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
This coming Monday, June 15th, Terry Thormin will lead a field trip to 9 km. Bog. We will meet at Harmston at 10:00 and will have a second meeting place at the first parking lot on the Strathcona Parkway at 10: 20. Everyone should bring rubber boots and a lunch.
Today at Hawk Greenway and Mallard Creek Headwaters, 12 birders found 32 species. Highlights were nice looks at Willow Flycatcher, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow Warbler, and Evening Grosbeak.
Mallard
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Rufous Hummingbird
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Willow Flycatcher
Hammond’s Flycatcher
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Warbling Vireo
Northwestern Crow
Common Raven
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Pacific Wren
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Swainson’s Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Orange-crowned Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Black-throated Gray Warbler
Townsend’s Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Chipping Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Evening Grosbeak
Posted inBirds|Comments Off on Bird Outing Report: Hawk Greenway, June 11,2015
Yesterday at Simpson Farm, 9 birders found 35 species. Highlights were a Sandhill Crane, an Anna’s Hummingbird, a Greater Yellowlegs and an unusually high number of 14 Blue-winged Teal.
I have attached a photo of the Sandhill Crane that flew over us that Kathryn took and asked me to share with everyone…..thank you Kathryn.
Sandhill Crane
Canada Goose
American Wigeon
Mallard
Blue-winged Teal
Northern Shoveler
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Bald Eagle
Sandhill Crane
Killdeer
Greater Yellowlegs
Rock Pigeon
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Anna’s Hummingbird
Rufous Hummingbird
Pacific-slope Flycatcher
Northwestern Crow
Violet-green Swallow
Barn Swallow
Chestnut-backed Chickadee
Bushtit
Marsh Wren
Bewick’s Wren
Swainson’s Thrush
American Robin
European Starling
Cedar Waxwing
Common Yellowthroat
Yellow Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
House Finch
American Goldfinch
Posted inBirds|Comments Off on Bird Outing Report: Simpson Farm, May 28,2015
On Monday 6 botany group members went on a beautiful walk along the dry open area of the water pipes, then veered off towards the Puntledge river. After a windy path we had a short lunch break at the beach. We documented a total of 95 species.
Below is Joel’s List and a link to our Plant List in excel format Plant List for Comox Valley with walks 2015
HERBACEOUS PLANTS, SHRUBS AND TREES ON Puntledge Walk
Excluding grasses, sedges and rushes
Submitted by Joel Kositsky 25/05/2015
Non-native plants are indicated with *
MONOCOTS
ARACEAE (now includes LEMNACEAE)
Lysichiton americanus
skunk cabbage
ASPARAGACEAE (formerly part of LILIACEAE)
Maianthemum dilatatum
false lily-of-the-valley
COLCHICACEAE (formerly part of LILIACEAE)
Prosartes hookeri
Hooker’s fairybells
Streptopus amplexifolius
clasping twisted stalk
LILIACEAE
Erythronium oregonum
white fawn lily
Lilium columbianum
tiger lily
MELANTHIACEAE (formerly part of LILIACEAE)
Trillium ovatum
western trillium
ORCHIDACEAE
Goodyera oblongifolia
rattlesnake-plantain
DICOTS
ADOXACEAE (formerly CAPRIFOLIACEAE)
Sambucus racemosa
red elderberry
APIACEAE
Heracleum maximum
cow-parsnip
Osmorhiza berteroi
mountain sweet cicely
Sanicula crassicaulis
Pacific sanicle
ARALIACEAE
Oplopanax horridus
devil’s club
ARISTOLOCHIACEAE
Asarum caudatum
wild ginger
ASTERACEAE
Adenocaulon bicolor
pathfinder
Anaphalis margaritacea
pearly everlasting
Arctium minus
common burdock *
Arnica latifolia
mountain arnica ?
Cirsium sp.
Thistle *
Lactuca muralis
wall lettuce *
Leucanthemum vulgare
oxeye daisy *
Tanacetum vulgare
common tansy *
Taraxacum officinale
common dandelion *
BERBERIDACEAE
Achlys triphylla
vanilla-leaf
Mahonia aquifolium
tall Oregon-grape
Mahonia nervosa
dull Oregon-grape
BORAGINACEAE (Includes HYDROPHYLLACEAE)
Myosotis discolor
common forget-me-not *
Nemophila parviflora
small-flowered nemophila
BRASSICACEAE
Lepidium heterophyllum
Smith’s pepper-grass *
CAPRIFOLIACEAE
Lonicera ciliosa
western trumpet,
Lonicera involucrata
black twinberry
Symphoricarpos albus
common snowberry
CARYOPHYLLACEAE
Cerastium/Stellaria sp
chickweed
CELASTRACEAE
Paxistima myrsinites
falsebox
CLUSIACEAE
Hypericum sp.
