Fran Newson has offered to lead a walk tomorrow – short notice I know but the weather is good and the flowers will soon be over with up there. Please bring a lunch and sun protection. The walk around the meadows is easy- flat and a couple of hours as we look at plants. If you don’t wish to car pool you could also meet at the Wilderness hut – the gateway to Paradise Meadows around 10:45. (On the same road as Raven Lodge).
FFI phone Karin
Posted inField Trips, Plants and fungi|Comments Off on Upcoming Botany Walk: Paradise Meadows, June 22nd 2015
Ten botanists had a lovely gathering on Helen’s Beach for coffee and delicious cake, then walked around the pond and along the river at Little River Nature Park. Most of the plants such as the Lomatium nudicaule are in their seed stage now.
Helen showed us the Ludwigia palustris patch at the pond’s edge; the unusual little flower could best be seen with a hand-lens.
Helen also sent this message re a plant found by Gary :
“I have identified the aquatic plant that Gary pulled from the waters of the large pond, as Siberian water-milfoil (Myriophyllum sibiricum). It is a plant that Marta had indicated should be added to our plant list, so now we know at least one location. It is an exotic.”
Conservancy Hornby Island has developed a new website which includes detailed nature viewing information for the island. Their online Nature Guideis modelled on the CV Nature online Nature Guide, including seasonal highlights & tips for viewing. An excellent brochure is also available for download.
Posted inNews|Comments Off on Hornby Island Website
Twelve birders went to Oyster Bay and Saratoga Beach this morning in search of shorebirds. The weather was sunny with a breeze off the water. A highlight was a Sanderling in breeding plumage.
Twenty species were found along the shore:
Canada Goose
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Black-bellied Plover
Killdeer
Sanderling
Least Sandpiper
Western Sandpiper
Common Murre
Bonaparte’s Gull
California Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Purple Martin
Cedar Waxwing
Red Crossbill
Posted inBirds|Comments Off on Bird Outing Report: Oyster Bay, July 16,2015
Chilcotin Experience Camp: There are 2 spots left! For more information please contact
Harrison Salmon Stronghold Camp: November 26 – November 29, 2015 Registration for the last remaining 6 spots – if interested, please contact – BC Nature office by calling 604 985 3057
AGM 2016 – hosted by Comox Valley Naturalists Society – May 12-15, 2016 – Details available in the Fall and Winter Magazine
Mittlenatch Camp – May 2016 – Details in the Fall Magazine.
Possible Camp – Fraser Canyon rafting June 2016.
FGM 2016 – Prince George – September 2016. Details to follow.
Issue 44
Date June-July 2015
Summer 2015 BC Nature Magazine
How to access members only area
For those that don’t receive wish to receive their magazine via Canada Post, the Summer Magazine is available on line. An email notifying you when the latest issue is uploaded. Current magazines are behind members only access. If you require your access and password, please email
The Ron Mayo Project
The Federation of British Columbia Naturalists (BC Nature) is pleased to announce the Ron Mayo videography collection is now available online. In honour of Ron Mayo and the legacy he leaves behind, BC Nature is featuring the incredible collection of natural videos that he captured of the Bella Coola region during his lifetime. Ron Mayo led a long life filled with diverse experiences. This ranges from his experiences as an aerial photographer in World War II, his immigration to Canada from the UK, and to his magnificent work as a videographer in the Bella Coola Region. He was fiercely independent and his passion for the natural world transcends through his life’s work.
Loblaws is pledging to eliminate microbeads and two harmful chemicals known as phthalates and triclosan within three and a half years from its cosmetic and household products. Loblaw Co. Ltd. President Galen Weston said that the decision was made as “emerging science and public opinion suggest a measured move away from some specific ingredients is prudent.” Many environmentalists are hailing this as a monumental step for the retail industry in taking a proactive stance in conservation and ethical business practices.
