Comox Valley Nature is pleased to present the work of two well-loved long-standing members, Jennifer Harrison and Krista Kaptein. Both will make 30 minute presentations prior to the 47th Annual General Meeting of Comox Valley Nature as part of the Rachel Carson Memorial Lecture series, at 7 pm on Sunday, February 17 at the Florence Filberg Centre.
Krista Kaptein is a past president of CVN. She was responsible for the very successful online Comox Valley Nature Viewing Guide which inventories local flora and fauna, and maps the various natural history sites around the valley which the public and tourists can enjoy. She currently manages the Strathcona Park Wilderness Centre at Paradise Meadows for Strathcona Wilderness Institute. She will be making a presentation on “Plants of Paradise Meadows”. This is an introduction to the online Paradise Plants ID guideshe has prepared for the public.
Jennifer Harrison’s talk, entitled “Two Naturalists’ Ramble in Costa Rica” will be presenting an introduction to the flora and fauna of Costa Rica. This talk will illustrate the diversity of Costa Rican fauna available to visitors as well as some of the challenges faced by the denizens of subtropical ecosystems.
Comox Valley Nature is a non-profit society affiliated to BC Nature which fulfills its educational mandate by hosting monthly lectures, organizing weekly guided hikes and undertaking a variety of environmental projects. 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 $3 contribution from non-members is appreciated. New memberships are always welcomed.
The forthcoming lectures, from January to May 2013 are part of CVN’s Rachel Carson Memorial lectures honouring women in Environment Studies, and will feature lectures on by scientists specializing in the study of lichens, mycorrhizae, and the impact of dams and invasive plants. This is an educational a series not to be missed.
Anyone interested in this lecture or participating in CVNS activities can also contact us at this website or Loys Maingon (CVN President) at 250-331-0143.
Posted inGuest Speakers|Comments Off on Feb. 17, 2013: Two Local Naturalists Featured
AGM 2013 – Along the Fraser – Adapting to
Change Abbotsford-Mission Nature Club – May 2-5, 2013 – Registration in
Spring Magazine and our website
February 28, 2013 – Deadline for BC Nature Awards
nominations. Please contact the office for further information or visit: our website
Deadline for BC Nature Resolutions
Feb 14 – 18 – Great Backyard Bird Count
April 4, 2013 -Rene Savenye Scholarships
applications must be sent to the office. Information can be found here
Skagit Valley Bird Blitz – May 10-12, 2013
Mt. Robson Provincial Park Bird Blitz – June 7-9,
2013
Manning Park Bird Blitz – June 14-16,
2013
BC NATURE BYLAW CHANGES
BC Nature bylaws are governed by the Society Rules and as
such, we are giving our members notice of changes to our bylaws to be voted on
at the AGM in Abbotsford May 4, 2013. The majority of proposed changes are
housekeeping of verbage based on the structure of BC Nature Executive and our
Federated Club membership. To find the overview and also the marked up copy of
our current bylaws to show where the changes are occuring, please visit our
website. Proposed Bylaw motions can also be found on our website and will also
be printed in the Spring Magazine. A complete list of our current bylaws and the
changes that are being voted on will be posted as well. Please Download here
Issue
29
Date
February
Evening Grosbeak
Participate in the 2013
Great Backyard Bird Count
A
fun, family event in your own backyard! Next GBBC: Feb. 15-18, 2013 You can
create your GBBC account starting Feb. 15 when you enter your first checklist.
Please visit the Great Backyard Bird Count Website
Cats – Cats – Cats
Its
been a flurry of cat activity over the last week to 10 days between BC Nature
and the media. BC Nature has spent alot of time on talk shows, newspaper
articles. Both the original resolution that was presented to the member back at
AGM 2011 and the US Study can be found on our website.
Overwhelming Response to Tofino Club
Due
to the overwhelming response that we received on the BC Nature Tofino Spring
Camp, the good folks over at Barkley Sound Marine in Tofino have opened up
another week. This is not sponsored by BC Nature, but will have many of the same
activities. The camp committee are trying to put the Tofino Camp on again in the
spring of 2014, not only once, but twice!! Stay tuned for further details in the
Fall. Below are the details if you wish to attend the Ecolodge Tofino week on
your own. BARKLEY SOUND MARINE and RAINFOREST FIELD CAMP 2013 SPRING MIGRATION TO BEAUTIFUL BARKELY SOUND Saturday March 23 – Tuesday
March 26, 2013
Join spring migrating Gray whales and seabirds to the
West Coast on a fantastic west coast adventure to Bamfield located in the heart
of Barkley Sound.
The 4-day field camp will include bird and marine mammal
watching, low-tide explorations of beautiful Brady’s beach, walks in ancient
temperate rainforests, and trips to the sea lion colonies and islands of the
Deer Group. Two boat trips allow for off-shore birding, gray whale observations,
and a tour of the Broken Group Islands, Pacific Rim national Park. Evenings will
include informative presentations and films. Bring your favourite slide show or
home video featuring the theme of “Spring Migrations” to win a prize!