St. John’s-wort
CORNACEAE
Cornus stolonifera
red-osier dogwood
ERICACEAE (now includes MONOTROPACEAE, PYROLACEAE AND EMPETRACEAE)
Chimaphila umbellata
prince’s pine
Gaultheria shallon
salal
Pyrola asarifolia
pink wintergreen
Vaccinium parvifolium
red huckleberry
FABACEAE
Cytisus scoparius
Scotch broom *
Lathyrus nevadensis
purple peavine
GERANIACEAE
Geranium robertianum
Robert’s geranium *
GROSSULARIACEAE
Ribes lacustre
black gooseberry
Ribes sanguineum
red-flowering currant
LAMIACEAE
Stachys chamissonis
Cooley’s hedge nettle
LINNAEACEAE
Linnaea borealis
twinflower
ONAGRACEAE
Epilobium angustifolia
fireweed
PAPAVERACEAE (includes FUMERACEAE)
Dicentra formosa
Pacific bleeding heart
PLANTAGINACEAE (includes many from SCROPHULARIACEAE)
Collinsia parviflora
small-flowered blue-eyed Mary
Plantago major
common plaintain *
POLYGONACEAE
Rumex sp.
lemon grass
PORTULACACEAE
Claytonia rubra
redstem springbeauty
Claytonia sibirica
Siberian miner’s-lettuce
PRIMULACEAE
Trientalis borealis
broad-leaved starflower
RANUNCULACEAE
Anemone lyalli
Lyall’s anemone
Aquilegia formosa
Sitka columbine
Ranunculus sp. (occidentalis?)
buttercup
Thalictrum occidentale
western meadowrue
Trautvetteria caroliniensis
false bugbane
ROSACEAE
Amelanchier alnifolia
Saskatoon
Aruncus dioicus
goat’s-beard
Fragaria sp. (chiloensis)
strawberry sp.
Geum macrophyllum
large-leaved avens
Holodiscus discolor
oceanspray
Rosa gymnocarpa
baldhip rose
Rosa nutkana
Nootka rose
Rubus armeniacus
Himalayan blackberry *
Rubus parviflorus
thimbleberry
Rubus spectabilis
salmonberry
Rubus ursinus
trailing blackberry
Spiraea douglasii
hardhack
RUBIACEAE
Galium aparine
cleavers
Galium trifidum
small bedstraw
SAXIFRAGACEAE
Tellima grandiflora
fringecup
Tiarella trifoliata
foamflower
VIOLACEAE
Viola glabella
stream violet
TREES (GYMNOSPERMS)
CUPRESSACEAE
Thuja plicata
western red cedar
PINACEAE
Abies grandis
grand fir
Pinus monticola
western white pine
Pseudotsuga menziesii
Douglas-fir
Tsuga heterophylla
western hemlock
TAXACEAE
Taxus brevifolia
western yew
TREES (ANGIOSPERMS)
BETULACEAE
Alnus rubra
red alder
RHAMNACEAE
Rhamnus purshiana
cascara
ROSACEAE
Prunus emarginata
bitter cherry
SALICACEAE
Populus trichocarpa
black cottonwood
Salix sp. (scouleriana?)
Willow sp. (Scouler’s?)
SAPINDACEAE (formerly ACERACEAE)
Acer glabrum
Douglas maple
Acer macrophyllum
bigleaf maple
PTERIDOPHYTES (FERNS AND ALLIES)
DENNSTAEDTIACEAE
Pteridium aquilinum
bracken fern
DRYOPTERIDACEAE
Athyrium filix-femina
lady fern
Dryopteris expansa
spiny wood fern
Polystichum munitum
sword fern
EQUISETACEAE
Equisetum sp. (arvense?)
horsetail sp. (common?)
POLYPODIACEAE
Polypodium glycyrrhiza
licorice fern
PTERIDACEAE
Adiantum aleuticum
western maiden-hair fern
Pentagramma triangularis
goldenback fern
Posted inField Trips, Plants and fungi|Comments Off on Botany Outing Report: along the Puntledge, May 25th 2015
(THIS EVENT IS FULL, join the waitlist through our events page) Comox Valley Nature invites you to a special opportunity to learn and connect with K'omoks First Nation storytelling, benefiting the KFN culture department. Pamela Mitchell, Culture Manager for KFN, has created a workshop around the legend of Dzunuk’wa the wild Woman of the Woods. Kwakwak’wakw oral tradition tells of a giantess that lives in dark forests and has thick messy hair, a black face and full red lips.This workshop is a great way to learn about local Indigenous traditions through a hands-on project that creates lasting memories about the K’ómoks First Nation culture. For this project we will be creating a wild woman ornament; you will colour the iconic red lips and face of the wild woman and hand-spin the wool for the crazy wild woman hair. While we work on our ornaments, Pamela will read her version of the wild woman story.This project takes about 1-1.5 hours. Workshop fee is $36 which includes the cost of a supply kit. Proceeds go to the KFN Culture Dept.Register through our CVN events page.https://comoxvalleynaturalist.bc.ca/events/ ...