Lake Superior Marine Conservation Area to be Created
After 8 years, the federal government unanimously passed Bill C-61 to designate Lake Superior as a Marine Conservation Area. The conservation area is more than 10,000 square kilometers of lake and includes lake beds, islands and North Shore lands. For more information please follow the link
Moose Riding is not Acceptable
In the last week, a video has surfaced on YouTube of several Boaters in Prince George who were harassing a moose. One of the boaters also jumped onto the moose’s back further stressing out the already agitated animal. The B.C. Wildlife Act forbids anyone from behaviour that could “worry, exhaust, fatigue, annoy, plague, pester, tease or torment” an animal. Actions similar to these can lead to the death of an animal or injury to the individuals committing the act. The fine for Wildlife harassment ranges from 345 to 100,000 dollars. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the RCMP.
Barn swallow, bobolinks conservation project sees success
By Building nest boxes and asking locals to help with identifying the two birds, an Island Nature Trust project to protect barn swallows and bobolinks on P.E.I. is seeing success, and now the trust is looking to aim higher. Click this link to read more.
Interesting Sites and Articles
Corals are already adapting to global warming Researchers at the University of Austin have found that some coral populations already have genetic variants necessary to tolerate warm ocean waters, and humans can help to spread these genes.
If you would like to know more about the study. Follow the link
The UK’s first Wild Beaver Birth in 400 years! A female from the first wild beaver colony in England for centuries has given birth to at least two young. Beavers were hunted to extinction in England and Wales for their valuable fur and glandular oil during the 12th Century and disappeared from the rest of the UK until 400 years later.
Check out the adorable video of the kits (Baby Beavers) here!
About Town
A Stroll through 30 Million Years of Stanley Park’s Geological History
Date&Time: Saturday, July 4 1:00 pm in Third Beach parking lot, Stanley Park.
An interpretive walk along the Sea-wall of Stanley Park to learn about the geology of the Vancouver area. See how 40 to 70 million year old rivers laid down sand, silt, clay and minor coal over a period that included the waning years of the age of dinosaurs. Other features to see will be giant boulders of 100 million year old granite stranded by the retreating ice 12000 years ago, remnants of 30 million year old volcanoes, concretions in the sandstone, wave-cut notches in the cliff-face formed when the sea-level was higher and how Siwash Rock was formed. Low tide at the time of our walk will reveal other features such as wave-cut platforms formed by wave action over the last 5000 years, and how First Nations peoples moved the boulders left by the glaciers to make fish traps and canoe runs. This will be a 3 hour walk beginning at 1:00 pm. Make sure you purchase enough parking time for the 3 hour walk.
Contact David at 604-924-0147 or for further details.
Killer whale pod spotted in Vancouver’s Burrard Inlet
This week, vancouverites were lucky to see a pod of Killer Whales in the Burrard inlet!
This coincides with the release of the Vancouver Aquarium new smart phone app called Whale Report.This app allows people to report marine mammal sightings which the aquarium will collect and use to determine which areas and times are important to cetaceans. This app is similar to other popular birding apps such as Merlin or eBird which help large research institutions in looking at habitat and population data.
Today, on the way up Mount Washington and then on a walk to Lake Helen Mackenzie, 10 birders found 29 species – but not the Three-toed Woodpecker. Highlights for some of the birders were hearing several higher elevation species – Sooty Grouse, Gray Jay, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush and Fox Sparrow.
Mallard
Barrow’s Goldeneye
Sooty Grouse
Virginia Rail
Spotted Sandpiper
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Hammond’s Flycatcher
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Gray Jay
Steller’s Jay
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Pacific Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Swainson’s Thrush
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Varied Thrush
Orange-crowned Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Fox Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Red Crossbill
Posted inBirds|Comments Off on Bird Outing Report: Lake Helen Mackenzie, June 25,2014
Eleven birders went out to the One Spot Trail on Brazier Rd. Thursday. The weather was overcast and mild with only a couple of drops of rain falling on us towards the end of our walk.
We did the new connector trail that goes towards Wildwood Forest, and then went south on the One Spot towards Pindar Rd. Highlights included hearing all four species of vireo that occur in our area, plus several sightings of young birds being fed. The woods were filled with the strange chirps and cheeps of young birds. A doe with a brand new fawn were seen near the parking lot.