Hosted
by the marine educators of the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre Public Education
Centre. 24-36 spaces are available. Registration Dead line is March 2, 2013,
when a 50% deposit is due. Cost: “under construction”
Housing is provided in
the BMSC Buchanan Residence and/or cabins (shared bathrooms). Meals are provided
in the BMSC Cafeteria. The program is scheduled to allow for arrival and
departure aboard the MV Frances Barkley out of Port Alberni (what a great way to
start and end your marine adventure-www.ladyrosemarine.com [250-723-8313]-ask
about group rates). For more information on how to get to Bamfield, visit our
website or give us a call. For more information, please contact: Public
Education Program, Bamfield marine Sciences Centre -250-728-3301 ext 226 or
email: http://www.bms.bc.ca/pubed.html
Need a student this summer for some of your activties – Summer Jobs
Hiring
Service
Canada is offering a Canada Summer Jobs 2013 initiative in which not-for-profit
organizations, public-sector employers and small businesses with 50 or fewer
employees who create summer job opportunities may receive funding support to
provide students with summer employment. For more information, please see their
website . Please note that the application period is February 1 to February 28,
2013. In addition, if you are looking to fill your summer positions this year,
please consider participating in “Now Hiring!” Fair at UFV on March 13, 2013.
Feel free to reply to this message or call us at 604.854.4507. Thank you. UFV
Career Centre | | 604.854.4507
Tidal energy-generating turbines pitched for Island
waters
Please
view the article written in the “Times Colonist” recently – here On the same page are further links to some
of the Scientific Studies on this subject.
Interesting Sites and articles
This
video is awesome – after you open this link, please hit the small “x” in the
corner to close the “Nag Screen” – Visit this site
Douglas
College hosts free forum on eco-friendly approach to de-bugging your garden –
Saturday, May 12, 1pm, in the Laura C. Muir Performing Arts Theatre, fourth
floor, Douglas College, 700 Royal Ave., New Westminster. For more information –
please visit: website
Public Meeting – February 16
(Tomorrow) – The Second Container Port on Roberts Bank – Where? – Sundance Inn
Banquet Hall – Delta, BC at 2:00 pm For more info please check out this website
By the Riverside Society of BC -Sustainable Living Leadership
Program – For Ages 19 – 35 Students – for more information and application,
please visit here
Creston Valley Bird Fest, scheduled
for May 10 & 11 is brand new. It is to be a celebration of the birds, the
art, and the agriculture of the Creston Valley. Please check out our website: website: and come and join us.
Combine the love of Food with your love
of Nature – “Dine For Nature” – February 25 – sponsored by Pinnacle Hotel in
North Vancouver as a fundraiser for Nature Trust. 15% of the proceeds of dinner
on the 25th get donated! for more information on the Pinnacle – please visit
their website
Recap of – State of Canada’s Species at Risk
Canada’s
independent science body, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in
Canada, released assessments of 42 species this winter, some of which were
reviewed for the first time. Wood Thrush, American Badger, Striped Bass and
others are highlighted in this recap on Nature Canada’s blog.
Enbridge Updates
Doctor
describes Harper government “pathology” at Kelowna JRP – article here
A 16-year-old’s testimony at
Enbridge Northern Gateway JRP – a must read for your children and grandchildren
– Here
Endangered spotted owls reach crisis point
Please
view this thought provoking article in the Vancouver Sun – Article Here
After reading this article,
please read a response below:
Scientists have warned for decades that the
endangered northern spotted owl would become extirpated in Canada unless
sufficient habitat were protected. This has not been done, and the owls are now
on the brink of extirpation. As the article indicates, the prognosis for success
of the government’s approach — captive breeding and release of spotted owls and
culling of barred owls — is not promising. In any event, survival of the owls
through human intervention rather than protecting habitat does not constitute
“recovery,” and was not the intent of the Species at Risk Act. Meanwhile,
logging continues in spotted owl habitat.
“Psssst! Do you need Aleutian Tern for your list?
Check
out this amazing fundraising trip for the Rocky Point Bird Observatory Birding
the Tatshenshini-Alsek River by Raft: June 21-July 4, 2013 Ptarmigan, Aleutian
Terns, Icebergs, Glaciers and more. Rocky Point Bird Observatory and Canadian
River Expeditions have teamed up to develop this exciting birding and rafting
trip. This trip will take us through some of the most spectacular and rugged
scenery in North America and will give us a chance to find some of the iconic
birds of the St. Elias Mountains. The naturalist/birder on the trip is biologist
Dave Fraser who has birded the Tatshenshini and Alsek Rivers for the past 18
years. Dave’s bird list and more information are available here
Posted inBC Nature|Comments Off on BC Nature enews February 2013
AGM 2013 – Along the Fraser – Adapting to
Change Abbotsford-Mission Nature Club – May 2-5, 2013 – Registration in
Spring Magazine and our website
January 15 Registration for Tofino Camp -April 27
– May 1, 2013 – Tofino Camp – Registration details in Winter Magazine and our website
January 31, 2013 – Submission date close for Club
Support Grants for BC Naturalists Foundation Grants.