Drawing on the Salish Sea: A Zoom course in support of the Mitlenatch Island Stewardship Team (MIST)Have you wished that you could keep a nature journal or paint the life around you? During three Zoom sessions you can explore how to quickly capture wildflowers, inter-tidal life and birds You’ll learn how to draw quickly and accurately, starting with simple shapes, then using some refining techniques, which will help you draw with less frustration!You’ll look at materials: papers, pens, and coloured mediums like pencil crayons. Then you’ll jump into watercolours with a simple palette and mixes as well as quick watercolour techniques you can use in the field or at home. All the lessons will be accompanied with downloadable notes.You will finish the course ready to start your own Nature Journal.Zoom recordings will allow you watch the sessions at your convenience during the course and for a month after we wrap up. About Mitlenatch Island:Mitlenatch Island is a small rocky island that sits between Campbell River and Powell River, in the Salish Sea. Cast in the rain shadow of Vancouver Island, its flanks are clad in golden grasses and its meadows host an explosion of spring wildflowers. Anchored where tides rush in from the north and south, rich waters encircling the island teem with fish; intertidal life flourishes and thousands of seabirds nest on cliffs, in rocks, and on open ground. It’s shores provide refuge for mother seals with their pups, and haul out for sea lions in the winter. In recent years Humpbacks have returned to nearby waters, to feed on krill and schooling fish. With so much life, much of it on exposed nesting areas, the island has a special vulnerability. The Mist volunteer wardens are in place for the summer months to welcome people to the island (which is accessible by boat only) and to relate to visitors the natural and human history of the island. For 25 years Alison Watt has spent a week on the island in the summer, as a volunteer warden. Her journals are full of Mitlenatch sketches. She finds it a delight and a privilege to return each year to this jewel of the Salish Sea. MIST is a special organisation which works closely with BC Provincial Parks to ensure that Mitlenatch Island remains a haven for the plants and animals of the Salish Sea.Sign up and donate through www.alisonwatt.ca/drawing-on-the-salish-seaFor more information on Mitlenatch Island visit www.mitlenatch.ca/mitlenatch-island...
Comox Valley Nature invites its members and the public to CVN’s October general meeting, where you can hear the following keynote presentation by our guest speaker: Birdbrains – Smarter than you think- with Sandra Milligan Once dismissed as “birdbrains,” birds are now recognized for their remarkable intelligence. Sandra explores the evolution of our understanding of avian neuroanatomy, focusing on local species. Through engaging stories and videos, Sandra explores how birds solve problems, use tools, express empathy, and communicate with rich vocabulary – inviting you to see these creatures with newfound respect and wonder.Sandra Milligan has been teaching university level biology at North Island College for over twenty years. With graduate degrees in neuroscience, she’s now a generalist, naturalist, and lifelong learner. In Campbell River, she’s a recognized environmental advocate and public educator. Her passion for birding has evolved into a deep interest in avian behaviour and intelligence. Drawing on her neuroanatomy background, Sandra has followed the growing research on bird cognition, confirming what many intuitively felt – birds display an extraordinary range of intelligent behaviours. Sunday, October 25, 2026 at 3 pm in the main hall of Comox United Church, 250 Beach Drive, Comox. Members of the public welcome.This will be an in-person only meeting. We will not record the presentation on this occasion [this is a correction to previous information].As always, there will be a break after the presentation with a chance to meet new people and socialize with old friends. Tea, coffee and treats will be available (by donation).A brief meeting follows. Reports from some of our interest groups and projects are an opportunity for guests to learn more about what we do. ...
It's that time of year! A couple of off leash dogs have been seen romping at the confluence of Morrison Creek and the Puntledge River. Dogs get quite excited to see those big chum. The chum do spawn right at the mouth of the creek, salmon eggs are very sensitive to disturbance so paws, or feet, in the creek kill eggs. Keep your dog on a leash, especially if you do not want a smelly dog! Dogs like to roll in dead fish. Salmon spook, be a quiet calm wildlife paparazzi. ...
Fish Walk!!! ( Well, not really...but don't miss this chance to follow their journey!)Join the Morrison Creek Streamkeepers for a walk along Morrison Creek, starting at its confluence with the Puntledge River in Puntledge Park, to watch salmon spawning after their remarkable journey back from the ocean. Register here: form.jotform.com/262924316992264...