33 species were found:
Turkey Vulture
Rufous Hummingbird
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Willow Flycatcher
Hammond’s Flycatcher
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Cassin’s Vireo
Hutton’s Vireo
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Brown Creeper
Pacific Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Swainson’s Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Yellow Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Townsend’s Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Western Tanager
Purple Finch
Red Crossbill
Posted inBirds|Comments Off on Bird Outing Report: One Spot Trail, June 18,2015
As many locations have a lot of the same plants it has been suggested that we just list the plants that are special to that location so here goes:
June 8th – Miracle Beach – Small flowered bulrush, diverse leaved water star wort, hemlock water parsley, slough sedge, enchanters nightshade, wood rush, sweet scented bedstraw, stink currant, spiny wood fern, large leafed sandwort, american brookline and at the beach – dune grass, giant vetch, cleavers and canada thistle.
June 15- 9km bog – bunch berry, birds-foot trefoil, bog blueberry, deer cabbage, douglas and king gentian, horsetail, ferns: deer and lady; hookers willow, buckbean, cotton grass, bog laurel, round leafed sundew and great sundew, bog cranberry, fleabane, yellow pond lily, tufted club rush, sticky false asphodel, subalpine daisy, pink mountain heather, Sitka burnet, white rhododendron, fern-leaved gold thread, few flowered sedge, many flowered sedge, false azalea, Labrador tea, indian hellebore, aquatic moss. We also saw the red legged frog, many bugs and beetles, and some bear poop! Very interesting walk.
Chilcotin Experience Camp There are 2 spots left! For more information please contact
Harrison Salmon Stronghold Camp November 26 – November 29, 2015 Registration opens 9:00 am June 15,2015 – BC Nature office 604 985 3057
Manning Park Bird Blitz – June 19-21/15 – See BCnature Summer magazine for details.
June 22 – 26, 2015 Biological Survey of Canada’s Peace Bioblitz – Information Link
Update from World Rivers Day Chair, Mark Angelo, in the lead up to World Rivers Day, slated for September 27th, 2015.
World Rivers Day is set for September 27th this year (as always, falling on the last Sunday in September) and, while the event is still a few months away, it will be here before we know it. Consequently, we’re hoping that river advocates from around the globe will start planning events as part of this year’s World Rivers Day celebration. Visit our Web site at this link to find out more about World Rivers Day — and please let us know about your event plans by email. We can help your promotions via our web site, and through e-mails like this one. Last year, river enthusiasts from around the world came together for the ninth annual event. It was a great success, with millions of people involved from more than 60 countries.
Issue 43
Date June 2015
Summer Magazine out Now
Summer Magazine Available on line
For those that don’t receive wish to receive their magazine via Canada Post, the Summer Magazine is available on line. An email notifying you when the latest issue is uploaded. Current magazines are behind members only access. If you require your access and password, please email the Office
Conservation Items in the News
What B.C. Can Learn from California’s Drought Read Link Here
Trouble Could Be Brewing for B.C.’s Endangered Killer Whales – Read about it here
Trail Funding
If your organization is planning to or has already applied for, infrastructure funding for your trails through the Canada 150 Program which was announced in mid-May and for which applications have to be submitted by June 17, could you please inform this office. Recreation Sites and Trails BC would like to know the extent of the demand for this funding.
