Naturalists set to meet Island forests

Images of the largest and most ancient trees on Vancouver Island and the campaign to protect them will be featured at the next free public meeting of the Cowichan Valley Naturalists.

This spectacular and informative slide show and talk by TJ Watt of the Ancient Forest Alliance will be at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 15, at the Freshwater EcoCentre in Duncan.

Vancouver Island’s remaining old-growth forests are important for wildlife, salmon, tourism, climate, recreation, and their spiritual value. The talk will explain the campaign to protect them while maintaining forestry jobs through a sustainable second-growth industry and ending the export of raw logs. Watt will describe and show images of both the ecology of these forests and the political and economic environment that threatens their survival.

Each month the Cowichan Valley Naturalists sponsor two free public presentations; an evening meeting on the third Tuesday and a morning “coffee house” on the first Monday. The next coffee house, at 9:30 on Monday, March 7, will feature a talk on habitat restoration by biologist Dave Polster. The March evening meeting will feature a talk on plant-pollinator interactions with biologists from SFU. It is also the annual general meeting of the Naturalists’ Society.

Members in the Cowichan Valley Naturalists participate in a program of outings, conservation activities, and citizen science. Membership in this friendly group is a fun way to learn about our wonderful natural environment and how to care for it. They also sponsor and support the Young Naturalists Club of the Cowichan Valley for children and their parents.

For more information about the Cowichan Valley Naturalists, the Young Naturalists Club, or other local conservation organizations, visit www.naturecowichan.net or call John at 250-746-6141.