Nature

Garry oak tree. Photo by Terry Thormin

Garry oaks are popular nominees for Comox Valley Tree of the Year

By Kerri Scott Special to the Record Few other communities have a…

Garry oak tree. Photo by Terry Thormin
Save French Creek Estuary Land has documented eagles nesting on a Douglas Fir tree near the French Creek Marina. (SFCEL photo)

Clock ticking as charity $300,000 away from Vancouver Island eagle reserve dream

Major donations assist $5 million effort to preserve French Creek estuary

Save French Creek Estuary Land has documented eagles nesting on a Douglas Fir tree near the French Creek Marina. (SFCEL photo)
The“Bear Tree” on the Dove Creek connector is a habitat tree, saved from removal, when black bear cubs were spotted climbing around in the cottonwood’s branches. Photo by Ed Brooks/Backdoor Gallery

Nominations now open for the Comox Valley Tree of the Year

By Kerri Scott Special to The Record Comox Valley Nature (CVN) is…

  • Feb 1, 2022
The“Bear Tree” on the Dove Creek connector is a habitat tree, saved from removal, when black bear cubs were spotted climbing around in the cottonwood’s branches. Photo by Ed Brooks/Backdoor Gallery
This snowy owl, popular on the Peninsula for its Sidney perch in public the last couple weeks, didn’t show itself for the annual Christmas Bird Count in Sidney/South Salt Spring Island on Dec. 19, but was spotted on Monday. (Photo by Christy Grinton)

Rare snowy owl turns shy during annual south Island Christmas Bird Count

Victoria count includes rare Arctic bird sighting by Oak Bay team

This snowy owl, popular on the Peninsula for its Sidney perch in public the last couple weeks, didn’t show itself for the annual Christmas Bird Count in Sidney/South Salt Spring Island on Dec. 19, but was spotted on Monday. (Photo by Christy Grinton)
Some fish are released into Arden Creek by a volunteer. Photo supplied

Courtenay stream restoration project nearing completion

The final touches will be added this fall to a stream restoration…

Some fish are released into Arden Creek by a volunteer. Photo supplied
Dr. Peter Ross presents an online lecture titled “Environmental pollution in British Columbia: A short history of chemical conquest,” on Sunday, Oct. 17, 7-9 p.m. Photo supplied.

Comox Valley Nature lecture: Chemical compounds in our oceans

Comox Valley Nature hosts an online lecture by Dr. Peter Ross. The…

Dr. Peter Ross presents an online lecture titled “Environmental pollution in British Columbia: A short history of chemical conquest,” on Sunday, Oct. 17, 7-9 p.m. Photo supplied.
The Wilson Nature Park sign was unveiled at the Englishman River Estuary on Marine Way in Parksville on Sept. 16. Pictured from left, The Nature of BC chair and CEO, respectively, Emily Griffiths-Hamilton and Jasper Lament, and founders of the Wilson 5 Foundation, Summer and Chip Wilson. (Michael Briones Photo)

Wilson 5 Foundation donates $6M to rehabilitate Vancouver Island’s Englishman River

Largest land conservancy gift made by the foundation to date will re-naturalize Parksville estuary

The Wilson Nature Park sign was unveiled at the Englishman River Estuary on Marine Way in Parksville on Sept. 16. Pictured from left, The Nature of BC chair and CEO, respectively, Emily Griffiths-Hamilton and Jasper Lament, and founders of the Wilson 5 Foundation, Summer and Chip Wilson. (Michael Briones Photo)
The western redcedar is a culturally, ecologically and economically important tree to western North America, but recent increases in dieback have raised concern about its vulnerability to hotter and drier climates. Photo supplied

Comox Valley Nature lecture discusses western redcedar dieback

Comox Valley Nature is hosting an online lecture by Dr. Joey Hulbert.…

The western redcedar is a culturally, ecologically and economically important tree to western North America, but recent increases in dieback have raised concern about its vulnerability to hotter and drier climates. Photo supplied
(Lakes District News File Photo/Eddie Huband)

VIDEO: Fraser Valley pilot spots black bear from the air

Agassiz area pilot captures footage of a wandering black bear among the stalks of corn

(Lakes District News File Photo/Eddie Huband)
This year’s Western hemlock "looper" moth outbreak has been seen in the Lower Mainland and the Interior, including communities throughout the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. (Lorraine Maclauchlan photo)

Western Hemlock Looper Moths return for a third feast of B.C. foliage

Outbreaks of the moths occur every 11 to 15 years in Coastal and Interior forests

This year’s Western hemlock "looper" moth outbreak has been seen in the Lower Mainland and the Interior, including communities throughout the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. (Lorraine Maclauchlan photo)
(Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

VIDEO: Invasive lizard population spreads across Vancouver Island

Even record-breaking heat didn’t diminish European wall lizard population

(Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Saturnina Island is situated off the east coast of Gabriola Island. (Google Maps image)

Island near Nanaimo preserved as park after $4M donation from Lululemon founder

Chip Wilson’s family’s foundation supports three land purchases in the Strait of Georgia

Saturnina Island is situated off the east coast of Gabriola Island. (Google Maps image)
Although the process to prepare the snails is long, Revelstoke resident Hailey Ross said they are mighty tasty. (Contributed)

1 way to deal with invasive snails in B.C. is… to eat them?