SFU BLUE: Community-Engaged Water Research Dialogue June 24, 2015. For more information – please visit Link Native Plant Society Workshop – On Saturday, June 13 from 10 am to 12 noon, the NPSBC is partnering with Metro Vancouver Regional Parks to offer a basic fern workshop at Capilano River Regional Park in North Vancouver. There will be an introduction to ferns and fern anatomy, an overview of ferns of southwestern BC and then a walk to see ferns in the park and learn how to identify at least seven species (possibly more depending on what we find). NPSBC director Dawn Hanna will be leading the workshop in conjunction with a Metro Vancouver park interpreter. For the general public, the workshop costs $8. But NPSBC members get a discounted rate of $5 per person. To register, call 604-432-6359 and ask to register for the Native Fern ID workshop, barcode 6204. You must tell them that you are an NPSBC member to get the discount. There is limited space in the workshop, so best to register soon
courses the Monashee Institute is running in Rossland, BC over the next few months June 19-21: Mushroom Identification and EcoSystems of the Monashees July 3-5: Permaculture: The Theory and Practice of Abundance Oct 9-12: Smaller, Greener House Design. For further information – Link Here
B.C. tankers and pipelines news summary – June 11, 2015
Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain Opinion Pipeline politics plays out at city hall Mike Howell/Vancouver Courier. I’m going to make an assumption that most of you have come to the conclusion that Vancouver city council is opposed to Kinder Morgan’s plans to construct another pipeline from Alberta to Burrard Inlet. If documented proof of council’s opposition is what you want, I went back and found the minutes of a Dec. 18, 2013 meeting where council unanimously approved a motion to have city staff apply for intervenor status and participate in the National Energy Board hearings. So that little bit of history brings me to Tuesday’s council meeting, where politicians again had a motion before them on the pipeline proposal. Here’s how it read: “That having heard the expert evidence compiled by staff, and noting the overwhelming public opposition evidenced through public consultation, council reaffirm its position of December 18, 2013 that the City of Vancouver oppose the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain proposal as it poses an extreme risk to the people, businesses and environment of Vancouver! , with very little benefit.” This time, council wasn’t unanimous in moving the motion ahead. All three NPA councillors — George Affleck, Melissa De Genova and Elizabeth Ball — voted against it. The rationale, as I understood from a “strike and replace” motion from Ball and a later interview with the councillor, was that Vancouver wasn’t doing enough to sit down with Kinder Morgan “to have a meaningful say and influence on the safe transport and exportation of oil products through the waters adjacent to the city and its environs.” Ball’s motion, which was defeated, also requested the city convene a “tri-level round table” with the provincial and federal governments to agree upon “an appropriate and coordinated spill response strategy” for Vancouver’s harbour and surrounding waters. Ball wasn’t done there. She wanted the city to demand “the best science be brought to bear on all aspects of oil and oil products being shipped through Vancouver waters.” She also wanted meetings ! to discuss what insurance is in place to deal with recovery ef! forts, i n the event of a spill. Not anywhere in her motion was mention of the Kinder Morgan proposal, or an indication of whether she and her NPA counterparts support or oppose the pipeline expansion project — an answer the NPA also avoided giving during the fall civic election campaign. So as Ball left the council chambers, I asked her several times whether she supported the project. Here’s a taste of how that went: Me: Does the NPA support Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain proposal, or not? Ball: “The Trans Mountain proposal doesn’t exist, at this point. Oil is being shipped now. We want a response to that now. So regardless of what happens at the National Energy Board and then to the Parliament of Canada, we’re prepared. Right now, we’re not prepared for anything.” Me: But does the NPA support the Kinder Morgan project, or not? Ball: “We support a safe harbour and a clean harbor.” Me (laughing): We can keep talking in circles… Ball: “No, I’m not talking in circles…” Me: It’s a simpl! e question. Do you support the proposal, or not? Ball: “No, it’s not a simple question. That’s what I want to make really clear. People try to make it a simple question, but it’s not.” Sorry, my mistake. General (related pipelines, tankers and energy/oil sands topics) News Alberta’s oil sands take a hit as scientists, academics call for halt to development Shawn McCarthy/Globe and Mail. In a statement signed by 110 researchers from across North America, the group says the planned growth in oil sands production is inconsistent with efforts to cut greenhouse-gas emissions and avert the worst impacts of climate change, and also threatens the ecosystem of a vast stretch of the boreal forest. “No new oil sands or related infrastructure projects should proceed unless consistent with an implemented plan to rapidly reduce carbon pollution, safeguard biodiversity, protect human health and respect [aboriginal] treaty rights,” their statement said. The scientists’ call is just the latest salvo in an ongoing battle over the scale and pace of development – the same fight that embroiled Tim Hortons in a damaging controversy last week over its decision to run, then pull, ads by pipeline company Enbridge Inc. The increased awareness has forced companies to dr! amatically boost spending on mitigation, and strengthened the hands of those who would block new pipelines that producers need to reach new markets. The oil sands’ expansion and construction of the proposed