There will be three iNaturalist survey sessions in the month of June. Some of the lowest tides of the year are coming up – and luckily for us, the lowest tide days are at the weekends of June 3/4 and June 17/18. Details of the locations and dates/times are given below. We have found significant Pacific oyster populations in the locations that we have surveyed so far and expect to find many more. We welcome new and existing volunteers to…
Report & Photos by Janet Snell For our second oyster survey event, groups of Nature Vancouver volunteers spent two productive afternoons photographing the many Pacific oysters in the sheltered bay bordering Charleson Park. Many observations have been uploaded to iNaturalist showing clearly that this is one of the oyster hotspots in False Creek. Oysters and other bivalves contribute to improved water quality and provide valuable reef habitat for other marine life. As such, they help to improve the biodiversity of…
This year’s volunteer awards were announced on 27th April, 2023 at the AGM. The AGM was held via Zoom Video Conferencing. The award plaques will be presented later. Garibaldi Award for Club Services The Garibaldi awards recognize members who have performed significant service to the Society over several years. Up to four Garibaldi awards are presented each year. These awards were established in 1993. Peter Cawsey A member since 1987, Peter has been participating in Christmas Bird Counts from at…
Report and Photos by John Martin April 28 2023 – May 01 2023 The City Nature Challenge is an annual event that happens simultaneously on the same dates around the world. Vancouver is now one of well over 400 cities participating worldwide with a total of 41 across Canada alone in 2023. Nature Vancouver held 4 separate walks in our regional parks during this event. The weather held out on almost all days with just a bit of rain on…
Report by Janet Snell & Joan Lopez False Creek © Chris Harley On Sunday, April 23, a boat and walking tour of False Creek was held for a group of twenty Nature Vancouver Oyster Survey volunteers. Our special guest was Chris Harley, a UBC Marine Ecology professor. We are excited to be doing this project with support from a BC Naturalist Foundation Club grant. We are also working closely with False Creek Friends Society with the boat tour made possible…
Report and Photos by Leader – Bettina Matzkuhn Nine members of Nature Vancouver and one guest participated. The weather was warm and breezy. We saw a Humpback whale spouting in the distance en route to the island. We covered approximately 10km to and from the Sturdies Bay ferry terminal, with a short stop at the historic Japanese Charcoal Pit Kiln. We made a few mistakes with the route but were rescued by Teresa’s GAIA track. The trail that goes up the back…
Submitted by Trip Leader – Jan Lowcock Saturday, April 29, saw a burst of summer-like temperatures and sunshine as a group of 16 Nature Vancouver birders (new and experienced) explored Queen Elizabeth Park. The lower and upper duck ponds were quiet for waterfowl but we had a good look at the colourful breeding plumage of the few Mallards and American Wigeons. The east pond edge was active with Yellow-rumped Warblers, Song Sparrows and Rufous Hummingbirds. As we moved toward the upper duck pond,…
The 105th Annual General Meeting of Nature Vancouver was held on Thursday, April 27 at 7:30 via a Zoom video conferencing. At the business part of the meeting, the President’s and Treasurer’s reports were presented for approval. The amendments to Nature Vancouver Bylaws (changes to membership categories) were approved. Election was held for the Board of Directors for 2023-2024. Nine members were elected: Colin Clasen, Laura Cottle, Adele Liu, Joan Lopez, John Martin, Nigel Peck, Janet Snell, Donna Underhill, and Selina…
Undergrad Scholarship – Austin Molby Austin is a Vancouver local previously working as an engineer designing railroad parts across North America. After noticing the differences between engineering and environmental projects and his love for nature, he decided to return to school to get his bachelor’s in Ecological Restoration. Recently graduated, Austin wants to continue his education in the future with a masters in Civil/Environmental engineering to get skills in engineering solutions geared towards restoration in the hopes of allowing restoration…
Undergraduate Scholarship – Matthew Syvenky Matthew is a 3rd year undergraduate student studying towards an honours degree in Resource and Environmental Management at Simon Fraser University (SFU). Matthew feels happiest while spending time learning and working outdoors to steward British Columbia’s ecosystems and biodiversity. Since Matthew started studying at SFU, he has become the youngest board member of the Cariboo Heights Forest Preservation Society and the Invasive Species Council of Metro Vancouver. Matthew served as Chair of BC Nature’s Climate Committee…