February 28, 2013 – Deadline for BC Nature Awards
nominations.
Skagit Valley Bird Blitz – May 10-12, 2013
Manning Park Bird Blitz – June 14-16,
2013
Caribou decline raises alarm
Alarmed by what it sees as a collapse of the mountain
caribou herd, a local group is calling for a moratorium on logging in the upper
Clearwater valley. Yet a government wildlife manager questioned on Monday
whether the southern Wells Gray herd is collapsing or simply in decline along
with other B.C. herds. The Wells Gray World Heritage Committee insists that the
ministry’s own population estimates show a marked decline in the southern herd.
Very few caribou have been seen in southern Wells Gray in the past decade, said
Trevor Goward, a committee member. “I have it on authority … that the southern
herd has collapsed,” said Goward, a lichenologist who studies the lichen on
which the caribou feed through winter. The population count is down by
one-third, from 325 animals a decade ago to roughly 200 today. “That’s a
collapse; that’s as much as I need to know.”
for the full story visit this
link
Issue
28
Date
December – January
Photo Contest
Winners
Thank
you to all of the members who entered the 2012 BC Nature Photo Contest. Winners
will be showcased in the 2013 Spring Magazine. Amazing photographs were entered
into the contest and the judges had a difficult time narrowing down the
selection from 225 to 6! Look for our prize winner to be on the cover of the
Spring 2013 Magazine.
Response to BC Nature Letter on planned Wolf Management
Your
email to the Honourable Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural
Resource Operations regarding the proposed wolf management plan has been
referred to me for a response.
The British Columbia government is committed
to ensuring sustainable wildlife populations and healthy predator-prey
relationships throughout the province. In addition, we are committed to working
with our stakeholders, ranchers and First Nations to manage the impacts of
wolves on livestock and protecting endangered species in British Columbia.The goal of wolf management in British Columbia is to ensure a
self-sustaining population throughout the species’ range and to ensure that
within the biological limits of the species, wolves are available in sufficient
abundance to fulfil their ecological role and to meet the cultural,
recreational, and economic needs of society. The plan indicates wolf populations
are likely stable or increasing across the province and are not considered an
‘at-risk’ species. The current wolf population estimate is approximately 8,500,
which is similar to an earlier estimate of 8100 in 1991.
While there are
strong differing beliefs and values on the management of wolf populations, it is
important that decisions are informed by sound science. Wildlife management
plans summarize the best available science-based information on biology and
threats to inform the development of a management framework. They set goals and
objectives, recommend approaches appropriate for species or ecosystem
conservation, and provide strategic advice. While the proposed plan does offer
some recommended management actions, it does not advocate any particular action
with respect to wolf management. Any future wildlife management decisions will
always be made with conservation of all species, including wolves, as the
foremost priority.
The wolf management plan is a comprehensive plan that
will help inform future government policy decisions. We have received over 2500
comments on the plan and each will be read and considered before the plan is
finalized.
Thank you for writing and expressing your concerns. Sincerely,
Tom Ethier – Assistant Deputy Minister Resource Stewardship
Excellence in Water Stewardship Award
British
Columbians are encouraged to nominate an organization, partnership, business,
community group or institution for the first annual Council of the Federation
Excellence in Water Stewardship Award.
The award recognizes outstanding
achievement, innovative practice and excellence in water stewardship in Canada.
Award recipients will be announced during Canada Water Week on World Water Day
(March 22, 2013). There will be one recipient in each province and territory.Please refer to the BC Nomination Package for more information. Nominations
must be received by January 31, 2013. See this
link for all of the information you will need to nominate a worthy project
or individual.
Protection for Kilpoola Lake Area IBA – Purchase by the Nature
Conservancy of Canada
BC
Nature congratulates the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) and its partners on
their recent purchase of two grassland properties totaling 520 hectares within
the 3200 hectare Kilpoola Lake Area Important Bird Area (IBA) near Osoyoos in
BC’s South Okanagan Valley. Full Story here A good Day!
Upper Lillooet Hydro Power Project
Unfortunately,
the Upper Lillooet hydropower project was approved January 10, 2013. Thank you
for supporting the letter. We will continue to work to prevent further impacts
to the Upper Lillooet watershed and grizzly bears in southern BC. A Sad Day!
