The Comox Valley is home to some of B.C.’s richest natural heritage, and offers a wide variety of easily-accessible ecosystems from sea to sky.
In its nearly 50-year existence, Comox Valley Nature (Comox Valley Naturalist 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.
The Union Bay Coal Hills are 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 deactivated and capped in the 1960s. 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 CVN president. Interested participants are invited to meet in front of the Old Church Theatre on Harmston Avenue in Courtenay at 9 a.m. or at the park entrance at Union Bay at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 23.
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. The society also undertakes 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 northern Vancouver 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. Lectures are free, though a $3 contribution from non-members is appreciated. New memberships are always welcomed.
Russell Cannings, author of the recent best-seller Birdfinding in British Columbia will give an illustrated talk at CVN’s next lecture March 16 at 7 p.m. at the Filberg Centre.
Anyone interested in this lecture or participating in CVNS activities should visit http://comoxvalleynaturalist.bc.ca or contact Loys Maingon at 250-331-0143.
— Comox Valley Nature