pipelines – whether TransCanada Inc.’s Keystone XL in the United States or its Energy East project in Canada – are “inconsistent with efforts to avoid potentially dangerous climate change,” said SFU energy economist Mark Jaccard, one of the statement’s authors. He said U.S. and Canadian governments should reject pipeline proposals; restrict the expansion of crude by rail; impose a significant carbon price on oil and gas extraction, and strengthen regulations to reduce local impacts. Taken together, those policies would add up to a de facto moratorium because companies would scale back investment. While scientists’ statement is unlikely to move the Harper government, it provides fuel for opponents of Keystone XL in the U.S., as well as other pipelines. It also comes as Al! berta’s new NDP government is reviewing its fiscal and regulat! ory regi me for the oil sands, and promising to unveil new greenhouse gas (GHG) regulations for the sector. B.C. wants feds to stay out of environmental assessment for Fraser River LNG project Carlos Tello/Vancouver Observer. The provincial government has asked the federal Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency to stay out of the environmental review process of a controversial LNG jetty that could bring in more than 120 LNG tankers up the Fraser River. In a letter, provincial environmental assessment associate minister Kevin Jardine asks CEAA president Ron Hallman to allow B.C.’s environmental assessment of the project substitute the federal one, in case the CEAA determines a federal evaluation is needed. If the substitution is approved, the B.C. environmental assessment office would conduct a single process that meets both federal and provincial requirements. The B.C. and federal governments would then make separate decisions on whether to approve the project. According to experts, environmental activists and Indigenous groups, the project can have serious impacts on the Fraser River, its salmon population and the people who rely on the fish. In an emailed statement, B.C’s Ministry of Environm! ent defended the request for substitution by saying that it “reduces duplication and increases efficiencies for everyone involved … while maintaining a rigorous and thorough review process.” The B.C. and federal governments signed the agreement that allows the substitutions in 2013. Since then, the federal government has agreed to substituted assessment for 13 projects. For Kevin Washbrook, the director of Voters Taking Action of Climate Change, the substitution shouldn’t be allowed because of the provincial government’s deep investment in LNG. “I think any reasonable person who knows about B.C. politics would acknowledge that this government is completely invested in LNG exports and entirely biased in favour of them,” he said. “I don’t think anybody should have confidence that the provincial government will do an objective review of the risks of this project.”
From Outdoor Recreational Council
For Trail Funding If your organization is planning to or has already applied for, infrastructure funding for your trails through the Canada 150 Program which was announced in mid-May and for which applications have to be submitted by June 17, could you please inform this office. Recreation Sites and Trails BC would like to know the extent of the demand for this funding.
WesPac Tilbury Marine Jetty Project — Public Comments Invited
As part of the strengthened and modernized Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012) put in place to support the government’s Responsible Resource Development Initiative, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) must decide whether a federal environmental assessment is required for the proposed WesPac Tilbury Marine Jetty Project, located in British Columbia (B.C.). To assist it in making its decision, the Agency is seeking comments from the public on the project and its potential effects on the environment. Substitution Request The Government of B.C. has requested to substitute the B.C. environmental assessment process for the CEAA 2012 process if it is determined that an environmental assessment is required. The Agency is also seeking comments on this request. In considering the Government of B.C.’s request, the federal Minister of the Environment must be satisfied, under CEAA 2012, that: – the process to be substituted will include a consideration of the factors set out in subsection 19(1) of CEAA 2012; – the public will be given an opportunity to participate in the environmental assessment; – the public will have access to records in relation to the environmental assessment to enable their meaningful participation; – at the end of the environmental assessment, a report will be submitted to the Agency; the report will be made available to the public; and any other conditions the Minister establishes are or will be met. The Minister would also establish the following additional conditions for this project: – the involvement of expert federal departments in the B.C. process; – the Government of B.C. meeting the CEAA 2012 365-day timeframe for completing the environmental assessment; – the Government of B.C. conducting procedural aspects of Aboriginal consultation; and – the Government of B.C. making available to Aboriginal groups funding provided by the Agency to support consultation during the substituted environmental assessment. The Government of B.C.’s substitution request is made in accordance with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Agency and the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office to enable efficient and timely use of the CEAA 2012 substitution provisions. The MOU addresses the processes leading to substitution, the conduct of the substituted environmental assessment and associated Aboriginal consultation, and the coordination of decision making, monitoring and follow-up after the environmental assessment. The MOU and a backgrounder on substitution under CEAA 2012 are available on the Agency’s website.
