CVN Press Release
Comox Valley Nature Holds 1 Day Island Conference on Courtenay’s Urban Forest Plan and Its Implications for Climate Change and Biodiversity
Comox Valley Nature is opening its annual Fall Vancouver Island Regional BC Nature conference to the public to initiate a public conversation on the implementation of Courtenay’s Urban Forest Plan within the upcoming Official Community Plan Review. After much hard work and public consultation Courtenay Council has approved a remarkable and far-seeing urban forest plan that deserves to be supported for successful implementation by all concerned. The goal of the conference is to initiate an open forum where the many benefits of bringing nature into our cities may be discussed, and the means to implement or further its goals can be considered.
Nature is increasingly recognized for its numerous physical and mental health effects. Conventional planning is however also become notorious for its adverse social and mental effects. Which are known as “the Glasgow effect”. Decades of misguided hard-urban engineering have taken a toll on our local ecology. CVN is bringing together some of the best local expertise to discuss local problems and solutions that may guide considerations in the next iteration of the OCP. Participants include: Nancy Gothard (Courtenay Town Planner) who will present the “Courtenay Urban Forest Plan”; Loys Maingon (Registered Biologist and environmental historian) “Re-thinking the Urban Forest Plan in an Age of Climate Emergency”; Will Marsh (Geomorphologist), “Adaptive Design”; Thomas Dishlevoy (Registered Architect), “The Comox Valley Living City Challenge”; Alison Mewett (BC Landscape Architect) “Urban Trees”; and Royann Petrell (Ecological engineer) “Urban Avian Ecology”.
The conference will be held October 26th, 9am to 6pm and includes lunch. Registration for the Conference is limited to 90 which is the capacity of The Green Room at The Filberg Centre. Pre-Registration is $30 and will be cut-off October 23 to allow for in-person registration at the door, if space remains. Registration payment is by PayPal (Donation “other”) at: https://comoxvalleynaturalist.bc.ca/contact-us, or cash or cheque at the door. Email inquiries can be directed at: .
Comox Valley Nature is a non-profit society affiliated to BC Nature consisting only of unpaid volunteers. CVN fulfills its educational mandate by hosting monthly lectures, organizing free weekly guided hikes for members, and a free monthly walk open to the public. Comox Valley Nature also supports specialized groups ( Birding, Botany, Garry Oak Restoration, Wetland Restoration, Photography and Young Naturalists Club) which have separate monthly activities. Membership in BC Nature and Comox Valley Nature is $30.
Founded in 1966, it is one of the oldest environmental societies on the North Island. Meetings and lectures of the Comox Valley Naturalists Society are held on the third Sunday of most months at the Florence Filberg Centre, 411 Anderton, Courtenay. Meetings and guided walks are open to the public, including children and youth. Lecture is free, though a $4 contribution from non-members is appreciated. New memberships are always welcomed.
Anyone interested in this lecture or participating in CVNS activities can also contact us at the website http://comoxvalleynaturalist.bc.ca/ or Loys Maingon