Explore the Valley’s natural heritage in Comox Valley Nature’s monthly FREE public walk to the Union Bay Coal Hills.
The Comox Valley is home to some of BC’s richest natural heritage, and offers a wide variety of easily-accessible ecosystems from sea to sky. In its nearly fifty year existence Comox Valley Nature (Comox Valley Naturalists Society) has been in the forefront of public environmental education and conservation efforts. As part of its educational mandate Comox Valley Nature invites the public to monthly public interpretive walks to experience sites of environmental interest. This month’s walk features an invitation to come and learn about the Union Bay Coal Hill ecosystem.
Union Bay Coal Hills is both an important part of the valley’s cultural history as well as a prime example of a post-industrial ecosystem of enormous interest for the restoration problems it poses and the land-use opportunities it presents. This post-industrial coal and rail site was de-activated and capped in the 1960’s. It is a good example of the environmental successional processes associated with coal mining restoration and rehabilitation and the problems associated with such sites. The site is monitored monthly by Comox Valley Nature for Bird Studies Canada’s seabird survey. It is home to a rich, and sometimes surprising, birdlife.
The walk will be led by Dr. Loys Maingon (RPBio) and President of Comox Valley Nature. Interested participants are invited to meet either in front of the Old Church Theatre on Harmston Ave, in Courtenay at 9:00 am, or at the entrance at Union Bay at 9:30 am on Sunday, February 23.
Anyone interested in participating in CVNS activities can also contact Loys Maingon (CVN President) at 250-331-0143.