Ticks can transmit a new Lyme-like disease
Going out to the back country this year – here is something worth reading about ticks link
The Jumbo Official Community Plan
The town with no people wants to adopt an Official Community Plan (OCP). The Jumbo Glacier Mountain Resort Municipality’s (JGMRM) OCP is “intended to reflect the long term vision of the community.” Whose vision? What community? The JGMRM has no residents, an appointed mayor and council and is funded by $200,000 of BC taxpayer dollars every year. Please join us in Radium on June 16 to speak out against this OCP without a community or send an email by 4PM, Friday, June 12. Since Jumbo has no citizens, it falls to all of us to oppose this plan and this affront to local democracy and land-use. OCPs are intended to guide a community, not a corporate development. Read the draft OCP here. Send your comment through our form by Friday, June 12th, 4PM or send an email or fax. Personalized comments will carry more weight. Fax: (250) 347-9068,
Posted inBC Nature|Comments Off on BC Nature eNews June 2015
Join the Comox Valley Conservation Community for a day long celebration of the watersheds and waterways that connect us all in the Comox Valley!Learn about restoration and habitat enhancement projects, salmon cycles, drinking water, forests, creeks, wetlands and estuaries – and so much more. Art projects, kids activities, volunteer engagement opportunities, hands on learning and guided walks – all looking out over the beautiful Puntledge River.Comox Valley Nature will be there with our new outreach tent. Come by and say hello, and try our bird identification game. We can also show you why native plants are best for your garden, and how to spot invasive species.Pack a picnic and stay for the day! Saturday Sept 19th from 9 am – 3 pmin Puntledge Park 1111 1st , Courtenay ...
In her memoir, Pacific Northwest author Caroll Simpson recounts the highs and lows of running a remote fishing lodge on her own following the untimely death of her husband, and of falling in love with the natural world. Simpson tells stories of living in the remote wilderness and managing the lodge, becoming an accidental environmental activist, fending off wild animals, working as an angling guide and finally, fighting off a proposed mining operation and participating in the development of a government land management plan as a spokesperson for the wilderness tourism industry.While Simpson welcomed paying guests at Ookpik Lodge, unwanted house guests included a woodchuck, a pack rat, and martens. Simpson constantly had to watch out for grizzlies, moose, and cougars. Storms and extreme weather also provided fodder for hair-raising tales. All this makes for wonderful storytelling.Caroll’s story is essentially a love story. In an essay for Sierra Club, Simpson wrote: “I developed an immense passion for flora and fauna. Just walking back and forth on the 300’ dock several times a day, I was exposed to the unbelievable beauty of the northern spectrum of water life: the golden eagle soaring above, the osprey and kingfisher diving and coming up with fish for their hatchlings, the muskrats and otters looking for an easy meal, the tireless beaver working into the late evening sunsets. All of these creatures and more expressed their generational ownership of this small piece of the world. In return each was given my utmost respect and admiration…As I listened to the loons at the end of each day and the owl and the wolf in the night, I felt blessed to be witnessing such beauty. “On September 20th, join Comox Valley Nature and Save Our Forests Team for an afternoon of storytelling about this remarkable time spent living on a remote British Columbia lake.The event is being held at the Comox United Church Hall. (250 Beach Drive, Comox) Admission is by donation. Doors open at 2:30; the event begins at 3:00 p.m. There will be time for Q&A after the presentation, as well as books available for purchase. Tea/coffee and cookies - including forest-themed cupcakes - will be available for a donation.Join us, and prepare to fall in love. ...
