Upcoming Walk: Saturday, March 3rd 2018, Union Bay (Coal Hills)

Posted on February 27, 2018 by Botany

Saturday, March 3rd, Union Bay (Coal Hills)

This easy walk starts at the Union Bay Boat ramp and explores the remains of Dunsmuir’s Coal terminal, located on both sides of Hart (Washer) Creek. In 1887 Robert Dunsmuir had a deep water coal terminal 600 feet long built to load wind and steam freighters which carried the high quality coal from Cumberland around the world. Little of the infrastructure, which included coke ovens, a coal washer, and workers barracks remain. What does remain are mounds of low quality coal and coal dust, removed before shipping to ensure that only the best coal went aboard. Coal dust is explosive and water from Hart Creek was used to remove much of it here.  Use of the site only stopped in 1960, and various uses of the area have been suggested over the years since then. This site is a fascinating, if toxic site, and a reminder of how poorly we treated the environment not that long ago.  More information is available at these three web sites:

http://comoxvalleynaturalist.bc.ca/nature-viewing-guide/8-baynes-sound-area/union-bay/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Bay,_British_Columbia

http://www.comoxvalleyrecord.com/news/union-bay-coal-hills-on-priority-contaminated-site-list-in-b-c/

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BC Nature eNews February 2018

Posted on February 21, 2018 by Botany
Upcoming Events
  • AGM 2018 – Your host, Nature Vancouver, cordially invite you to sign up for another great conference. Registration now open. For registration and schedules, please visit this link.
  • February 28, 2017 – Resolutions for AGM due.March 15, 2018 – Rene Savenye Scholarship due.
  • Hope Mountain Centre – Skagit Valley Bird Blitz – May 4 – 6, 2018 email for further information
    Hope Mountain – Manning Park Bird Blitz – June 15 – 17, 2018 – email
Two Executive Positions open – Volunteers needed
Treasurer needed – Our executive needs a treasurer. If you are a retired (or working)Chartered Professional Accountant – we need you! This is a volunteer position and require a few hours a month, 6 meetings a year via conference call. For the full outline of duties, please email the office.

We are also looking for a second regional coordinator in the lower mainland (Executive)and a harassment officer (Committee head), and a BC Nature representative to Outdoor Recreational Council.
For the full outline of duties, please email the office.

Issue 62
Date February 2018
Spring 2018 Magazine Coming Soon
BCnature Spring Magazine available next week.
Please email if you wish to change from Canada Post Mail to the electronic version.
Columbia River Treaty renegotiations.
We are asking members of BC Nature to give their suggestions on the Columbia River Treaty renegotiations. The deadline is February 28th for these comments. Please submit them to email .
What do you think our priorities should be moving into these negotiations? The building of the dams on the Columbia River and the subsequent flooding to create the reservoirs had large impacts on our landscape, ecosystems, and flora and fauna.
If you want to read about dam impacts, here is a study that summarizes some of the impacts. The Executive Summary will give the gist of the study in only two pages.
We want to hear from you! Any comments are welcomed, even short ones.
Species at Risk (SARA) Consultations
The Government of Canada has launched consultations regarding the potential to amend Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA). These consultations seek the public’s input into the federal Minister of the Environment’s response to assessments of species at risk submitted by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC).

In British Columbia there are 7 terrestrial species for which COSEWIC’s assessments could lead to amendments to SARA Schedule 1 (the List of Wildlife Species at Risk):
•Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus) – a bird found broadly across Canada – Potential new addition to Schedule 1, listed as Special Concern
•Monarch (Danaus plexippus) – a butterfly found primarily in central and eastern Canada, with occasional occurrences in southern British Columbia -Potential change in status from Special Concern to Endangered
•Pink-footed Shearwater (Puffinus creatopus) – a bird found off British Columbia’s coast – Potential change in status from Threatened to Endangered
•Rusty Cord-moss (Entosthodon rubiginosus) – a moss found in British Columbia’s central and southern interior – Potential change in status from Endangered to Special Concern
•Sonora Skipper (Polites sonora) – a butterfly found in south-central British Columbia – Potential removal from Schedule 1 (currently listed as Special Concern)
•Transverse Lady Beetle (Coccinella transversoguttata) – an insect found broadly across Canada – Potential new addition to Schedule 1, Special Concern
•Western Painted Turtle, Pacific Coast pop. (Chrysemys picta bellii) – a turtle found on Vancouver Island, some Gulf Islands, the Sunshine Coast, Metro Vancouver, and the lower Fraser Valley – Potential change in status from Endangered to Threatened

