General Meeting March 15 2020 has been moved

Posted on March 15, 2020 by Botany

The General Meeting from March 15 , 2020 has been moved to hopefully March 22, 2020 as a Webinar Meeting.

further information via weekly email.

Posted in Guest Speakers, News | Comments Off on General Meeting March 15 2020 has been moved

March 1, 2020 Sunday Bird Walk – Cumberland Marsh

Posted on February 23, 2020 by Kelly Kline

New birders are welcome to join experienced birders for this early Spring bird watching outing to Cumberland Marsh. This walk will be about 1.5 km in length on level pathways. We will be bird watching for about 2 hours.

Meet at 9am in the Canadian Tire parking lot, near the Boston Pizza end close to Cliffe Avenue. We will car pool and depart at 9:10.  Leader will be Kelly Kline.

Posted in Birds, Field Trips, Weekend Walks | Comments Off on March 1, 2020 Sunday Bird Walk – Cumberland Marsh

NatureKids: Upcoming Explorer Days, March & April 2020

Posted on February 12, 2020 by web_admin

March 8: Seaside Treasures – We will go on a beach walk at Goose Spit Park to find and identify different beach items. Note: the time will be earlier than usual (11am to 1pm) to match with low tide times. More details will be sent out closer to the date.

April 19: (tentative date) Location and details to be announced.

Posted in Field Trips, NatureKids | Comments Off on NatureKids: Upcoming Explorer Days, March & April 2020

NatureKids Explorer Day Report – Fun in the Forest – Feb. 9, 2020

Posted on February 12, 2020 by web_admin

Hello NatureKids families! 

What a refreshing afternoon in the Seal Bay Park forest. We learned how forests can be magical by providing us with many different things such as homes, food, jobs, products, clean water, and oxygen. Not only do forests fight climate change (which makes them pretty cool) but they help us to refresh and reset, allowing for us to feel re-energized for the day or week ahead! Some of our fun forest activities included a colour palette hunt to see how forests can be a source of inspiration for colours, and hiding amongst the flora in a game of Camouflage to see how animals can use the forest for protection.

Here are a few photos from our Explorer Day, and you can see more on our Comox Valley NatureKids Facebook page.

  • Nature kids
  • Colour palette hunt
  • Trail walk
  • Camouflage game
Posted in Field Trips, NatureKids | Comments Off on NatureKids Explorer Day Report – Fun in the Forest – Feb. 9, 2020

The public is invited to learn about CVN activities at the AGM on February 16

Posted on February 10, 2020 by web_admin

Comox Valley Nature has a number of active groups focussed on nature and the environment. These include: Birders, Botany, Courtenay Airpark, Weekend Walkers, Conservation, Garry Oaks, Environmental Heritage & Culture, Photography, Shoreline, Swan Count, Tree of the Year, and Wetland Restoration.

The CVN Annual General Meeting on Sunday, February 16, 2020 will feature brief presentations by the Shoreline Group and the Birders Group. In addition, Gabriel Bau Baiges (former CVN Secretary) will present an update of the Comox Strathcona Waste Management Service Capital Projects. The presentations will start after introductions at 7:00pm in the Rotary Room of the Filberg Seniors Centre, 411 Anderton Ave, Courtenay.

Leather sea star [inaturalist.org]

The Shoreline Group, led by paleobotanist Randal Mindell, have monthly field trips to explore the intertidal zone during the day as well as at night. The field trips highlight the geology, seaweeds, invertebrates, and the occasional intertidal fish found in the local area. The presentation will summarise the observations from some of these field trips during 2019.

Black oystercatcher [inaturalist.org]

The Birders have a bimonthly meeting as well as informal outings for CVN members. This is a great way to learn bird identification, meet people, and explore new locales within the Comox Valley. There are three Bird Counts conducted by CVN: annual Spring count, annual Christmas count, and weekly Trumpeter Swan counts in winter. Kelly Kline (Birder Group leader) will present a summary of the 2019 Christmas bird count.

Gabriel is a Professional Engineer with 20 years of experience managing solid and liquid waste projects. Gabriel is currently working for the Comox Valley Regional District to open a new compost facility and improve the condition of our landfills. Gabriel will provide an overview of the projects he is leading within the Comox Strathcona Waste Management service. This overview includes projects on protecting our environment through the management of our garbage, the closure of landfills and opening of new recycling programs.

This is an excellent opportunity for the public to learn more about the activities of Comox Valley Nature.

Posted in Guest Speakers, News | Comments Off on The public is invited to learn about CVN activities at the AGM on February 16

Weekend Walk Schedule for Spring 2020

Posted on February 9, 2020 by web_admin

The advance schedule of weekend walks for members for the period from February 16 to May 16 is now available. Download it here.

Of these trips, the ones on the following dates will be open to the public:

  • March 22
  • April 18
  • May 2

The information in the advance schedule reflects planning as of the posting date and is subject to change. Always check for the latest information and additional details in the President’s weekly email announcements, in blog posts on this website, or on Facebook.

