Trees of the Year – Finding the Mother Tree
2025-09-06 11:00 - 12:30 (America/Vancouver) | Seal Bay Park – Elmo/Mitchell Road Entrance, Elmo and Mitchell Road, Courtenay
This workshop is led by Fred Newhouse, forester and member of Comox Valley Nature. Explore the concept of the Mother Tree through a guided walk of discovery.
Participants will learn about the ecological role of the Western White Pine, with specific attention to the evolution of maturing second and third growth forests.
This is another in our series of workshops being held as part of the Trees of the Year 2025.
Location: Seal Bay Nature Park, Elmo and Mitchell Rd. entrance to the park. There is adequate parking on the side of Mitchell and Elmo roads near the park entrance. (Carpooling is recommended.)
Prior registration is required using the RSVP link below. Maximum number of participants is 15.
All participants must sign in on arrival at the starting location. The workshop is free for CVN members. A $5 fee is applied to non-members. (donations are gratefully accepted)
The walk will take place on a well maintained trail; however there will be some off trail exploration. Appropriate footwear is recommended. The total distance will likely not be more than 3k. Check the weather and choose appropriate outerwear. The workshop will be cancelled in the event of strong winds and heavy rain.
Additional information about the Trees of the Year 2025, and future workshops scheduled for 2025, will be posted on the CVN website.

Caring for Trees in a Time of Drought
2025-10-25 11:00 - 12:30 | BC
Cancelled
Saturday, October 25th from 11:00 to 12:30
This summer’s drought was hard on plants in our environment. The trees in your yard may have responded to this stress. Our next knowledge walk will help you to learn how to keep your trees healthy and thriving.
Join Verna Mumby as we look at the effects of drought and climate change on trees.
This knowledge walk will be held on a semi-rural property in east Courtenay. Taking these trees as a sample, we will look for signs of drought stress, and indications of healthy growth. We will examine factors such as hydrology, disease vectors and soil compaction.
We will discuss watering and other methods of mitigating stress.
Meeting location will be sent before the walk.
Bring binoculars to examine higher branches. Wear sturdy footwear and dress for the weather. We will be walking on uneven ground and over tree roots and rocks.
This walk will be cancelled if winds are high.

Courtenay Rotary Trail Pulling Together Ivy Clearing
2025-10-25 13:00 - 15:30 | BC
Date: Saturday, October 25 from 1:00 to 3:30
Join friends and neighbours in clearing English ivy along the Rotary Trail and in Dogwood Park.
Bring garden gloves hand pruners and a garden fork or digging shovel if you have them. Bring water to drink, dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes.
Max 12 people
Meet at the junction of Courtenay Rotary Trail and the end of 21st Street Courtenay.
To add your name to the wait list or a list for future Pulling Together work parties or to cancel your reservation, please email Karen at wetlands@cvnature.ca

Don't Fear Your Trees
2025-11-08 11:00 - 12:30 | Filberg Lodge and Park, 61 Filberg Road, Comox, Comox
Many people fear trees, especially big trees. Join us in this guided walk and overcome those fears. You will learn about tree bio-mechanics; how trees dance and move, and the importance of tree roots. Understand how trees help each other during storms and how they communicate. We will look at trees in Filberg Park in Comox on November 8th from 11 a.m. to 12:00.
This is another in our series of workshops being held as part of the Trees of the Year 2025.
Location: Filberg Park, 61 Filberg Road, Comox
Prior registration is required using the RSVP link below. Maximum number of participants is 15. All participants must sign in on arrival at the starting location. The workshop is free for CVN members. A $5 fee is applied to non-members. (donations are gratefully accepted)
The walk will take place on flat ground, on grass and well maintained paths. Check the weather and choose appropriate outerwear. The workshop will be cancelled in the event of strong winds and heavy rain.
Additional information about the Trees of the Year 2025, and future workshops scheduled for 2026, will be posted on the CVN website.

Finding the Mother Tree
2026-03-28 11:00 - 12:30 | 49.74218-124.97918
This knowledge walk is led by Fred Newhouse, forester and member of Comox Valley Nature. Explore the concept of the Mother Tree through a guided walk of discovery.
Participants will learn about the ecological role of the Western White Pine, with specific attention to the evolution of maturing second and third growth forests.
This is another in our series of knowledge walks being held as part of the Trees of the Year 2026, in concert with our 60th anniversary celebrations.

