Guest Speaker: Pearl McKenzie, ‘MARS is Spreading its Wings’, Sun. Nov. 20, 2016

Comox Valley Nature would like to introduce Pearl McKenzie who spent most of
her working life as a community law office worker and human rights advocate, focusing
on law reform activities before retirement. Pearl has lived in the Comox Valley since
1997 and has been a board member of Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society (MARS) for
more than 10 years, most recently Vice-President.
For more than 20 years, MARS has provided wildlife rehabilitation to the
northern half of Vancouver Island, sharing what they learn from doing this work through
their outreach educational activities. Their caseload has almost doubled in the past few
years and, because there is no room to expand at their current location, MARS has
purchased land and is building a new wildlife hospital.
The new property will also allow MARS to build a ‘first ever’ home for their
Education Program and to welcome visitors to their facility. Their new visitor complex
will consist of an interpretive building for displays and learning activities; an aviary for
their educational birds, a flight pen and wetlands.
The Interpretive Building will provide space for other environmental
organizations in the area to put up displays, make presentations, use the meeting room
and contribute items for sale in the gift shop.
This presentation will briefly summarize the history of MARS, offer examples of
our wildlife caseload and provide information about their new development. One or two
of their Ambassador (educational) Birds and their Handlers will join us for a brief
discussion about how the birds came to work for MARS. This lecture, entitled: “MARS Is
Spreading Its Wings” will take place at the Florence Filberg Seniors Centre at 7 pm
(sharp) November 20, 2016.
Comox Valley Nature is a non-profit society affiliated to BC Nature consisting
only of unpaid volunteers. CVN fulfills its educational mandate by hosting monthly
lectures, organizing free weekly-guided hikes for members, and a free monthly walk
open to the public. The society also undertakes a variety of environmental projects.
Aside from its main activity as a non-profit, CVN also supports specialized groups
(Birding, Botany, etc.) all of which have separate monthly activities. Membership in BC
Nature and Comox Valley Nature is $30 per adult and $40 for a family.
Founded in 1966, it is one of the oldest environmental societies on the North
Island. Meetings and lectures of CVN are held on the third Sunday of most months at the
Florence Filberg Centre, 411 Anderton Avenue, Courtenay. Meetings and guided walks
are open to the public, including children and youth. Lecture is free, though a $4
contribution from non-members is appreciated. New memberships are always welcomed.