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SWI will hold its Annual General Meeting on April 23th in the Evergreen Lounge of the Filberg Centre starting at 7:00 pm, in conjunction with a presentation by Rob Szasz on exploring a remote mountain area of Sichuan Province in southwestern China.Our guest speaker, Rod Szasz, is a Nanaimo-based inventor and entrepreneur with a love for adventure and climbing. He grew up in Ladysmith and was educated at Malaspina University-College (now Vancouver Island University) and the London School of Economics. After travelling the world, he then spent most of his adult life working in Japan, during which time he climbed extensively in Asia. He returned to Vancouver Island about 13 years ago, where he continues to climb remote peaks but periodically travels overseas to climb and explore out-of-the-way places.
The presentation is open to all and FREE to attend. The presentation will begin at 7pm and the SWI AGM will take place afterwards.
We invite former and potential volunteers to attend the AGM and learn more about SWI’s work, accomplishments and plans for the upcoming year. We openly welcome volunteers to staff our visitor centres and participate in our educational programs, thus ensuring the continuation of what we have achieved in the past. Please put your names forward! Anyone who loves Strathcona Park and would like to contribute a little of their time to the organization of SWI’s many activities should consider becoming a director. Nominations can be made from the “floor”.
A fantastic learning opportunity:The Native Bee Society of BC will be hosting a Mini Bee School on May 10th in Nanaimo, BC. Participants will learn identification strategies for common native bees, and their nesting, overwintering, and flower preferences. We will look at specimens under the microscope, learning about basic anatomy, and different bee families.Participants will also have the option to join the Master Melittology students on a “Bee Quest” on May 11th! We will look at specimens in the field and how they interact with their habitat.
Plug these dates into your calendar and register on the Events page!
bcnativebees.org/outreach-events
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#NBSBC #mastermelittology #mastermelittologist #bcbeeatlas #explorebeautifulbc #bcnativebees #beautifulBC #bcbees #nativebeesocietyofbc #citizenscience #beautifulbcbees #bethebees #BCnativebeesociety #savethenativebees #explorewildBC #exploreBC #Wildnativebees #BCwildbees #BCbeeschool
The Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists invites CVN members and the general public to attend the following free online lecture:"All paths stop at the fence: Pronghorn antelope management in southern Alberta"
presented by Paul Jones of the Alberta Conservation Association.
Time: Thursday April 10th at 12:00 p.m. (noon) PT
Paul Jones tells us:
In life they say that there is always a fork in the road for which one needs to decide which direction to take. As a senior biologist with Alberta Conservation Association, but even before, my career has not been directed by the road taken (or not) but by the path to the fence. As with the pronghorn, I may not have found my way across the fence yet, but it has led me to being the 2024 recipient of the Berrendo Award at the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ 30th Biennial Pronghorn Workshop.
“Seating capacity” for the talk is limited. Please register in advance at register.gotowebinar.com/register/1551447636054324316
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions for joining the webinar.
Join knowledgeable Geologist Bob Hauser on this 6km walk to view a few of the glacial features of the Comox Area.Meeting at the bottom of the steps at Goose Spit and then travelling along the beach we will return to Goose Spit via Curtis Road. Lots of variety on this interesting walk!
This walk will be enjoyable for people with a good level of fitness and an interest in geology! Bring lunch or snacks and dress for the weather!
This is a free event but donations are welcome.
Reserve your spot at or add your name to the waitlist.
On Saturday April 12th from 10-12, join the Comox Valley Nature naturalists on a guided botany walk around Ruth Masters Greenway.Get to know the variety of plants and trees that have
found a home in the many environments of this park.
Sharpen your plant identification skills, get to recognize spring flowers before they bloom (and after too!) and learn about the history of the park. Easy walk over mostly level ground except for one short downhill part and 8 or 9 stone steps up.
Please dress for the weather keeping in mind that we’ll walk at a very leisurely pace. No dogs please.
Comox Valley Nature is entirely run by volunteers. There is no charge for non-members but donations are most gratefully accepted (money goes towards insurance, brochures, signage etc. in the areas we restore).
To sign up register at . Meet up details will be sent before the walk. Hope to see you there!
Category Archives: Insects and spiders
Learn about arachnids in Strathcona Park
NOTE: This presentation, originally planned for September 14, has been postponed while the speaker begins a new job which is in the field, off the grid. We will post a new date when the speaker becomes available. CVN members and … Continue reading
Posted in Guest Speakers, Insects and spiders
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Kitty Coleman botany highlights
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on March 18. Click a photo to enlarge it. We had a brilliant sunny day for our March 13 walk at Kitty Coleman Beach Provincial Park, and thanks to Robbie we … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, Insects and spiders, Plants and fungi
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Botany walk at Roy Morrison Nature Park
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on February 19. Click a photo to enlarge it. We had a good walk around Roy Morrison Nature Park on February 13, seeing many wonderful things. We focused mainly on winter … Continue reading
Posted in Field Trips, Insects and spiders, Plants and fungi
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Identifying insect pollinators: a visual guide
Many CVN members want their gardens to attract pollinators, and carefully select native plants for this purpose. But how much do we know about the pollinators themselves? As a joint project, the Environmental Youth Alliance and an organization named Border … Continue reading
Posted in Insects and spiders
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Learn about checkerspot butterfly recovery
Comox Valley Nature is pleased to host the following free online lecture: Title: An update on the checkerspot butterfly recovery projectSpeakers: Jennifer Heron and Chris JunckDate: Sunday, April 10, 2022Time: 7:00 p.m. PT This webinar is facilitated by the Canadian … Continue reading
Posted in Conservation and Restoration, Guest Speakers, Insects and spiders
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Hip to be a botanist!
From an email by Jocie to the Botany group on March 6. Before the spring growing season explodes, take a moment to check out some colourful rose hips! [Click a photo to enlarge it.] Our native Nootka rose (Rosa nutkana) … Continue reading
Posted in Insects and spiders, Plants and fungi
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Cooley spruce gall
From an email by Jocie to the Botany Group on January 30. Fanciful-looking Cooley spruce galls add a splash of colour to these grey, dreary days. Many have funky shades of purple, red and yellow. They vary depending on what … Continue reading
Posted in Ecology, Insects and spiders, Plants and fungi
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Recording available for orchid pollinators talk
The Strathcona Wilderness Institute hosted an online talk on March 24 by Dr. Jasmine Janes and Genevieve van der Voort whose topic was “Orchid pollinators of Strathcona Park“. If you missed this event or would like to see it again, … Continue reading
Posted in Guest Speakers, Insects and spiders, Plants and fungi
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Learn about orchid pollinators of Strathcona Park
The Strathcona Wilderness Institute, in conjunction with the Canadian Society of Environmental Biologists, is offering a free online lecture titled “Orchid pollinators of Strathcona Park” on Wednesday, March 24 at 7:00 pm PDT. The presenters are Dr. Jasmine Janes and … Continue reading
Posted in Insects and spiders, News, Plants and fungi
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