Interesting Sites and articles
The
Lost Island Of Socotra – the most alien place on earth – Great link
Good Gas, Bad Gas – Interesting article
New Species of ‘Decoy’ Spider Likely
Discovered At Tambopata Research Center, Peru – link here
Do you Tweet ?…. – good Twitter
link found here
About Town – Upcoming Events
Engagement
Organizing Training for BC Freshwater Leaders – Friday, January 25th – Sunday,
January 27th, 2013 – Hosted by the Canadian Freshwater Alliance – Whistler. We
are seeking 15 participants representing groups and organisations working on
freshwater issues spread across British Columbia’s 9 major watersheds (Yukon,
Taku, Stikine, MacKenzie, Nass, Skeena, Coastal, Fraser, and Columbia).
Applicants will be selected to ensure a diversity of participants across issues,
watersheds, group/organisational capacity, and interest. Note small number of
travel subsidies will be available for some selected participants OUTSIDE the
lower Mainland and Southern Vancouver Island on an as-needed basis. details here
Posted inBC Nature|Comments Off on BC Nature enews Dec-January 2013
AGM 2013 – Along the Fraser – Adapting to
Change Abbotsford-Mission Nature Club – May 2-5, 2013 – Details in Winter
Magazine and our website
January 15 Registration for Tofino Camp -April 27
– May 1, 2013 – Tofino Camp – Registration details in Winter Magazine and our website
January 31, 2013 – Submission date close for Club
Support Grants for BC Naturalists Foundation Grants.
February 28, 2013 – Deadline for BC Nature Awards
nominations.
Skagit Valley Bird Blitz – May 10-12, 2013
Manning Park Bird Blitz – June 14-16,
2013
Website Updates
We are working hard to finish up access to the “members
only” area – we should be up and running within the next week to 10 days. In the
meantime, your BCnature winter magazine has been sent to you and on the mailing
address label is a number on the top left hand corner – this will be your access
and password to the members only area. An update will go out to all clubs when
the site is up and running and have no worries, if you do not have your
magazine, if you are a BC Nature member, we will have your number on file. Thank
you for your patience!!
Issue
27
Date
November 2012
Will Spring Ever
Come?
Christmas Social
For
any members who are in the North Vancouver area on December 11, BC Nature office
is holding our Christmas Social. We invite you to drop in between 3:00 pm – 6:00
pm. Please bring an appie or sweet to share. We wish you all a happy and safe
holiday season. BC Nature – 1620 Mt. Seymour Rd., North Vancouver, BC Please
RSVP – 604 985 3057
Let’s Halt the Expansion of Dirty Coal Exports!
Did
you know that the Greater Vancouver area is at risk of becoming the biggest coal
exporter in North America?
Coal-fired power plants in the US have been
shutting down due to environmental concerns. As a result, pressure from American
coal producers who now want to sell to Asia have resulted in a slew of coal port
expansion proposals on the Pacific coast.
Weaker environmental regulations
in Canada mean that US producers are now eyeing BC ports as a gateway to Asian
markets for their dirty coal. Right now the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
(Port Metro Vancouver) is considering two proposals to increase coal exports. If
approved, the proposed Fraser Surrey Docks Direct Coal Transfer Facility would
handle up to 4 million metric tons (Mt) per year, with the potential to increase
to 8 million Mt per year. Another proposal from North Vancouver’s Neptune Bulk
Terminals hopes to expand coal-handling capacity by 6 Mt to allow for a total of
18 Mt of coal exports from the terminal each year. Combined, these expansions
have the potential to export of the equivalent of over 154,000 railcars full of
coal per year—enough to build a train stretching the distance from Vancouver to
Mexico. And that’s not even counting the existing export capacity of the
region’s ports!
Accelerating coal exports from BC would be a huge step in
the wrong direction, and would have serious implications for local communities,
our climate and for future generations. The mandate of the Port Authority is to
“operate with broad public support in the best interests of Canadians”. But
instead, they have been quietly moving to approve these projects with little
public input. We say that expanding BC’s coal exports to facilitate the burning
of fossil fuels around the world is not in anyone’s best interest. That’s why
we’re asking you to please WRITE NOW and send a letter to the Planning
Department at Port Metro Vancouver, urging them NOT to approve coal expansions
at the Fraser Surrey Docks and Neptune Terminals. Yesterday, a wide array of
prominent groups and individuals from both Canada and the United States signed
onto an open letter to the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, urging
decision-makers to fully consider the serious global warming implications of the
proposed increase in fossil fuel exports. How can Vancouver become the “Greenest
City” in the world with such a huge amount of fossil fuel pollution being
shipped through the region’s own ports? Experts from all over the world have
warned that not enough is being done to reduce pollution from burning fossil
fuels, and that the window of opportunity to avoid catastrophic climate change
is rapidly closing. Please help spread the word, and insist that the Port
Authority do the right thing—for the health of our local communities, and for
the global climate—by stopping the increase in coal exports from BC’s coast!