An additional 5 terrestrial species at risk found in British Columbia had their current status under SARA confirmed by COSEWIC. These are not included in this consultation process, as no regulatory amendment is required. Please note that Fisheries and Oceans Canada is also conducting related consultations for aquatic species. The full list of Ministerial Response Statements outlining how the Minister of Environment intends to respond to COSEWIC’s assessments is available at Link

You are invited to submit comments on the potential impacts of amending SARA Schedule 1 according to COSEWIC’s assessments. Comments can be submitted via email to email. The comment period ends on May 22, 2018 for most species found in BC, and on October 22, 2018 for Monarch.

Further information regarding the listing and consultation processes for terrestrial species can be found in “Consultation on Amending the List of Species under the Species at Risk Act -Terrestrial Species: January 2018″ posted here ). This document also includes a questionnaire that provides guidance on the types of information and comments Environment and Climate Change Canada is seeking.
Thank you for taking the time to consider this information. You are welcome to contact our regional office in British Columbia with any questions at link

On the Conservation front
Vancouver Sun Article – Two B.C. steelhead runs at imminent risk of extinction Article

Nature Canada – Demand action for stronger environmental laws – to sign the petition

Nominate a BC river for the 2018 endangered rivers list online form Deadline is March 12, 2018.
Interesting Nature-related Sites and Links
Article – Day to Night Robson Bight – Canadian Geographic Link
CTV News – Sperm Whale sighting near Alert Bay link
Public Consultation on Migratory Game Bird Hunting
The Canadian Wildlife Service is currently holding public consultations on proposed changes to the migratory game bird hunting regulations in Canada for the next two hunting seasons (2018-2019 and 2019-2020). You will find attached a consultation document that outlines the proposed changes (“Proposals to amend the Canadian Migratory Birds Regulations – December 2017”). The consultation period begins on January 29, 2018 and ends on February 28, 2018. During this period, comments can be submitted at the following address: via email

There are two reports that have been posted at the following address: link Reports from previous years can also be found at this address.

For information on the consultation process to establish the migratory birds hunting regulations, please visit: link

Environment and Climate Change Canada Canadian Wildlife Service
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Emily Lohn, CVN Bursary Recipient, 2017

Posted on February 21, 2018 by Botany

Emily Lohn receiving CVN Bursary Award from Jim Boulter, CVN President, at Mark Isfeld Secondary School Awards Ceremony June 5 2017

The CVN Bursary Committee chose Emily Lohn as this year’s bursary winner for her volunteer commitments in environmental and natural history-related activities and high academic standing at Mark R. Isfeld Secondary School. She is now enrolled in a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology in the dual admission program at North Island College (Courtenay) and will transfer to the University of Victoria in the last two of the four-year program to complete her degree.

Bursary recipients are invited to give a brief presentation to CVN members on their studies and future educational plans. This gives them an opportunity to say thank you to the CVN community and its donors an occasion to meet the students they are so proud to support.

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Tree of the Year 2018

Posted on January 30, 2018 by Botany
A TOTY judge, Cathy Storey, visiting the winning entry.

The first Comox Valley Nature Tree of the Year award was nominated by Susan Holvenstot, who was presented with a small gift basket at the CVN general meeting in February of 2018.

Susan submitted one of her favourite trees, the “Anchor” Douglas fir on the banks of the Tsolum River, near 3326 Dove Creek Road. This tree is a fine example of the old growth forest that dominated the Valley prior to European settlement. It is estimated to be about 300 years old.

