Talks & Walks
Conservation Talks
Celebrate Earth Day with Julie Johnston & Dr Peter Carter
Whacky Weather, Food Fragility and Compassionate Climate
Join Pender Island teacher Julie Johnston (trained with Al Gore and the Climate Reality Leadertship Corps last summer) as she presents Mr Gore's 50 minute slide show to us on Earth Day, with discussion to follow. In this slideshow Al Gore provides evidence that the pace of climate change may be even worse than scientists recently predicted. He challenges us to act.
Julie will be joined by her husband, Dr Peter Carter, a retired physician who has studied and synthesized climate change research for over 20 years
Thursday November 8th - Caring for the Western Purple Martins presented by Herbie & Bernard Rochet - 7:30 at the Community Centre
Western Purple Martins almost disappeared from the south coast of British Columbia 
due to losses to their preferred breeding habitat (cavities in trees) as well as competition from introduced bird species such as starlings and house sparrows. The Western Purple Martin Stewardship program was launched to try to restore and increase the breeding populations of these magnificent birds. On Mayne Island Herbie and Bernard Rochet took up the challenge in 2005 establishing artificial nest boxes in Miners Bay and Bennett Bay. As a result of their hard work, creativity and years of dedication the martins have been breeding successfully at both sites.
Come and hear about the pleasures, triumphs and sometimes the diappointments in their seven year long struggle to provide a bridgehead for this unique regional species.
Listen to the story but also think how you might help the Conservancy assume this important work, as it may be many more seasons before the population can become self-sustaining. Above all come and thank the Rochets for their remarkable work of passion and dedication in saving these birds for future generations to enjoy.
Saturday November 3rd - Mushrooms of British Columbia with Simon Chornick - 2:00 to 4:00 at the Ag Hall
Subtitled "From the Field to the Forest" this combined talk and workshop will review the most common West Coast fungi and some of those that are not so common. Get answers to the question "Edible or not?" and if you have examples do bring them along for identification.
Simon Chornick works for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans but in his other life Simon is a vocalist and mandolin player with the Mission based group Random Dander, but more importantly from our point of view he is an accomplished photographer, particularly in the field of mushrooms & other fungi. His mycologia appear in many internet-based reference works and he hunts, paints, grows and eats mushrooms.
Happily sharing his expertise, Simon styles himself as the Fungi Ambassador
Saturday October 13 2012 - Blue Carbon, Climate and the Oceans: The Role of Nature in Regulating Climate - 7:30 pm at the Community Centre
Presented by Colin Campbell, Marine Campaign Coordinator for the Sierra Club of B.C.
Carbon stored in the natural sinks of coastal oceans is secure for millennia, and the conservation and restoration of the associated ecosystems could account for up to 10% of the emissions challenge
Dr Colin Campbell was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia where he trained in Zoology and Palaeontology, spending the late 60's and early 70's at the University of California Berkeley, acquiring his PhD. While there his environmental concerns were focussed by an academic fascination with extinction processes.
He spent the 90's at the Australian National University working with an international climate change and sea level research program in Australia, Papua New Guinea and China and worked on the identification of environmental change following the arrival of humans in Australia and the central Pacific.
He studied environmental law for two years at the Australian National University before returning to Canada in 1998, living on the Sunshine Coast, becoming the Forest Caucus Coordinator for the BC Environmental Network from 2000-2003.
In 2004 Colin was elected Chair of the Executive Committee of the Sierra Club of BC and later became, and still is, the Marine Campaign Coordinator at Sierra Club of BC. He is also Science Advisor to the Sierra Club of BC. Presently, his time is occupied with climate change outreach on behalf of the Sierra Club and climate change issues in the context of Marine Use Planning.
Anyone who missed the talk or wishes to revisit some of the challenging facts served up during this absorbing evening the slideshow and notes are now available on line here. We thank Colin Campbell & the Sierra Club of BC for granting permission and providing supplementary suggestions for text and links.
