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.

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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.

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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!

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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
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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.

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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.

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Sunday, February 2, 2020 Bird Walk

Posted on January 12, 2020 by Kelly Kline

New birders are welcome to this bird watchers outing on the beach at Point Holmes. Bruce Moffat will be the leader. To get suitable tide level we will meet at 1:00pm. Meet near the gazebo on Lazo Road.

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Restoration Project 2019 Courtenay River Airpark

Posted on December 13, 2019 by Wetland Restoration Project

This years 2019 Restoration Report for the Courtenay River Airpark has been posted on the Comox Valley Nature Website. It is under publications on the top bar of the page. Click on this and go to Wetland Restoration. I wish to thank all the volunteers who helped keep the project going for its 25th year.
A limited number of hard copies are also available.
Thanks once again.
Frank Hovenden

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Guest Speaker : Paula Wild, In Search of the Real Wolf, 17. November 2019

Posted on November 9, 2019 by Botany

Comox Valley Nature is pleased to host a public lecture featuring author Paula Wild.

Katmai National Park, July 5th – 8th, 2007. Photo copyright Paul Stinsa 2007

“In Search of the Real Wolf” features striking images of wolves, as well as some little-known facts. The lecture is on Sunday Nov. 17, 2019 and will start after introductions at 7pm in the Rotary Room of the Filberg Seniors Centre 411 Anderton Ave, Courtenay.

Wolves once roamed most of North America and Eurasia but vigorous eradication programs drastically reduced their numbers and in some cases destroyed entire populations. Now wolves are returning to their former habitat and encounters with humans are becoming more frequent. In her talk Wild examines the complex web of myth and misconception that surrounds this predator.

Paula Wild is intrigued by the relationships between people, places and the natural world. She is an award-winning author of seven books including her newest release, Return of the Wolf: Conflict & Coexistence (Douglas & McIntyre 2018), which received a Silver Medal in Ecology/Environment in the Independent Publisher Book Awards. Her previous book, The Cougar: Beautiful, Wild and Dangerous (Douglas & McIntyre 2013), was a BC Bestseller in Canada, as well as the Gold winner for Foreword Review’s Nature Book of the Year in the USA. Both books will be available for purchase.

Wild is also the author of The Comox Valley; One River, Two Cultures: A History of the Bella Coola Valley and Sointula Island Utopia. All appeared on the Vancouver Sun BC Bestseller list soon after publication. Sointula received an award from the BC Historical Federation, which cited the book as “a significant contribution to BC history.”
Paula Wild’s webpage: https://www.paulawild.ca/
This is an excellent opportunity for the public to learn more about wolves.

Comox Valley Nature is a non-profit society affiliated with 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.  Comox Valley Nature also supports specialized groups (Birding, Botany, Marine & Shoreline, Conservation, Garry Oak Restoration, Wetland Restoration, Photography and Young Naturalists Club) which have separate monthly activities.  Membership in BC Nature and Comox Valley Nature is $30 per adult or for a family.

Founded in 1966, it is one of the oldest environmental societies on the North Island.  Meetings and lectures of the Comox Valley Naturalists Society are held on the third Sunday of most months at the Florence Filberg Centre, 411 Anderton Ave., 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.

Anyone interested in this lecture or participating in CVNS activities can also contact us at the website http://comoxvalleynaturalist.bc.ca/

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Public invitation to Urban Forest Conference 26. October 2019

Posted on October 18, 2019 by Botany

CVN Press Release

Comox Valley Nature Holds 1 Day Island Conference on Courtenay’s Urban Forest Plan and Its Implications for Climate Change and Biodiversity

Comox Valley Nature is opening its annual Fall Vancouver Island Regional BC Nature conference to the public to initiate a public conversation on the implementation of Courtenay’s Urban Forest Plan within the upcoming Official Community Plan Review.  After much hard work and public consultation Courtenay Council has approved a remarkable and far-seeing urban forest plan that deserves to be supported for successful implementation by all concerned.  The goal of the conference is to initiate an open forum where the many benefits of bringing nature into our cities may be discussed, and the means to implement or further its goals can be considered.

     

Nature is increasingly recognized for its numerous physical and mental health effects. Conventional planning is however also become notorious for its adverse social and mental effects. Which are known as “the Glasgow effect”. Decades of misguided hard-urban engineering have taken a toll on our local ecology.  CVN is bringing together some of the best local expertise to discuss local problems and solutions that may guide considerations in the next iteration of the OCP.  Participants include: Nancy Gothard  (Courtenay Town Planner) who will present the “Courtenay Urban Forest Plan”;  Loys Maingon (Registered Biologist and environmental historian) “Re-thinking the Urban Forest Plan in an Age of Climate Emergency”;  Will Marsh (Geomorphologist), “Adaptive Design”;  Thomas Dishlevoy (Registered Architect), “The Comox Valley Living City Challenge”;  Alison Mewett (BC Landscape Architect) “Urban Trees”; and Royann Petrell (Ecological engineer) “Urban Avian Ecology”.

The conference will be held October 26th, 9am to 6pm and includes lunch. Registration for the Conference is limited to 90 which is the capacity of The Green Room at The Filberg Centre. Pre-Registration is $30 and will be cut-off October 23 to allow for in-person registration at the door, if space remains.  Registration payment is by PayPal (Donation “other”) at: https://comoxvalleynaturalist.bc.ca/contact-us, or cash or cheque at the door.  Email inquiries can be directed at: .

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.  Comox Valley Nature also supports specialized groups ( Birding, Botany, Garry Oak Restoration, Wetland Restoration, Photography and Young Naturalists Club) which have separate monthly activities.  Membership in BC Nature and Comox Valley Nature is $30.

Founded in 1966, it is one of the oldest environmental societies on the North Island.  Meetings and lectures of the Comox Valley Naturalists Society are held on the third Sunday of most months at the Florence Filberg Centre, 411 Anderton, 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.

Anyone interested in this lecture or participating in CVNS activities can also contact us at the website http://comoxvalleynaturalist.bc.ca/   or Loys Maingon

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