The top of the tree was lost sometime in the past, but it is still at least 28 metres high, with a trunk diameter of 245 cm.

The tree is on private land but is viewable from the road.

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Botany Outing Report: Palaeobotany, Jan 8th, 2018

Posted on January 16, 2018 by Botany

Happy New Year!

Presentation on January 8th 

On January  8th  we were treated to a fascinating presentation  by Randal Mindell on the palaeobotany of our back yard, the Comox Valley; we learnt about the importance of the fossil plant record and what it tells us about climate change. In the valley there are a number of excellent locations for fossil plant material, including the Cumberland Mines, the river banks of the Puntledge, Trent and others, the seashores in the Oyster River area, and of course Hornby Island.  We were shown the methodology for obtaining information from cross-sections of sandstone or mudstone concretions through acetate peels (see illustration attached). The acetate film will strip off fragments of wood, seeds, roots and leave of gymnosperms and angiosperms that can then be examined under the lenses of a high-powered microsope.

In fine paedagogic form, Randal summarized at the end what he had covered in the presentation – for your information here is that summary.

  • Late Cretaceous (85-70 million years ago):

Lowland swamp and estuary thousands of kilometers to the south, 10? warmer
Ginkgo, Cycadeoids and other exotic gymnosperms
Ancient flowering plants groups- some still present in the area (Cornus), others long gone (Liriodendron,Platanaceae)

  •  Eocene (~45 million years ago):

Beeches, Walnuts, Laurels and many elements now restricted to tropical and subtropical climates.

  •  LARGE GAP
  • Post-Glacial community migrates onto barren landscape from the south starting around 14000 years ago, with pine forests giving way to Tsuga (Hemlock), Thuja (Cedar) and Alnus (Alder). Coast Western Hemlock Biogeoclimatic Zone established.   “Old Growth” forest patches in the area represent remnants of natural landscapes that have developed over 13,700 years.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Monday February 20th  –  Mosses in Seal Bay Park with Randal in the lead.

This will be a week later than usual because of “BC Family Day”. Time and specific location will be announced closer to the time.

all the best,  Alison

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Botany Outing Report: Labrador climate warming, Dec 4th, 2017

Posted on January 15, 2018 by Botany

Greetings Botanists.

Report on the December 4th meeting.

We were treated to a fascinating presentation by Luise Hermanutz ( (Professor in the Biology Department, Memorial University, Newfoundland) on the research project monitoring the impact of climate warming in the tundra of  the Torngat Mountains in Labrador on the lives of humans, fauna and flora.  We were introduced to the ecology of the area, the joys of bugs and bears, and to a range of beautiful wildflowers, including the native dandelion, moss campion and of course Labrador tea. Luise has provided a link to the publication on flora that included the Inuit names of plants and information on traditional uses:

Our plants… Our land / Plants of Nain and Torngat Mountains Basecamp & Research Station (Nunatsiavut)

Announcement Reminder

Monday December 18th, 12.30 pm  – our Christmas Potluck lunch. Helen Robinson has kindly offered to host this gathering again this year. Please phone Helen to confirm that you will be coming, so that she knows how many to expect.  After lunch we usually share with the group whatever has been a highlight in the year for each of us botany-wise.

Upcoming Events

On the 2nd Monday in January, that is January 8th ,  Randal Mindell will give us a presentation on the palaeobotany of our own back yard –  “Ancient Plants of the Comox Valley: 85 Million Years of Plant Evolution and Vegetation Changes” . That will be a lot to compress into an hour! Randal has a background in Geology and Botany, with a doctorate from the U. of A., and has much experience both as a teacher and researcher, including at the UBC Botanical Gardens.

