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Arrowsmith Naturalists Newsletter Volume # 17 Issue Number 2 June 2011 http://www.arowsmithnats.org To know, enjoy, and preserve Nature TABLE OF CONTENTS President’s Report……………………………………………………..page 2, 3 A Rare Opportunity…..………………………………………………... 4 BC Nature AGM & Conference Reports… …………………………. 5, 6 Congratulations………………..………………………………………. 7 Rene Savenye & His Legacy.………………………………………. 7 Meetings and Outings………………………………………………… 9, 10 The Arrowsmith Naturalist is published three times a General Information: Club membership information is year…in February, June and October. Articles on available at both of the public libraries, on the web site birding, travel, botany and environmental matters are http://www.arrowsmithnats.org, or write to *Arrowsmith welcomed by the end of the month prior to publication. Naturalists, Box 1542 Parksville B.C. V9P 2H4. Annual The next deadline is September 2011 for the October membership is $35.00 per family, $22.00 single or $12.00 2011 edition. junior (up to 18 years). Membership includes monthly meetings (talks and/or slide shows), regular hikes (bird Hand-written or typed articles are accepted. Some watching, botanical), BC Nature newsletter four times a year editing may be required for length or held off for and club newsletter in February, June and October. another edition according to available space. Please e-mail articles to [email protected] or send by mail to: New Memberships are always welcomed. 194 Valdez Ave, Qualicum Beach, B.C. V9K 1R8 Editor: Margaret Hill (250) 752-2728 Arrowsmith Naturalists Officers and Contacts: BULLETIN BOARD President: Dave Hutchings (250) 752-1613 Past President: Roger Simms Parking: If you find you have to park in the over-flow lot Vice President: Bill Campbell down the street from the school, be aware that the gates Secretary: Pam Helem are locked at 9:30 p.m. One of our members found herself Treasurer: Carol Anne Philion locked in and had to phone for a ride home. Membership: Gail Armstrong Directors: ; Gilles Gratton; Martin Hill No Smoking: Smoking is not allowed anywhere on school Programs: Dave Hutchings (250) 752-1613; Bill property. Campbell Sunshine: If you know of an Arrowsmith Naturalist, who is Field Trips: Maggie Little (250) 757-2328; Penny ill, in hospital or recently bereaved, please contact: Pam Marshall Helem, at (250) 468-7475 or at [email protected] Promotion: Sallie Dabb Refreshments: Alison Bakker Club Publications: Young Naturalists: Alison Bakker Conservation/Environment: Gary & Ronda Murdock A reference copy of the current newsletter is available at Web Site: David Helem each of the libraries at Parksville and Qualicum Beach. BC Nature: Pat Bourgeois Meetings and Outings information sheets are available at Mulberry Bush Book Store in Qualicum Beach and Parksville. Fall BC Nature Conference: It will be hosted by the Delta Naturalists; Sept 29 to Oct 2nd. http://bcnature.ca/pages/conferences/conferences.html Arrowsmith Naturalists Newsletter Volume # 17 Issue Number 2 June 2011 http://www.arowsmithnats.org President’s Report As I sit here at the keyboard, I can gaze out the window at yet another cool but ever-changing spring day. If you are a gardener, you are about three weeks behind the stage when you wish for a colourful, productive start to the growing season. However, if you are a naturalist as well, you can rejoice that this is the best of all seasons when nature comes out from a period of dormancy and hibernation into one of a renewal of life in all its forms. The birds return or pass through on their way to nesting areas; bear cubs and deer fawns explore a new, exciting world, and new green shoots and flower buds quickly open to repeat a beautiful cycle of life that inspires optimism. And, for the most part, the past few months for the Arrowsmith Naturalists have been ones to inspire some optimism. It is all too easy to “accentuate the negative” and lose sight of the positive in a world which often seems seriously “off- kilter”. One of the very heartening events of the past month has been the awarding of the Rene Savenye BC Nature Scholarship for $1,000 to Wade Van Herwaarden, a student from Kwalicum Secondary. The scholarship is given to a student pursuing studies “that contribute to awareness, appreciation and understanding of our natural environment”. Wade was presented with the award at our May General Meeting. Great Horned The field trips organized by Maggie Little Owl – Photos by and Penny Marshall have been outstanding, David Helem with the close-up sighting of a very young Great Horned Owl on the nest at Yellow Point Regional Park to the magnificent swathes of Blue Camas, Sea Blush and Yellow Monkey Flower (with some Chocolate Lilies, Naked Broom Rape AND Lotus Pinnatus thrown in for good measure) at Harewood Watchful parent. Plains in South Nanaimo. Many thanks to Charles Thirkill, the steward of the Harewood