Contact information: Public Affairs – 604.665.9066 or Fax 1.866.284.4271 Email
to: Address: 100 The Pointe, 999 Canada
Place, Vancouver, BC V6C 3T4
On going Enbridge Information, articles,updates
Breaking
down yet another attack on Canada’s environmental laws article here.Artists for an oil free
Coast – read all about it hereFrom the Vancouver Sun – Second
shipping incident in two days heightens concerns read more
About Town – Upcoming Events
YNC
– The Christmas Bird Count for Kids is a winter bird count for young birders.
Saturday Dec 8, 2012 – Register here
The adventure begins with an indoor session including
demonstrations and activities to practice using binoculars, learn about birds
and how to identify them.Each participant (and accompanying parent) will be part
of a small birding team, led by an experienced birder, and will conduct a 1-1.5
hour survey in Stanley Park recording the number of bird species and individuals
seen. After the survey, all teams will re-group for lunch (bring your own) and
we’ll tally up the bird numbers and compare sightings!
This family program
is suitable for children ages 5-12 * note children must be accompanied by an
adult (parent, grandparent or guardian)
What to bring: – A parent or adult
with you for the day. (They will help with facilitating, driving and logistics
during our bird count.) – Binoculars and bird field guide if possible (otherwise
provided) – Warm clothes, rain gear and appropriate footwear – Your own bagged
lunch, water and other personal items
Program co-sponsored by Bird Studies
Canada, the Young Naturalists’ Club of BC and the Stanley Park Ecology Society
Registration is on a first come first serve basis.Registration is open
for River Restoration Northwest’s 12th annual Stream Restoration Symposium to be
held at Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, WA (USA) February 5 to February 7, 2013. To
register please visit here
The Healthy Forests – Healthy Communities
The
Healthy Forests – Healthy Communities: A conversation on BC forests (HFHC)
initiative has continued to acquire and communicate the views of communities and
experts on what needs to be done to achieve forest and community sustainability.
Recommended actions (“Strategic Action Plan”) on the identified community issues
have been developed. We encourage you to review the draft posted on the HFHC website ,
send us your comments email – and ask the
politicians running in the May 2013 election what they are going to do, if
elected. Additional community input will be provided during the upcoming
November Community Workshops to be held in a number of communities across BC. A
final report will be distributed in January-February 2013. MAKE YOUR VOICE
HEARD.
Interesting Sites and articles
A
member Blog on Skagit
Thinking of travelling this winter –
guide to “Green” Travel
Marine e-Atlast Launched –
view website here
Beyond the Beetle – News release here
Amazing Osprey Video – website here
Oil Sands truth website
We
have recently installed a ‘subscription to e-news’ on the Office of the
Ombudsperson’s website If you or your members are interested in receiving
notifications of a release of a systemic investigative report, updates on
recommendations and periodic news from the Office of the Ombudsperson we invite
you to sign up.
No Man is an island – watch here
Backyard Birdwatchers Wanted!
If
you feed birds in your yard each winter, why not turn your hobby into research
that supports bird conservation? By joining Project FeederWatch and sharing
information about which birds visit your feeders between November and April, you
can help scientists at Bird Studies Canada and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
track changes in bird numbers and movements.
Project FeederWatch begins on
November 10 and runs until early April. Taking part is easy! Just count the
numbers and kinds of birds at your feeders, and enter the information on the
FeederWatch website (or on printed forms). Last season, 2565 Canadians
participated, and another 13,000 people in the United States. For only $35.00 –
your participation would be gratefully accepted!
For more information –
Visit the “Explore Data” section of the FeederWatch website to find the top 25 birds reported in your region and
bird summaries by state or province. There are four ways to register for Project
FeederWatch in Canada: • Fill out the online form at this website • Email • Write to: P.O. Box
160, Port Rowan, Ontario N0E 1M0 (enclose a $35 cheque to Bird Studies Canada) •
Call Bird Studies Canada toll-free at 1-888-448-2473
Parks are a valuable economic contributor in our
province
BC
politicians learned firsthand earlier this month about the many economic
benefits of parks beyond conservation, including tourism and other business
development. On October 1st Chloe O’Loughlin, Director of Terrestrial
Conservation, made these points to the Province of British Columbia’s Select
Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services. To read the full
presentation, please click here
Salmon Farm Leases – Land only
Justice
Bruce Cohen just released his Final Report on his 3-year, $26 million commission
into the 17-year decline of the Fraser Sockeye. Cohen Report
I want to share Cohen’s incredibly strong
wording within the confines of his mandate, which was specific to the Fraser
sockeye. Clearly, however, Fraser sockeye are not different from other salmon in
their vulernability to the array of farm salmon pathogens.