Foraging for Roman snails, which are cooked in fancy dishes globally as escargot

Although the process to prepare the snails is long, Revelstoke resident Hailey Ross said they are mighty tasty. (Contributed)
From left, Karen Cummins, Suzanne Gravelle and Ted Grainger pose with the winner of this year’s Comox Valley Nature Tree of the Year contest - a western yew, located in the Cumberland Community Forest. Photo by Dianne Grainger.

Comox Valley’s ‘Tree of the Year’ unveiled

By Kerri Scott Special to The Record For the first time in…

  • Jun 11, 2021
From left, Karen Cummins, Suzanne Gravelle and Ted Grainger pose with the winner of this year’s Comox Valley Nature Tree of the Year contest - a western yew, located in the Cumberland Community Forest. Photo by Dianne Grainger.
University of Maryland entomologist Paula Shrewsbury, reaches for a cookie topped with a cicada nymph, Monday, May 17, 2021, in Columbia, Md. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Freaked by cicada swarms? You could just stick a fork in ‘em

Full of protein, gluten-free, low-fat and low-carb, cicadas are eaten by humans in many countries.

University of Maryland entomologist Paula Shrewsbury, reaches for a cookie topped with a cicada nymph, Monday, May 17, 2021, in Columbia, Md. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A fledgling white raven was spotted near the end of Winchester Road in Coombs. (Mike Yip photo)

Legend continues as iconic white raven spotted once again on Vancouver Island

Sightings rare everywhere in world except for central Vancouver Island location

A fledgling white raven was spotted near the end of Winchester Road in Coombs. (Mike Yip photo)
Tree #10 is a western yew in Cumberland Community Forest, which was nominated by Ted Grainger, who also took this photo.

Finalists announced for Comox Valley Nature’s 2021 Tree of the Year

The Comox Valley Nature 2021 Tree of the Year finalists have been…

Tree #10 is a western yew in Cumberland Community Forest, which was nominated by Ted Grainger, who also took this photo.
Joe Sommer of Chilliwack reaches toward a killdeer on its nest on his property, in March 2021. The red marking is to alert the neighbouring farm to avoid the area. (Submitted photo)

Chilliwack man has close encounter with killdeer after marking nest

Killdeer nest near farm fields and other high danger areas, but man is intent on saving birds

Joe Sommer of Chilliwack reaches toward a killdeer on its nest on his property, in March 2021. The red marking is to alert the neighbouring farm to avoid the area. (Submitted photo)
Comox Valley Nature is in search of the community's 2021 Tree of The Year. ADOBE STOCK IMAGE

Comox Valley Nature accepting nominations for ‘Tree of the Year’ contest

Submitted to The Record Comox Valley Nature’s (CVN) annual contest, now in…

  • Jan 20, 2021
Comox Valley Nature is in search of the community's 2021 Tree of The Year. ADOBE STOCK IMAGE
Jason Toft is a senior research scientist at the University of Washington School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences. Since 2000 he has focused on nearshore restoration and the effects of shoreline armoring in Puget Sound. He will be giving an online lecture on the topic of shoreline restoration Sunday, Jan. 17. Photo supplied. Jason Toft is a senior research scientist at the University of Washington School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences. Since 2000 he has focused on nearshore restoration and the effects of shoreline armoring in Puget Sound. He will be giving an online lecture on the topic of shoreline restoration Sunday, Jan. 17. Photo supplied.

Comox Valley Nature hosts online lecture on the topic of shoreline restoration

Comox Valley Nature is hosting an online lecture by Jason Toft, entitled…

  • Jan 12, 2021
Jason Toft is a senior research scientist at the University of Washington School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences. Since 2000 he has focused on nearshore restoration and the effects of shoreline armoring in Puget Sound. He will be giving an online lecture on the topic of shoreline restoration Sunday, Jan. 17. Photo supplied. Jason Toft is a senior research scientist at the University of Washington School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences. Since 2000 he has focused on nearshore restoration and the effects of shoreline armoring in Puget Sound. He will be giving an online lecture on the topic of shoreline restoration Sunday, Jan. 17. Photo supplied.