-
Recent Posts
- SWI workshop: Subalpine mycology 2026
- Entomology and botany at Mt. Washington, July 2026
- Smartphone photography for iNaturalist
- (no title)
- 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
- BC Nature scholarships available
- Brandt Research Grant 2026 awarded
Blog Post Categories
- Amphibians and reptiles (4)
- Articles (7)
- BC Nature (57)
- BC Nature AGM 2016 News (15)
- Birds (149)
- Book Reviews (2)
- Bursary (11)
- Climate (17)
- Conference (4)
- Conservation and Restoration (70)
- Ecology (44)
- Education (5)
- Events (6)
- Evolution (4)
- Field Trips (269)
- Freshwater organisms (2)
- General Meetings (23)
- Guest Speakers (188)
- Insects and arachnids (10)
- Learning material (21)
- Mammals (5)
- Microorganisms (1)
- Miscellaneous (15)
- Molluscs (2)
- NatureKids (17)
- News (82)
- Other taxa (1)
- Photography (5)
- Plants and fungi (254)
- Public policy (1)
- Shoreline and Marine (50)
- Swan Counts (7)
- Tree(s) of the Year (27)
- Weekend Walks (164)
- Wetland Restoration (16)
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 15.4 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 ...
5 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, March 25th. 2017, Bear Creek Park
Saturday 25th March,Car Pool: Bear Creek Park Mandy and Charlie Vaughan will lead the walk at Bear Creek Park today. There will likely be a few fry streams, and of course the fry will be in the rearing pond. As … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, Weekend Walks
Comments Off on Upcoming Walk: Saturday, March 25th. 2017, Bear Creek Park
Upcoming Walk: Saturday, March 18th. 2017, Public Walk Comox Ecological Reserve
Saturday 18th March: Public Walk Comox Ecological Reserve Loys and Allison will be leading a tree and moss public walk at the Comox Lake Bluffs ecological Reserve. This reserve features one of the most northern enclaves of Mediterranean ecosystems, with … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, Weekend Walks
Comments Off on Upcoming Walk: Saturday, March 18th. 2017, Public Walk Comox Ecological Reserve
Upcoming Walk: Saturday, March 4th. 2017, Union Bay Coal Hills
Saturday 4th March, 9:30 am; Union Bay Coal Hills The annual herring spawn in Baynes Sound has not materialized yet, and so we will not be going on a “sea-cruise” this day. Instead, Loys will be leading us on a … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, Weekend Walks
Comments Off on Upcoming Walk: Saturday, March 4th. 2017, Union Bay Coal Hills
Upcoming Walk: Saturday, February 4th. 2017, Campbell River Museum Tour
Saturday, February 4th, Campbell River Museum Tour 12 pm (car pool at 11 am) The CVNS members will be taken on a guided tour to the Campbell River Museum by museum staff. We will meet at the Courtenay Country Market … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, Weekend Walks
Comments Off on Upcoming Walk: Saturday, February 4th. 2017, Campbell River Museum Tour
Upcoming Walk: Saturday, January 28th. 2017: Goose Spit Waterfowl Walk
Saturday, January 28th: Goose Spit Waterfowl Walk 9:00 am Art Martell will lead a waterfowl walk along the Goose Spit at 9 am. The group will meet at the parking nearest to HMCS Quadra gate, at the end of public … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, Weekend Walks
Comments Off on Upcoming Walk: Saturday, January 28th. 2017: Goose Spit Waterfowl Walk
Upcoming Walk: Sunday, January 22th. 2017 : Ruth Masters Greenway
Sunday, January 22th: Ruth Masters Greenway, 9:30 am Loys and Alison will lead a walk through the Ruth Masters Greenway and along the Puntledge River. Meet at Powerhouse Road Park entrance to Ruth Masters Greenway 9:30 am. Entrance is on … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, Weekend Walks
Comments Off on Upcoming Walk: Sunday, January 22th. 2017 : Ruth Masters Greenway
Upcoming Walk: Sunday, Dec 4th 2016, Kye Bay
Sunday, December 4th, Kye Bay Loys and Alison Maingon will lead a walk along the beach at Kye Bay, below the Comox Airport. The high bluffs and cobble beach make for an interesting area, even with a 5metre high tide … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, Weekend Walks
Comments Off on Upcoming Walk: Sunday, Dec 4th 2016, Kye Bay
Upcoming Walk: Saturday, Nov. 26th 2016, Goose Spit Public Walk, 9:00 am
Saturday, November 26th, Goose Spit Public Walk, 9:00 am Alison and Loys Maingon will lead a Public Walk along Goose Spit, from the DND gate north to the Willemar Bluffs. Like much of our coast line, this area has been … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, Weekend Walks
Comments Off on Upcoming Walk: Saturday, Nov. 26th 2016, Goose Spit Public Walk, 9:00 am
Upcoming Walk: Saturday, Nov. 19th 2016, Maple Lake Public Walk, 9:00 am
Saturday, November 19th, Maple Lake Public Walk, 9:00 am Loys and Alison Maingon will lead a walk part way around Maple Lake. Since 2013 the Maple Lake Fundraising Committee has been working towards buying this 20 hectare lake and its … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, Weekend Walks
Comments Off on Upcoming Walk: Saturday, Nov. 19th 2016, Maple Lake Public Walk, 9:00 am
Upcoming Walk: Saturday, Nov. 12th 2016, Headquarters Townsite Park Walk, 9:00 am
Saturday, November 12th, Headquarters Townsite Park Walk, 9:00 am Alison and Loys Maingon will lead an easy walk around Headquarters townsite Park on Remembrance Day weekend. This 8 hectare riparian forest site on the east bank of the Tsolum River … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, Weekend Walks
Comments Off on Upcoming Walk: Saturday, Nov. 12th 2016, Headquarters Townsite Park Walk, 9:00 am