I will write more
detail in my blog soon, but I wanted you to know the good news as soon as
possible. The Cohen report includes: •Salmon farms have the potential to import
exotic viruses and amplify endemic ones •There should be an immediate freeze on
farm salmon production on the Fraser sockeye migration route •DFO should be
relieved of their duty to promote salmon farms •Mitigation into the impact of
salmon farms on wild salmon should not be delayed and should be carried out in
the absence of absolute certainty •DFO must assess ALL research done on the
impact of farm salmon on wild salmon and if found greater than minimal, the
industry must be prohibited from operating on the Fraser sockeye migration
route! •Siting criteria has to be revised to include wild salmon migration
routes.
As this report is tabled, you should know the Province of BC is in
the process of renewing many salmon farm leases. The Province of BC remains the
landlord of the industry even though regulation has become federal. If BC offers
this industry long term leases, Justice Cohen’s recommendations and our $26
million will be wasted. The Province cannot at this point offer these lease
renewals without consulting with the Fraser First Nations, because the salmon
they have rights to are swimming through effluent from the salmon farms, Cohen
is specifically reporting on.
I am actively researching exotic salmon
viruses, but if these leases are renewed in the next few weeks, there will be
little chance of the Cohen recommendations being acted on. This report is the
result of a massive amount of work, I especially thank my lawyers Lisa Glowacki
and Greg McDade – they went the extra mile and beyond! There is something you
can do now. I have created a petition in honour of Cohen’s work asking Permier
Clark not to renew the salmon farm leases to the sea floor of BC. If you step up
and share it widely, there is a chance our children will have wild salmon in
their lives, and honestly it looks like there are tough times ahead, they will
need everything we can leave them. View here.
In celebration of hope and thanks to you Mr Cohen
for seeing the difficult truths,
Alexandra Morton
Plastic – Midway Island
This
may not be suitable for young children to see. Nature is able to recycle most
naturally occurring substances through decay and decomposition. But plastics are
made by humans to be resistant or even immune to natural processes. Some day
natural selection may produce organisms that can metabolize plastics, but that
is likely to be a million or more years, if ever. In the meantime discard
plastic finds its way to the oceans. In the Pacific Ocean, an ocean current
moves in a giant circle called a gyre which is located near Midway Island. The
Pacific Gyre has concentrated millions of tons of discarded plastic of all
shapes and sizes which can be ingested by marine life including sea birds.To see what happens to sea bird chicks that are fed plastic detritus by
their attentive parents go to the following website.
Porbeagle Sharks – Atlantic Canada – Need your Help!
Porbeagle
sharks are one of the most endangered sharks in the Atlantic Ocean. Since 1961,
their population has declined by 89%. Yet, on November 12th, Canada will stand
in front of 47 other countries to defend its right to keep fishing this
endangered shark. Canada is now the only country on the Atlantic ocean directly
targeting this shark and is allowing thousands to be caught as ‘bycatch’ in
fisheries for other fish. Sign our petition asking Gail Shea, Canada’s Fisheries
Minister, to join the international consensus and protect the porbeagle,
Canada’s shark. When you sign an email will be sent directly to the Minister.
Big Wild Giveaway
Big
Wild Bucks is back for 2012! Each year, MEC and The Big Wild give five Canadian
conservation projects the chance to receive $10,000 in grants. We’ve chosen five
environmental groups from across the country and we need your help doling out
the dough. The finalists are: • Pacific Wild • Nature Canada • Our
Incredible World • Sentiers pédestres des 3 monts • Friends of Kananaskis
Country The project with the most votes receives $5000. The second place group
receives $3000, and the third place group receives $2000. Vote here
Jobs and Growth Act (Bill C-45)
Mr.
Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to speak to yet another budget omnibus bill.
I suppose I should not use the word “pleased”. I want to first make a few
comments on the subject of omnibus bills and what we have seen in this one year.
We essentially have seen budget 2012 used as an excuse for the tabling of 900
pages of legislation largely unrelated to the budget itself. This exercise is
both illegitimate and undemocratic in combining 70 different bills in Bill C-38,
allegedly related to budget 2012, and now 60 different bills in Bill C-45.See
full speech Here
Protect Northern Waters – Sign the Petition!
Dear
friends and allies, Under pressure from the shale gas industry, the BC
government is moving to “clear the backlog” of pending permanent water licence
applications in northeast BC. The result of the these licences will be the
removal of nearly 10 billion gallons of water from northern rivers, lakes and
streams EVERY YEAR for up to 40 years. This water will be used for fracking and
will not be returned to the environment–it will be contaminated and disposed of
in deep oilfield injection wells. BC is making these decisions blind. They do
not have the necessary data. They are not measuring or tracking the effects of
fracking on the environment. They have not informed or consulted the public
about the effects of water loss and fracking. Their sole basis for decision
making is the needs of industry. We are calling on you to help us send a message
to the Premier that these licences cannot go forward until BC implements proper
water management planning and public consultation on water use and shale gas
development in BC. Please sign the petition at: Website
PLEASE HELP PROTECT BRITISH COLUMBIA’S WOLVES
The
BC government has pulled a fast one. The draft Wolf Management Plan was released
on November 14, and the deadline for public input is December 5. There is now a
little more than 1 weeks to respond. You can download it from the government website link . But for those who don’t have the time to read
and digest 49 pages of material, we offer this rather long analysis.