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BC Nature eNews December 2017

Posted on January 1, 2018 by Botany
 
Upcoming Events
  • AGM 2018 – Your host, Nature Vancouver, cordially invite you to sign up for another great conference. For registration and schedules, please visit this link.
  • Funds available for nest box or wildlife tree projects
    BC Nature has $3,600 earmarked for wildlife tree or nest box programs. Clubs that have projects involving these activities can apply for a share of this money. Send a brief (no more than 1 page) summary of your club project and the expected expenses to the BC Nature office: EMAIL Deadline for applications: 31 January 2018 The money will be divided up among eligible projects by the BC Nature Executive, in time for the spring breeding season in 2018.
  • Dates to Remember January 31, 2018 – Wildlife Tree Projects grant.
    February 28, 2017 – Resolutions for AGM due. BC Nature and BC Naturalist’s Foundation Club Support Grant applications due.March 15, 2018 – Rene Savenye Scholarship due. February 28, 2018
B.C. to end grizzly bear trophy hunting after this season
CBC News online – Trophy hunting ban will be effective Nov. 30, 2017, says B.C. government.
B.C. is ending the grizzly bear hunt throughout the entire province. First Nations still will be able to harvest grizzly bears in accordance with Aboriginal rights for food, social, or ceremonial purposes, or treaty rights. “Through consultations this past fall, we have listened to what British Columbians have to say on this issue and it is abundantly clear that the grizzly hunt is not in line with their values,” Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, said in a release.
Continue to this Link to read the complete article.
Issue 60
Date December 2017
Grizzly Bear and cub
BCnature Winter Magazine available now.
Your BCnature Winter magazine was mailed a few weeks back. For those that wish to receive it electronically or wish to download it from the Member’s Only area of BC Nature Website , please note: On the mailed copy of the magazine, you will find a label on the back page with your name, mailing address and a number in the top left corner of the label. The number in the top left hand corner is your access number and the name as it is spelled on your label (including spaces and punctuation) is your access name. Please email if you wish to change from Canada Post Mail to the electronic version.
BC Nature Annual Appeal
Last chance for charitable tax receipts for donations to BC Nature and BC Naturalist’s Foundation. For the 2018 tax year, we will have to receive your donation by December 31, 2017. Thank you to the members that have donated already.
We are at 70% of achieving our modest goal. We very much appreciate any size of donation you can send in. We are able to take donations direct through the office, Paypal or Canada Helps (receipts are issued for any donation over $20.00)
Amendments made to Water Sustainability Act regulations
Minor amendments are being made to two regulations under the Water Sustainability Act to support existing groundwater users and clarify requirements for authorizing water use. READ MORE Environment and Climate Change Strategy, Government Operations
Science Fair Team BC Off To Taiwan!
On January 24, two British Columbia students and an educator will board a plane for Taipei, Taiwan to represent British Columbia and Canada at the annual Taiwan International Science Fair (TISF) to be held January 28th to February 3rd, 2018. Aaliyah Mahboubi is a Grade 9 student at Charles Hays Secondary School in Prince Rupert and Yimeng Li is a Grade 10 student at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary in Vancouver. They will be accompanied by educator Pouyan Mahboubi from Prince Rupert, BC.

Aaliyah who attended the Canada-Wide Science Fair (CWSF) in 2016 and 2017 will be bringing her most recent project, “Microbial-film Power Generation 2.0 – It’s about to get cooler” testing electricity production from microbial decomposition. Aaliyah received a University Entrance Scholarship, the Energy Challenge Award, a Renewable Energy Award and a Gold Medal for this project at the 2017 CWSF.

Yimeng also attended the 2016 and 2017 CWSF and will be bringing her most recent project “Anaerobic Respiration: A Novel Bioelectrochemical Copper Recovery System?” which aims to develop an electrochemical copper recovery system that is not dependent on external energy sources. Yimeng received a University Entrance Scholarship, the Youth Can Innovate Award, the Environment Challenge Award, and a Gold Medal for this project at the 2017 CWSF.