ecological reserve, for an excellent tour and talk. By the time you read of this, we will have completed another eagerly-awaited trip – the 2 Pub Walk at the Oyster River. Of course, the major attractions will be the birds, flowers,the marshes and sand dunes. The stewardship work at the Englishman River Estuary continues with the perpetual (it seems) campaign to eradicate the Scotch Broom and Japanese Knapweed. However, when we see less and less of those bright yellow blooms each year, we have to remain optimistic that in our corner of Nature the battle is being won. A recent alliance of BroomBusters, the Mt. Arrowsmith Biosphere, the Nature Trust and our group attacked a large bank of old-growth broom at the Estuary near the Surfside RV Park, with a large area cut to the ground. Well done, everyone. Our Club has voted to donate $300 to the Nature Trust toward their ongoing campaign to complete the purchase of Moorecroft. We are planning a public presentation to the Nature Trust, with the press in attendance, to both raise our profile somewhat and encourage others to contribute to the purchase. Hopefully, we can also encourage folks to come forward as volunteer park wardens to help preserve the features which make Moorecroft such a gem. At our recent General Meeting, the Club discussed the role of advocacy in our mandate “to know, enjoy and preserve Nature”. A description of what we do at present (letter writing, stewardship, etc.) was presented and the ensuing discussion explored whether we should continue at our present level of advocacy or become more actively engaged. Most members felt that there was some need to raise our profile in the Oceanside community 2 Arrowsmith Naturalists Newsletter Volume # 17 Issue Number 2 June 2011 http://www.arowsmithnats.org while others warned of the dangers of becoming too ambitious, given the limitations of a group with our demographic composition. The consensus seemed to indicate that we should maintain our present efforts while looking for opportunities to raise public awareness when opportunities arise. The discussion not only reiterated support for what we are doing presently but also underlined the value in providing a forum whereby each and every member of the Club feels that he or she has a voice. Thank you all for your contribution to this exchange of views. Plans are well underway in preparation for the BC Nature Fall General Meeting in 2012. As you know we are co- hosting this event with the Nanoose Naturalists at the Bayside Quality Inn, Parksville. Our initial meetings of the steering committee and the many volunteers who signed on to help have revealed much latent expertise and many good ideas for speakers, social activities and field trips. Much of the planning is in the formative stage at present but more firm decisions will be in place by the fall. Once again, the Arrowsmith Naturalists will be participating in Parksville’s KIDFEST on August 14th. Betty Collins and Robert Mercer have organized our participation in this delightful event for several years, and are hoping for others to step into their shoes this year. KIDFEST was almost cancelled this year for the lack of volunteers but was saved by some dedicated folks who did not want to see it disappear as an important kid and family-oriented summer activity. Volunteer work adds so much spirit and life to our communities but we cannot call upon the same folks year after year. Hopefully, this event is one that our group not only believes in but is willing to support with some very enjoyable volunteer time. Hope to see you there. It is really gratifying to see the level of membership in the Club remain fairly stable, while other groups experience a bit of a decline. And it is even more heartening to see that we have attracted several new and returning members over the past few months. To all you “newbies” and returnees, a big WELCOME. We encourage you to come out to a variety of Club activities and to offer your suggestions for making your Arrowsmith Naturalist experience an enjoyable one Dave Hutchings, President A “Rare” Opportunity Submitted by: Pam Helem An overcast sky did not dampen the enthusiasm of Our first views were waves of pink Sea Blush, Blue the large group, who had gathered at the trail head st White Crown to Harewood Plains on Saturday, May 21 . Even as we Sparrow were parking the cars, we glimpsed brilliant Yellow amongst Sea Monkeyflowers dotting the roadside bluffs. Twenty- Blush and Blue one Arrowsmith Naturalist’s joined a small group Camas from Nanaimo to meet Charles Thirkill, coordinator Photo by: Penny of Friends of Harewood Plains, and his wife, Ruth. Marshall After ensuring we had adequate footwear for the muddy conditions we might encounter along the trails, Charles guided us into an area of south Nanaimo, unknown to most of us, yet a stone’s throw away from the busy Parkway.

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