Location: Seal Bay Nature Park, Elmo and Mitchell Rd. entrance to the park. There is adequate parking on the side of Mitchell and Elmo roads near the park entrance. (Carpooling is recommended.)
Prior registration is required using the RSVP link below. Maximum number of participants is 15.
All participants must sign in on arrival at the starting location. The workshop is free for CVN members. A $5 fee is applied to non-members. (donations are gratefully accepted)
The walk will take place on a well maintained trail; however there will be some off trail exploration. Appropriate footwear is recommended. The total distance will likely not be more than 3k. Check the weather and choose appropriate outerwear. The workshop will be cancelled in the event of strong winds and heavy rain.
Additional information about the Trees of the Year 2026, and future knowledge walks scheduled for 2026, will be posted on the CVN website.
For more information, to add your name to a waitlist or to cancel your reservation email: events@cvnature.ca. Details re meeting place will be forwarded to registrants.

BIRDING WITH EXPERTS!
2026-04-05 08:00 - 10:00 | Royston Wrecks, Hilton Road, Royston
To celebrate our 60th anniversary we offer this opportunity to get together with knowledgeable birding people to share skills and learn more about birding in the Comox Valley.
A wide range of birding skills are welcome but this outing is designed for beginners. Experienced birders will help with identifying species, equipment, useful apps, and field guides.
Both CVN members and the public are welcome on this walk near Royston Wrecks which will be on a wide smooth pathway for about 2km round trip. Bring binoculars if you have them. Dress for the weather. Warm clothing necessary – it’s always windy there! Please leave pets at home.
REGISTRATION required using RSVP link below. This event is free. Donations welcome.
For more information, to add your name to a waitlist or to cancel your reservation, email: events@cvnature.ca. Details re meeting place will be sent to registrants.

Don't Fear Your Trees
2026-04-11 11:00 - 12:30 | Filberg Lodge and Park, 61 Filberg Road, Comox, Comox
To celebrate our 60th anniversary we offer this opportunity to learn more about the trees in your environment.

Many people fear trees, especially big trees, and old trees. Join us on this guided walk and overcome those fears. Verna Mumby (ISA certified arborist), will take us through the basics of tree bio-mechanics; how trees dance and move, how they withstand wind loads, and the importance of tree roots. Understand how trees help each other during storms and how they communicate. This walk will take place in Filberg Park, Comox, on April 11th, from 11 a.m. to 12:30.
This walk is on flat ground, on grass and well maintained paths. Check the weather and
choose appropriate outerwear. The workshop will be cancelled in the event of strong
winds and heavy rain.
REGISTRATION required using RSVP link below. This event is free. Donations welcome.
For more information, to add your name to a waitlist or to cancel your reservation, email: events@cvnature.ca. Details re meeting place will be sent to registrants.

Vanier Nature Park - in spring
2026-04-12 13:00 - 14:30 | Vanier Nature Park Garry Oak Restoration, 3001 Vanier Drive, Courtenay, BC, Canada
To celebrate our 60th anniversary we offer this opportunity to learn more about Garry oaks in the Comox Valley.
Vanier Nature Park is home to a small grove of Garry oak trees which is being stewarded by Comox Valley Nature. These oaks are at the northern extent of their range, and are a remnant of a culturally modified ecosystem that once covered 160 square kilometres in the Comox Valley

This walk will be lead by Geologist Bob Hauser and Forester Terry Lewis. They have spent many hours in the park removing invasive holly. Terry and Bob will look at the work in progress in the grove and share their unique perspective on this forest, with a focus on soil science and tree species.
The Vanier Nature Park project is being co-managed by Comox Valley Nature and the City of Courtenay with funding from the City of Courtenay, BC Nature and the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation.

The walk is partially on level ground with some gentle to moderate uphill walking on a forest trail that has some uneven footing. No dogs please.
For more information, to add your name to a waitlist or to cancel your reservation, email: vanier@cvnature.ca Details of the meeting place will be sent to registrants. Please be at the meeting spot at least 10 minutes before the walk starts to sign in.

LITTLE RIVER NATURE WALK
2026-04-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Little River Nature Park, 1274-1316 Wilkinson Rd, Comox, BC, V9M 4B8, Canada
To celebrate our 60th anniversary year, we invite you to explore Little River Nature Park with CVN naturalists and learn the history of this land which is now a CVRD park. See and identify the plants and spring flowers that call this place home. This park is an unusual area that includes second growth Douglas-fir forests that lead to beach and estuarine plain. The plain area is a sensitive ecosystem that was once a gravel pit. It has been transformed to include ponds revegetated with native plants that are teeming with fish and other wildlife.

Conditions: mostly level walking with one very short steep section of trail with uneven footing. About 1.5km. Sorry no dogs!
REGISTRATION REQUIRED USING RSVP LINK BELOW
This walk is free, but donations are gratefully accepted. For more information, add your name to a waitlist or to cancel your reservation email: events@cvnature.ca. Details re meeting place will be forwarded to registrants.

