streamkeepers for a walk along Morrison Creek, starting at its confluence with the Puntledge River in Puntledge Park, to watch salmon spawning after their remarkable journey back from the ocean. Register here: form.jotform.com/262924316992264
Thanks to community support, a property in Deep Bay is now protected, safeguarding its mature forests, salmon streams and diverse shoreline.Now, we’re helping restore this land so it can regenerate into a healthy forest.Join the Comox Valley land Trust and WolfTree for a hands-on day to rehabilitate the former homestead by planting trees and shrubsIf you'd like to volunteer your time, the work party is Sunday, October 25th, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.Meet at Rosewall creek Provincial Park parking lot at 9:50 to carpool to the deep bay restoration site.See this link or link in bio to register and for more information: www.jotform.com/form/262826298698277
Category Archives: Weekend Walks
Upcoming Walk: Saturday, March 31st 2018, Cumberland Marsh; Jumbo’s Cabin
Saturday March 31st, Cumberland Marsh; Jumbo’s Cabin Loys will be leading a Public walk through the Cumberland Marsh today. The Marsh drains into Perseverance (aka Coal) Creek, and is home to a number of interesting plant species as well as … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Saturday, March 24th 2018, Ripple Rock
Saturday March 24th, Ripple Rock, On April 5th, 1958, the largest non-nuclear man-made explosion to date occurred at Seymour Narrows, just north of Campbell River. The 1270 metric tons of Nitramex 2H explosives was loaded into tunnels coming from Maud … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Saturday, March 10th 2018, Macy Woodlot Walk Mt. Washington
Saturday March 10th, Macy Woodlot Walk Mt. Washington Fred Newhouse spoke at our AGM in February, and we are fortunate to have him leading a walk through the Harold Macy Woodlot today. Fred has spent most of his life in … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Saturday, March 3rd 2018, Union Bay (Coal Hills)
Saturday, March 3rd, Union Bay (Coal Hills) This easy walk starts at the Union Bay Boat ramp and explores the remains of Dunsmuir’s Coal terminal, located on both sides of Hart (Washer) Creek. In 1887 Robert Dunsmuir had a deep … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Sunday, Dec 10th 2017, Seal Bay Park at Fizell Road
Dec 10, Sunday: Seal Bay Park at Fizell Road Todays’ walk in Seal Bay Park starts at the little used Fizell Road entrance on the west side of the Seal bay Park. Access is via Grieve Road and Langlois Road. … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Saturday, Dec 2nd 2017, Kye Bay Duck Viewing
Dec 2, Saturday: Kye Bay Duck Viewing Loys will lead a walk along the beach at Kye Bay, below the Comox Airport. The high bluffs and cobble beach make for an interesting walk any time of the year, but we … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Sunday, Nov 26th 2017, Seal Bay Park
Nov 26, Sunday: Seal Bay Park, Bates road entrance Loys will be leading the Seal Bay Park walk. We will be meeting at the main parking lot on Bates Road. The featured items on the walk will be trees and … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Saturday, Nov 18th 2017, Bear Creek Park
Nov 18, Saturday, Bear Creek Park at Black Creek Bear Creek is one of our most popular walks, and there may still be a few spawning salmon in the creeks at this time. Meet at Courtenay Country Market to car … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Sunday, Nov 12th 2017, Goose Spit Bird Viewing
Nov 12, Sunday: Goose Spit Bird Viewing, DND Gate, This walk will not have a leader. Fall often brings a large variety of water and shore birds to our coastline, and a walk along the shores of Goose Spit is … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Sunday, Nov 5th 2017, Nymph Fall Park
Nov 5, Sunday: Dulce Hamilton Mushroom Public Walk, Nymph Falls Park This walk is in memory of Dulce Hamilton, and long-term member of CVN who died last year, and this was one of her favorite walks. Alison and Loys will … Continue reading
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