Butterflies are not just beautiful reminders of lazy summer heat, they are sensitive indicators of the state of the environment. There is a very close relationship between the health of native plants and the butterflies pollinate them.
Butterfly distributions across the landscape are largely affected by climate change and by herbicide usage. Understanding how butterfly population numbers fluctuate in the Comox Valley helps us understand what stresses outr local environment faces.
As part of its public educational mandate, Comox Valley Nature will carry out its Public Annual Butterfly Count at Cumberland Marsh on Saturday, July 6 at 10 a.m. It will be led by local entomologist and photgrapher, Terry Thormin. This is a unique opportunity for the public to learn to identify common butterflies in our environment and to understand what role they play in our environment.
Participants should meet at the entrance to the Chinese Village, at Jumbo’s Cabin in Cumberland on the Road to Comox Lake, at 10 a.m. Saturday. Some butterfly nets are primarily available to YNC members, members of the public are therefore encouraged to bring their own nets.
This event is open to all members of the public, free of charge. It is also a Young Naturalists Club event, which is organized by Lisa Zervakis, the retiring YNC Chair. CVN has greatly appreciated Lisa’s leadership which has introduced many children and their parents to the Comox Valley’s rich natural heritage. The position is currently being vacated and will be an enormous loss. CVN invites any interested parent of a four- to 14 year-old to this important position.
Comox Valley Nature is a non-profit society affiliated to BC Nature which fulfills its educational mandate by hosting monthly lectures, organizing free weekly guided hikes and undertaking a variety of environmental projects. Aside from its main activity as a non-profit, Comox Valley Nature also supports specialized groups (Birding, Botany, Garry Oak Restoration, Wetland Restoration, Photography and Young Naturalists Club) which have separate monthly activities.
Founded in 1966, it is one of the oldest environmental societies on the North Island.
Anyone interested in participating in CVNS activities can also contact us at the website http://comoxvalleynaturalist.bc.ca or Loys Maingon (CVN president) at 250-331-0143.
– Comox Valley Nature