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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 June 10th 2017, Lower Morrison Creek- Puntledge River
Saturday. June 10 Lower Morrison Creek- Puntledge River Steph Nathan will lead you on a walk through the lower reaches of Morrison Creek today. No car- pooling is required as you can park on Lake Trail Road, near the Lake … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Saturday June 3rd 2017, Cumberland Woods
Saturday June 3rd; Cumberland Woods Loys will lead a walk into the Cumberland Forest around Coal Creek Historic Park. This is the site of two of the Dunsmuir Coal Mines. It is an easy walk, with wide trails passing wetlands … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Sunday May 28th 2017, 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 Hydro has developed for hikers, bikers and picnic users. The … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Saturday May 20th 2017, Hollyhock Flats
Hollyhock Flats is as close to natural as you are likely to find in the K’omoks estuary. Known as Kus Kus Sum by the K’omoks First Nation, this area is south-east of the Field sawmill site, and south of Comox … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Saturday May 13th 2017, Union Bay Coal Hills Walk
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 water coal terminal 600 feet long built … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Saturday, May 6th 2017 , Morrison Creek Headwaters
Jan Gemmell and Jim Palmer will be leading today’s walk through the Morrison Creek Headwaters, off Lake Trail Road. You will have the opportunity to see the wetlands created by the geology at the east end of Comox Lake, and … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Sunday 30th April 2017, Airport Camas & Garry Oaks,
Sunday 30th April, Airport Camas & Garry Oaks, Knight and Kye bay Road, The Garry Oak (Quercus garryana var. garryana), the only native oak species in BC, depends upon fire for its survival. These trees are early-succession species, and … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Saturday 15th April 2017, Cumberland Marsh
Saturday 15th April, Cumberland Marsh Public Walk, meet at Harmston 9:00 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 … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Sunday, 9th April 2017, Ripple Rock
Sunday, 9th April, Ripple Rock , meet at Courtenay Country Market at 9 am 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 … Continue reading
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Upcoming Walk: Saturday, April 1st. 2017, Macy Woodlot Walk
Saturday 1st April, Macy Woodlot Walk Mt. Washington Fred Newhouse will be leading the walk today. Fred has spent most of his life in the woods in various roles with the forest service, consulting and managing a crown woodlot. The … Continue reading
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