🎟️ Get your tickets to the Project Watershed 2026 Keeping It Living Dinner today! projectwatershed.ca/2026-keeping-it-living-dinner/Every ticket holder makes a difference. 💙 🎟️ Get your tickets to our 2026 Keeping It Living Dinner today! projectwatershed.ca/2026-keeping-it-living-dinner/When community and local businesses invest in conservation, our entire ecosystem benefits. Ticket sales directly support habitat restoration, scientific research, and environmental education, while the generosity of our sponsors helps offset event costs, ensuring that more of the funds raised can go directly toward this important work. Thank you to our incredible sponsors and dinner attendees for believing in the power of community-led conservation. Odlum Brown Community and Northwest Hydraulic Consultants, 40 Knots Winery, CNB Together, we're keeping our watersheds living. 🌿 Hope to see you September 12, 5 - 8 pm at 40 KNOTS Winery #KeepingItLiving #ProjectWatershed #CommunitySupport #Conservation #ComoxValley ...
The City of Courtenay is developing a long-term vision for Bill Moore Park and Dogwood Park to guide future improvements. To help guide these decisions, three initial concepts have been developed, and there is an opportunity for you to offer your input.The latest survey on the City website engagecomoxvalley.ca/bill-moore-and-dogwood-park asks for feedback on three concept plans and specifically which concept you prefer. The three concepts present a range of recreation possibilities and there is room on the survey for your comments.Dogwood Park is a 2.32‑hectare nature park featuring mature forested areas, natural habitat and a small wetland. Only Concept A will maintain the intact forest areas in Dogwood Park. Concepts B and C propose increased recreation in the park including an off leash dog park, disc golf course, pump track (a purpose built track for children’s cycling) and nature play areas. While the planners may say that no trees or few trees will be taken down to accommodate this, the under-story will not survive this level of trampling and fragmentation. The trees as well as all the wildlife who now call that area home will disappear over time. For those of us who value this forest, Concept A is the only option that makes sense.Dogwood Park is one of the few islands of green for many, many blocks. It provides habitat for wildlife, shade, retains water and acts as a carbon sink. On the architect's base plan of current conditions it is now characterized as an "underutilized space". The City has heard from sports enthusiasts but not nature lovers. Let them know why you value an intact forest and your connection to it. The survey is open until Sept 15. ...
The Canadian Coalition for Invasive Plant Regulation (CCIPR) wants the federal government to establish a regulatory body for the horticultural industry and create a national database identifying invasive plants and their risks in different regions. "Even if we don't prohibit them, we need to let the public know when there is potential harm," said CCIPR co-founder Cathy Kavassalis. "We do this on other products, and we should do it on plants too. It's just common sense."In July, Nanaimo council passed a motion to pursue a bylaw amendment restricting the sale of plants on a list maintained by the Invasive Species Council of B.C. A week later, Surrey moved to ban sales by businesses including nurseries, large retail chains and florists. Kavassalis said a problem that could be addressed at higher levels of government is being pushed down to municipalities."These are all patchwork solutions that, in some ways, just waste a lot of resources," she said. The CCIPR says a national database could give provinces, territories, retailers and gardeners a shared source of information about which plants pose risks in different regions. Kavassalis also wants invasive plants removed from shelves or clearly labelled.For more on this story visit www.cbc.ca/news/science/invasive-plants-sale-federal-regulation-9.7312362 or see our link in bio ...
Join the Comox Valley Conservation Community for a day long celebration of the watersheds and waterways that connect us all in the Comox Valley!Learn about restoration and habitat enhancement projects, salmon cycles, drinking water, forests, creeks, wetlands and estuaries – and so much more. Art projects, kids activities, volunteer engagement opportunities, hands on learning and guided walks – all looking out over the beautiful Puntledge River.Comox Valley Nature will be there with our new outreach tent. Come by and say hello, and try our bird identification game. We can also show you why native plants are best for your garden, and how to spot invasive species.Pack a picnic and stay for the day! Saturday Sept 19th from 9 am – 3 pmin Puntledge Park 1111 1st , Courtenay