The
draft Management Plan honestly admits that wolves play a key role in healthy
ecosystems, that 11 years of killing wolves in caribou habitat has not resulted
in more caribou, and that current figures for wolf populations are unreliable.
It speaks of maintaining balance between conservation of wolves and killing
them, and claims the goal of ensuring “self-sustaining populations” of wolves.
Yet the Plan clearly intends: 1.Increased killing of wolves to please the
rancher lobby. 2.Intensified killing of whole wolf packs under the pretext of
saving mountain caribou. 3.Embedding hunter and rancher lobby groups in
partnership with BC’s Conservation Officer (CO) Service. The government has made
severe budget and staff cuts to the CO service, now this is the next step:
putting vested interests in control of managing our wildlife.
And the deck
has been loaded towards helicopter killing with the claim that this is the most
efficient and “humane” way to go about protecting caribou. Let’s be really
honest: allowing ranchers to have open season on wolves and shooting whole packs
from helicopters with automatic weapons takes us back to the ignorant, cruel
days when wolves were called “vermin” and viewed as rats to be killed anywhere,
any time, by anybody. And despite the talk of “balance”, the draft plan offers
no management actions to recognize other values of wolves such as their
intrinsic worth as living things, their role in maintaining healthy ecosystems,
and their tourism/wildlife viewing values.
This draft Plan would enshrine
the government’s War on Wolves in formal policy: a policy based on scapegoating
wolves for problems caused by people; a policy that would continue our cultural
misbeliefs that constant shooting and trapping of wolves is the only way to
treat them.
Already, more wolves are being killed than at any time since
kills began to be recorded in 1976. According to the draft Plan, the number of
recorded kills hit an all-time high for that period during 2011,with 1,400
wolves killed. But many, if not most wolf kills are not reported.RECOMMENDATIONS 1.Extend the deadline for public input to January 30, 2013.
2.Set aside large areas of the province where wolves are protected from any
killing, so that wolves can develop natural packs and behaviour, which will
provide benchmarks for scientific research and as areas where people can watch
wolves. 3.NO helicopter killing of wolves. 4.NO leghold traps or snares. 5.By
the draft Plan’s own admissions, 11 years of killing wolves to save caribou have
not increased caribou. These programs have failed and should be stopped. 6.The
government has acknowledged that the chief reason for mountain caribou decline
is loss of habitat. A secondary reason is snowmobiling and heli-skiing in winter
habitat. To save caribou the government should 1) stop logging old-growth forest
in mountain caribou range, 2) ban snowmobiles from winter range (current bans
are inadquate and not enforced), and 3) roads built in caribou range need to be
obliterated to prevent easy access by predators. 7.Return to former species
licence, quotas, bag limits, restricted seasons, and mandatory reporting of
kills for hunting wolves. 8.Continue government programs for compensating
ranchers for losses to wild predators. 9.Fund an adequate Conservation Officer
Service. The Conservation Officer Service should not partner with vested
interests such as ranchers; this is the foxes running the chicken coop.
10.Practice prevention by providing education and incentives to improve
protection with fences, guard dogs, shepherds, etc. As of the date of this
Action Alert you have Only a few days to make a comment at: Government request
for comments
Posted inBC Nature|Comments Off on BC Nature enews November 2012
There will be four to five organized Christmas Bird Counts in December in the Comox Valley and area. Four are organized by the Birding Group and Young Naturalists Club of Comox Valley Nature.
This year Comox Valley Nature will inaugurate a formal “Kid’s Christmas Bird Count” organized by the Young Naturalists coordinator, Lisa Zervakis and Dr. Art Martell. This is an exceptional outing with master birders for kids 5-14, accompanied by parents, December 15, from 9am – 1pm. This is a first for the Comox Valley, having its first annual Christmas Bird Count for Kids (CBC4Kids). This event is limited to 40 children. Contact Lisa Zervakis: 250-871-2730.
Other Christmas bird counts are for adults 16 and up. The first is on Sunday, December 16 in Comox. The second covers the Deep Bay area on Wednesday, December 19. The third is a seabird survey,on Thursday December 27, aboard the Little River to Powell River Ferry. The fourth is the Campbell River Count on Saturday, December 29. Interested parties should contact Dr. L. Maingon (250-331-0143).
Posted inBirds|Comments Off on Christmas Bird Counts 2012
In the last of the season’s public interpretive walks, Comox Valley Nature is offering a free public guided walk at the west side of Seal Bay Park from the Fitzell Road entrance on Saturday Dec. 1 at 9:30am. This is an occasion to close the season with a celebration of Melda Buchanan’s conservation work and inaugurate the Audubon Bird Count season.