BIRDING WITH EXPERTS!
2026-04-19 08:00 - 10:00 | Airpark Courtenay – Mansfield Drive Skypark, Courtenay, BC, V9N 3S3, Canada
To celebrate our 60th anniversary we offer this opportunity to get together with knowledgeable birding people to share skills and learn more about birding in the Comox Valley. This walk will be at the Courtenay Airpark.
A wide range of birding skills are welcome but this outing is designed for beginners. Experienced birders will help with identifying species, equipment choices, field guides and useful apps.

Both CVN members and the public are welcome on this walk which will be on a wide paved pathway for about 2km round trip. Bring binoculars if you have them. Dress for the weather with layers and sturdy footwear. Sorry, no dogs allowed.
REGISTRATION required using RSVP link below. This event is free. Donations welcome.
For more information, to add your name to a waitlist or to cancel your reservation email: events@cvnature.ca. Details re meeting place will be forwarded to registrants.

COURTENAY AIRPARK WALK
2026-04-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Courtenay Airpark – 21 street
To celebrate our 60th anniversary we invite you to come for a guided stroll on the Courtenay Riverway Heritage Walk with a member of Comox Valley Nature. Learn about the history of this area, including how the former sewage lagoon has become one of the most popular walking spots in the Comox Valley. Check out the restoration work to replace invasive plant species and add more native plants, shrubs and trees that is being done by Comox Valley Nature in partnership with the City of Courtenay. Hear why invasive plant species are so damaging to the ecosystems. Enjoy the view from the “lookout” over the estuary and be reminded how important the estuary is to the web of life.
REGISTRATION required using RSVP link below. An easy 1 km walk on a wheelchair accessible paved path. Sorry, no dogs. This event is free, but donations are welcome.
For more information, add your name to a waitlist or to cancel your reservation email: events@cvnature.ca.

Dune Stories
2026-04-25 11:00 - 12:30 | BC
To celebrate our 60th anniversary we offer this opportunity to learn more about a unique ecosystem in the Comox Valley.
Have you ever wondered about the presence of the dunes between Curtis Road and
Lazo Road? Or like me, didn’t even know that these dunes exist? When and how did they form? How can this sandy environment support such varied flora?
If only they could talk, what stories they might tell of their creation and development
over the millennia.

Please join us on our April 25th Knowledge Walk “ Dune Stories” from 11:00 am to 12:30
pm. Lead by Heather Blyth (Geologist, ret’d.) and Fred Newhouse (Forester), this walk
will focus on the geological history of this part of Comox, and the ecological
development of the dunes.
The walk will commence on a rocky beach and continue on well maintained trails that
criss-cross the dunes and the glacially created kettles. There are inclines that may be
challenging for some walkers. Appropriate footwear is recommended. The total distance
will likely not be more than 3k. April weather can be wet and cool, so please wear
appropriate outerwear. The workshop will be cancelled in the event of strong winds and
heavy rain.
REGISTRATION required using RSVP link below. This event is free, but donations are welcome. Specific information regarding location will be provided upon registration.
For more information, to add your name to a waitlist or to cancel your reservation, email: events@cvnature.ca.

BIRDING WITH EXPERTS
2026-04-26 08:00 - 10:00 | Trent River Estuary, Marine Drive, Royston, Canada
To celebrate our 60th anniversary we offer this opportunity to get together with knowledgeable birders. This walk will be at the Trent River Estuary.

A wide range of birding skills are welcome but this outing is designed for beginners. Experienced birders will help in identifying species, equipment choices, field guides and useful apps.
Both CVN members and the public are welcome on this walk.
Bring binoculars if you have them. Dress for the weather. Rubber boots recommended for small stream crossing and possible muddy trail. Wear warm clothing as there is always a wind on the beach! About 1km on level grass and beach. Sorry no dogs.
REGISTRATION required using RSVP link below. The event is free. Donations welcome.
For more information, to add your name to a waitlist or to cancel your reservation email events@cvnature.ca Details re meeting place will be forwarded to registrants.

Trees and Drought
2026-06-06 10:00 - 12:00 | Airpark Courtenay – Mansfield Drive Skypark, Courtenay, BC, V9N 3S3, Canada
Drought in the summer is hard on plants in our environment. The trees in your yard may have begun to respond to this stress. Our next knowledge walk will help you to learn how to keep your trees healthy and thriving.

Join Verna Mumby as we look at the effects of drought and climate change on trees.
This knowledge walk will be at the Airpark. Taking the trees there as a sample, we will look for signs of drought stress, and indications of healthy growth. We will examine factors such as hydrology, disease vectors and soil compaction.
We will discuss watering and other methods of mitigating stress.
Meeting location will be sent before the walk.
Bring binoculars to examine higher branches. Wear sturdy footwear and dress for the weather. We will be walking on the airpark paths.
REGISTRATION required using RSVP link below. An easy 1 km walk on a wheelchair accessible paved path. Sorry, no dogs. This event is free, but donations are welcome.