Workshops
Live Staking Workshop 10:00 - 1:00 pm Friday March 15th
This is a free workshop to teach the plant propagation method of live staking. This method involves taking hardwood cuttings and sticking them directly on-site. This workshop will have a strong hands-on focus as we will be performing a large live-staking project as a group during the workshop. The plant species we will be using is pink spiraea.
We will meet at 10am at 270 Georgina Point Rd. The workshop will run for approximately 2-3 hours. We will supply gloves and tools but please make sure to bring footwear and clothing suitable to the weather as we will be outside the entire time.
Please let me know if you plan to attend so I can make sure to have the right amount of tools and information handouts.
Saturday March 2nd 2013, 1:00-4:00 pm Ag Hall - Coastal Communities: Adapting to Climate Change & Rising Sea Levels
Presented by Grant Lamont P.Eng
Grant is a senior coastal and metocean engineer with SNC-Lavalin who has worked on projects ranging from large harbour developments to small shoreline restorations. His experience includes construction supervision, managing field data collections, and the application of both physical and numerical models. His physical modelling work includes ship motion studies, breakwater stability, shoreline revetments, and sediment transport modelling.
Mr. Lamont has been involved in projects in Canada, USA (Washington, Oregon, New York, Louisiana, Michigan), Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Peru, Panama, Australia, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Madagascar, and Sri Lanka. He will discuss innovative approaches to adapting to sea level rise that work with nature.
An update on MICS shoreline work and a short field trip to Miners Bay beach will round off the workshop.
Tickets at the door: $10.00 includes refreshments - Please RSVP Email: lboyer@shaw.ca Phone:250-539-5168
Saturday February 23rd 2013, 12:00-3:00 pm Mayne School - Mason Bee Talk & Box Building Workshop
The Conservancy hosts Gord Hutchings who will be giving a talk on native bees, and a box making workshop. Box making will involve the construction of 3-tiered condos for native cavity-nesting bees. Gord is an entomologist who has been studying insects for several decades, and is a recognized expert on native pollinators. He has given numerous workshops on this topic and is dedicated to spreading education about our native bees, their habitat needs, and their importance in matters of food security.
The workshop will begin at 12:00 pm at the Mayne School, with an hour talk followed by a half hour lunch break (a light lunch will be provided). After lunch, box building will begin and will go to around 3:30pm. The cost will be $20 to cover material expenses and food. Please RSVP for this event either by email or phone 250-539-5168. Book early - space may be limited!
Saturday April 28 - Edible Spring: a Native Plant Walk and Workshop with Jenna Rudolph - 11am to 3 pm at Hatake
Come for an instructive walk followed by a wild, harvested salad and learn how to make a medicinal vinegar. We will learn the edible, medicinal and traditional uses of the plants, techniques for identification and how to recognize different families. What plant can you use if you get stung by a bee? What is our local source of Vitamin C? What local plant makes the strongest fiber?
Pre-registration is requested due to limited space - Call 250-539-5168 - $10.00
Hatake can be found at 622 Gallagher Bay Road
Bring a sandwich to accompany the wild salad and a quart jar for your medicinal vinegar. For information on Jenna and her work check out her Eagle Awareness site
Saturday March 24 2012 - Invasive Plant Management - 3:30pm to 5pm at the Ag Hall
The Conservancy will be hosting this workshop at the Agricultural Hall. It is being offered as a follow-up to the presentation by Jennifer Grenz from the Invasive Plant Council of Metro Vancouver a few weeks ago. The upcoming workshop will focus specifically on methods for identifying and managing invasive species present on Mayne Island..
We will have samples on hand to demonstrate identification characteristics and proper cutting techniques. We will describe best known practices for each species including long term management, preventing re-introduction, and when herbicide is an appropriate tool to use. The key to managing invasive plant species is learning about how each species grows and reproduces, and using that knowledge to identify efficient methods for management.