Posted in Field Trips, Weekend Walks | Comments Off on Weekend Walk Schedule for Spring 2020

Jillian Stelfox, CVN Bursary Recipient, 2019

Posted on February 4, 2020 by web_admin
Jillian Stelfox receiving CVN Bursary in 2019 from President Jim Boulter

The 2019 recipient of our $1000 bursary award was Jillian Stelfox, who graduated from Mark R. Isfeld Secondary School and enrolled in the Bachelor of Science (Ecology) program at the University of Calgary in 2019. She intends to pursue a career as an ecologist or wildlife biologist, with a goal of promoting conservation. She has participated in G.P. Vanier School’s Explore program, and the Young Women in Ocean Literacy and Leadership camp, which encouraged her interest in the environment. Her record as a volunteer is impressive and includes involvement in the following environmental initiatives:

  • 5 years as a member of the Isfeld Environment Club, including 2 years as Club vice-president
  • Salmon count with the Tsolum River Restoration Society
  • Removal of invasive species with Broombusters and Project Watershed, and planting native species with Project Watershed
  • Lead organizer of Isfeld’s 2019 Eco-Fair
  • Participant in numerous beach cleanups; a lead organizer in 2018 and 2019
  • Fund-raised for MARS Wildlife Rescue Centre

In addition Jillian has been an outstanding student, achieving Honour Roll status for the past 3 years, while also participating in school and extracurricular sports. Her references speak very highly of her commitment and passion for the natural world.

Congratulations Jillian, and we wish you much success in your studies and future endeavours!

Posted in Bursary | Comments Off on Jillian Stelfox, CVN Bursary Recipient, 2019

January 30 Bird Walk to Little River Nature Park

Posted on January 28, 2020 by Kelly Kline
Let’s go to Little River Nature Park. Meet at 9am at Quality Foods on Guthrie Road, Comox.  Park in the back lot, south of the store. We will car pool and depart at 9:10. Should be back before noon.
Good Birding.
Kelly
Posted in Birds, Field Trips | Comments Off on January 30 Bird Walk to Little River Nature Park

JANUARY 23, 2020- MILLARD CREEK NATURE PARK

Posted on January 18, 2020 by Kelly Kline

This bird walk will be led by Nancy St. Hilaire.

Take Fraser Road (just past Millard) from the old highway. Turn left on to Comox Logging Road. Meet at the corner of Comox Logging Road and Buckstone Road at 9am. There is a new parking area and trail, with extra parking along Comox Valley Logging Rd.

We will take the new trail to the tracks and walk along the tracks to Millard Creek Nature Park and back. I have been seeing a good number of species in this area.

Posted in Birds, Field Trips | Comments Off on JANUARY 23, 2020- MILLARD CREEK NATURE PARK

Guest Speaker : Denman Island Marine Stewards, Protecting Marine Ecosystem, 19. January 2020

Posted on January 12, 2020 by Botany

CVN invites the public to learn about protecting a Marine EcosystemAerial photo of the annual herring spawn at the North End of Denman Island. Photo by Hal Schulz

 

 

Aerial photo of the annual herring spawn at the North End of Denman Island.
Photo by Hal Schulz.

 

 

Comox Valley Nature is pleased to host a public lecture by Dorrie Woodward and Barbara Mills from the Association for Denman Island Marine Stewards (ADIMS).  They will present ADIMS many efforts to advocate for, and protect the vital marine ecosystem surrounding Denman Island. The lecture is on Sunday January 19, 2020 and will start after introductions at 7:00pm in the Rotary Room of the Filberg Seniors Centre 411 Anderton Ave, Courtenay.

Since 50% of all oxygen that we breathe comes from the Ocean, protecting the marine environment is an important aspect of addressing the climate crisis. Baynes Sound and Lambert Channel comprise an ecosystem that is essential to the survival of the Pacific Food Web.  Working to decrease the impacts of human activities and support its ecological resiliency is a complex task.  Through photos and video, Dorrie and Barb will provide unique insight into the importance of these waters, and the factors that threaten them.  They will also share the many initiatives that the Denman Island Marine Stewards (ADIMS) have embarked upon to advocate for this irreplaceable marine ecosystem.

Barb and Dorrie are on the board of directors for ADIMS and full-time residents of Denman Island.  They have worked with islanders, scientists, politicians, First Nations, and government in order to shed a light on the importance and fragility of this marine ecosystem. Through petitions, articles, Power Points, and advocacy of  to government panels, they have slowly influenced awareness and change.

This is an excellent opportunity for the public to learn more about efforts to protect a valuable marine ecosystem.

Posted in Guest Speakers | Comments Off on Guest Speaker : Denman Island Marine Stewards, Protecting Marine Ecosystem, 19. January 2020