Comox Valley Naturalists are gearing up to celebrate a big 50th birthday bash by bringing some much-needed economic stimulus, and encouraging everyone to participate in changing how we think about the environment and 鈥渘atural capital鈥� after COP21.
From May 12-15, CVN will be hosting BC Nature鈥檚 AGM, which should draw about 250 naturalists, environmentalists and environmental scientists from across the province to the Comox Valley. The organizing committee has pitched high, and will be showcasing the very best that the Valley has to offer in its organic agricultural, and artisan production and culture, as well as its many natural assets.
The conference will include workshops on child nature education, birding by ear, nature photography for beginners, Comox Valley rare and endangered species, and watershed restoration. It will also bring both local speakers and scientists from across North America. The conference will be kicked off by a lecture on the climate change future of the Comox Valley by Dr. Richard Hebda, followed by a variety of speakers on wide-ranging topics from environmental economics to wetland conservation and tree diseases.
Canadian conservation history and the role of Mack Laing will be specially addressed by Dr. Briony Penn, whose new book is already a nominee for the Governor General鈥檚 prize. Dr Steven Price, chair of Bird Studies Canada, will be flying in specially for this event. And Dr. Val Schaefer will close the conference with a lecture on climate adaptation and environmental restoration.
The conference will also offer field trips to some of the Valley鈥檚 rarely accessible nature hot spots, at bargain rates. Information on the conference can be found at bit.ly/1OduaMa
The conference is partially funded by local grants, including a Comox Valley Economic Development Society contribution of $1,500. In appreciation of local support, CVN is making the conference specially accessible to Comox Valley residents by offering a discount. Anybody who buys a CVN membership and registers for the conference by Jan. 17 only pays $115 (instead of $155 in March).
Comox Valley Nature is a non-profit society affiliated with BC Nature. It fulfills its educational mandate by hosting monthly lectures, organizing free weekly guided hikes for members, 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. Membership in BC Nature and Comox Valley Nature is $30 per adult and $40 for a family.
Anyone interested in this lecture or participating in Comox Valley Naturalists Society activities can contact the group at comoxvalleynaturalist.bc.ca, or call CVN president Loys Maingon at 250-331-0143.
