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 ValleyThis 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. Registration required through 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 wait list or to cancel your reservation, email: 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. ... See MoreSee Less
One of the largest intact, unprotected old growth forests we have on the east coast of Vancouver Island lies just east of Sayward. This is a rare temperate rainforest with massive and ancient trees.This area is part of the Prince of Wales range with the towering Mount H'Kusam, which is one of the most beautiful recreational areas on the entire island – popular for skiing, mountaineering, and hiking. It is also home to some of the world’s largest and oldest trees, including the recently felled yellow cedar “General Buxton”, which had a 2.79 metre diameterCape Mudge Forestry/We Wai Kai has proposed 13 cut blocks in this intact old growth forest. It is steep terrain, possibly calling for heli logging.Recent amendments to the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA) require Forest Stewardship Plan (FSP) holders to make a Forest Operations Map available for public review and comment as part of the cutting/road permit review and approval process. The Forest Operations Map (FOM) is intended to enhance transparency of operational planning and to provide engagement opportunities for interested members of the public, and community stakeholders. On the relevant map you will find three separate proposed areas (FOMs) on which to comment. Commenting is open for the public until April 16, 2026 to share their thoughts on the Forest Operations Map: fom.nrs.gov.bc.ca/public/projects.For more information on FOM guidelines visit the Government of BC Natural Resources Stewardship webpage at tinyurl.com/35cajkejIf this logging proceeds, it will be catastrophic to the remaining old growth on the island. Large patches of intact forest like this are nearly extinct here. ... See MoreSee Less
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 andchoose appropriate outerwear. The workshop will be cancelled in the event of strongwinds and heavy rain.REGISTRATION required on our events page; cvnature.ca/events/ This event is free. Donations welcome.For more information, to add your name to a waitlist or to cancel your reservation, email: . Details re meeting place will be sent to registrants. ... See MoreSee Less