As December begins, Comox Valley Nature will close its very successful nature walk series and inaugurate the coming intensive Audubon Christmas Bird Count period, with a guided nature walk shift through Seal Bay Park. Participants will be able to review the last remaining winter mushroom cycle, and the shift of bird populations to their winter habitats at lower elevations.
This should provide interested parties with a good introduction to the winter bird counts – to which all interested members of the public are welcome to join us. The walk will be led by local naturalist and professional biologist, Loys Maingon. Interested parties can either carpool in front of the Old Church Theatre on Harmston Street at 9am, or meet at Fitzell Road off Langlois Road at 9:30 on Saturday December 1.
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 $3 contribution from non-members is appreciated. New memberships are always welcomed.
Anyone interested in participating in CVNS activities can also contact Loys Maingon (CVN President) at 250-331-0143.
Posted inField Trips|Comments Off on Seal Bay Park Walk, Dec. 1
1st winter Citrine Wagtail in Comox (Courtenay River Estuary). Initially seen on November 14th, 2012; continued to January 9th, 2013. Sighted again February 15 to February 19, latest sightings March 6 to 24th.
Directions to specific location: From Courtenay, cross the 17th St bridge (Courtenay River) east toward Comox. Turn right onto Comox Road (Dyke Rd) until approximately 500m to the second dirt track (For Sale sign) on the left. Park on the shoulder of Comox Rd. on the right hand side and walk up the track towards the steel chain blocking vehicle access (100m). The wagtail has been observed to the left of the steel chain. Please be aware, this is private property , but birders have been given permission to walk down the dirt track but NOT to enter the property on the left side of the road. UPDATE: there is now a gate installed therefore no more access past the hedgerow due to upcoming farm work.
This is the first Canadian record and second North American record!
Ethnohistorical researchers Linda Dorricott and Deirdre Cullon will present a one-hour illustrated lecture based on findings associated with the recent publication of the hitherto little known and untapped diary of Captain G.H. Richards. Richards surveyed the Vancouver Island Coast aboard HMS Plumper and HMS Hecate between 1860 and 1862. Dorricott and Cullen’s research provides an indispensable record on state and composition of the Comox Valley’s ecosystems.
The Private Journal of Captain G.H. Richards: The Vancouver Island Survey (1860-1862) has provided both the public and scholars with a rare insight into the ecology and cultural anthropology of Vancouver Island and the Comox Valley prior to the arrival of the first European settlers. It includes parts of the journal of Second Master John Gowlland who provides a unique view into the natural history of the Comox Valley. This research enhances our understanding of the treaty negotiations, aboriginal land and research use, the archeology , the development of First nation archives and legal actions. It also provides an illuminating insight into the mindset of the Europeans who first mapped and planned the early development of the valley.
This lecture will be accompanied with a book-signing . It will take place at 7 pm on Sunday November 18 at the Florence Filberg Centre, 411 Anderton Ave in downtown Courtenay.
Comox Valley Nature is a non-profit society affiliated with BC Nature which fulfills its educational mandate by hosting monthly lectures, organizing weekly guided hikes and undertaking a variety of environmental projects. Lecture is free, though a $3 contribution from non-members is appreciated. New memberships are always welcomed.
Anyone interested in this lecture or participating in CVNS activities can also contact Loys Maingon (CVN President) at 250-331-0143.
Posted inGuest Speakers|Comments Off on Nov. 18, 2012: Ecological Historians Linda Dorricott & Dierdre Cullon
After an extremely popular and successful edible mushroom walk at Williams Beach Forest which drew close to 80 people, Comox Valley Nature is offering another free public walk at Nymph Falls. This is traditionally one of our annual wild mushroom identification walks, however due to the collapse of mushrooms in the wake of this summer’s extreme drought, this walk will focus on mushrooms and general ecology. (Please note that this is not an edible mushroom walk. Picking is prohibited in regional parks.)
The walk will be led by 3 well-known members of CVN’s Botany Group, who bring a wealth of interest in mushrooms, Dulcie Hamilton, Alison Maingon and Charlotte Ostrowski. Because of its topography, deep accumulation of second-growth litter, and cool humid environment along the Puntledge Nymph Falls is one of the better areas regionally which favours a rich mycological diversity. This walk promises to be educational and fun for participants of all ages, as the trails at Nymph Falls are relatively level and well defined.
This walk will be on Saturday November 3. Participants should either meet in front of the Old Church Theatre on Harmston Ave. at 9:00 am, or at the Nymph Falls trailhead at 9:30am.
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 $3 contribution from non-members is appreciated. New memberships are always welcomed.
Posted inField Trips|Comments Off on Mushroom Walk, Nov. 3
The CVN photo group met last night for its September meeting and here are a few of the photos we shared with one another.Species and photographer shown in each photo... ...
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. ...