Ms. Mahboubi and Ms. Li are Science Fair veterans – both have participated in their local Regional Science Fairs and at the national Canada-Wide Science Fair. The TISF will offer an exciting new experience by bringing together students and teachers from around the world for seven days of competition, collaboration and exciting cultural exchanges. Congratulations Ladies – exceptional job

Interesting Nature-related Sites and Links
Bird song of the Month – by John Neville – Link

Lake O’Hara Larches Link

A good read over the holidays – Island of the Blue Foxes – Disaster and Triumph of the World’s Greatest Scientific Expedition by Stephen R. Brown Link

In the Aerie of the Philippine Eagle Link

In the News – Articles from other sites
Tyee – By William E. Rees Link Humans Are Blind to Imminent Environmental Collapse

Osoyoos Today – By Richard Cannings – Home  Editorial  Opinion  Answers to some questions about a proposed national park Answers to some questions about a proposed national park Link

CPAWS – Landmark Supreme Court decision is a victory for First Nations and environmental groups. Link

Kelowna Capital News – Commitment to South Okanagan National Park renewed Link Here

Sierra Club – Now’s Our Chance to Get Environmental Reviews Right – Let’s make sure laws for approving pipelines, dams and mines are strong and fair Link

Times Columnist – By David R. Boyd – It is time to stop treating nature as a commodity Should B.C.’s killer whales have legal rights? Link

Join Us in Vancouver in 2018
Registration is now open for the International Ornithological Congress in Vancouver! This premier event will take place from August 19-26, 2018, and will coincide with the Vancouver International Bird Festival. Discover why bird lovers will be flocking to Vancouver at this Link
Bulkley Valley Naturalists Nature Diary
Bulkley Valley Naturalists Nature Diary now available Link Here on how to get your copy now. Please email Email
New IBA Caretakers – Moore and Byers Islands and Banks Bella Bella, BC
Both are active naturalists & Walter is President of the Kitimat Valley Naturalists . This remote IBA off the Central Coast encompasses two Ecological Reserves with significant seabird numbers & few visitors. There are still a few BC IBAs needing Caretakers , such as Cecil Lake IBA in northern BC,Cleland Island & Southeast Clayoquot Sound IBA on Vancouver Island, and Cumshewa Inlet north to Sheldens Bay IBA in Haida Gwaii. If you are interested in volunteering as Caretaker for these or other IBAs listed on the BC Nature website , or if you have any suggestions for potential Caretakers, please contact Krista, the IBA Caretaker Network Coordinator .
Posted in BC Nature, News | Comments Off on BC Nature eNews December 2017

Upcoming Walk: Sunday, Dec 10th 2017, Seal Bay Park at Fizell Road

Posted on December 7, 2017 by Botany

Dec 10, Sunday: Seal Bay Park at Fizell Road

Todays’ walk in Seal Bay Park starts at the little used Fizell Road entrance on the west side of the Seal bay Park. Access is via Grieve Road and Langlois Road. The walk is mostly flat, under the tall trees and along well maintained trails.

A link to our CVN website is here:  http://comoxvalleynaturalist.bc.ca/nature-viewing-guide/3-strait-of-georgiaoyster-bay-area/seal-bay/

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Airpark Report 2017

Posted on November 30, 2017 by Wetland Restoration Project

A short report highlighting the work done in the Courtenay River Airpark this year(2017) is now available under Publications.

Posted in Wetland Restoration | Comments Off on Airpark Report 2017

Upcoming Walk: Saturday, Dec 2nd 2017, Kye Bay Duck Viewing

Posted on November 29, 2017 by Botany

Dec 2, Saturday: Kye Bay Duck Viewing

Loys will lead a walk along the beach at Kye Bay, below the Comox Airport. The high bluffs and cobble beach make for an interesting walk any time of the year, but we expect to see many ducks floating just off shore at this. Wear sturdy boots with good traction for the slippery rocks, and dress for the weather and wind. Bring water as there are not facilities on the beach

Meet at the Kye Bay parking lot (Elks Park) at the corner of Kye Bay and Windslow Roads.

A link to our CVN website is here: http://comoxvalleynaturalist.bc.ca/nature-viewing-guide/2-comox-peninsula-area/kye-bay/

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