We will be focusing on Daphne, Ivy, Holly, Scotch Broom, Periwinkle, St. John's Wort, Blackberry, Bull Thistle, and Giant Hogweed. Please bring a notebook and pen/pencil. A digital camera may also be useful for remembering how to identify the different species.
Native Plant Propagation Workshop Report
On Saturday, February 11th, 2012 the Mayne Island Conservancy Society hosted 24 community members for an afternoon of hands on learning. Workshop participants worked their way through five stations covering native plant propagation by a variety of techniques including starting seeds, taking cuttings, and making moss slurry. Everyone had a great time and gained a lot of knowledge with presenters and participants learning from each other and sharing stories of success, failure, and hope. Each participant left with their own native plant cuttings and seeds. The event would not have been possible without the generous donation of time and expertise from the station leaders: Michael Dunn, Helen O’Brian, Trish Hoff, and Lauren Hobson.
We hope that native plant gardening continues to gain popularity within the community, and that community members continue to share the stories of success (and failure) of their propagation adventures. If you missed or could not attend the event but would like to learn more about gardening with native plants please let the conservancy know and they just might organize another workshop!
Toby Snelgrove was on hand, and took some pictures:
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| MICS staff member Rob Underhill shows workshop participants arbutus seeds that germinated after spending 43 days in the fridge; an example of artificial cold stratification | Station leader Trish Hoff demonstrates the art of making moss slurry while in the background Michael Dunn shows how easy it is to propagate broad leaved stone-crop from cutting. | More moss madness, these diminutive organisms are fascinating once you get to know them! |
For more shots of this event go to Toby's SmugMug site
Here are the resource materials (.pdf format) for each station:
Special Thursday Night Presentations in the Mary Jeffery Resource Room, 478 Village Bay Road
Salmon Confidential is a new film on the inaction of authorities to get to the bottom of what is killing BC’s wild salmon. When biologist Alexandra Morton discovers BC’s wild salmon are testing positive for dangerous European salmon viruses associated with salmon farming worldwide, a chain of events is set off to suppress the findings. Tracking viruses, Morton moves from courtrooms, into British Columbia’s most remote rivers, Vancouver grocery stores and sushi restaurants. The film documents Morton’s journey as she attempts to overcome multiple roadblocks thrown in her path and works to bring critical information to the public in time to save BC’s wild salmon.
A film by Twyla Roscovich - Produced by Salmon Are Sacred - Admission by Donation
We are located upstairs in the Root Seller. This will be the first movie night in our Mary Jeffery Resource Room!
Movie Nights
Come to the Ag Hall on a Saturday evening for a private showing of conservation-themed movies. Sometimes the evening is hosted and lively question and answer sessions ensue.
Admission is free and your donation gets you popcorn and occasionally other refreshments.
Movies are at the Ag Hall and start at 7:30 pm
Movies for 2012 - 2013
Sunday March 10th, 2013 Vanishing of the Bees
Vanishing of the Bees follows commercial beekeepers David Hackenberg and Dave Mendes as they strive to keep their bees healthy and fulfill pollination contracts across the U.S. The film explores the struggles they face as the two friends plead their case on Capital Hill and travel across the Pacific Ocean in the quest to protect their honeybees.
- “The most important documentary film since An Inconvenient Truth.” - Filmstar
- “Be advised, this is more than a documentary” - The Independent
- “Alarming enough to convince you that this is an issue that needs action at the highest level.” - The Daily Express
- “This Bee Movie has a real sting.” - The Times
More at http://www.vanishingbees.com/
Saturday January 26th, 2013 Family Movie Morning
The Conservancy is presenting a family movie morning with Bill Maylone who, in 1990 made six short multiple-award winning films for the National Film Board targeted for primary and intermediate students.
The films are without dialogue and use lots of very interesting special effects. The series, called "Look Again", encourages viewers to explore, wonder, imagine, question and look again. As the two children in the films investigate a variety of natural phenomena - the seasons, physical laws such as gravity, familiar creatures, night, structures and their functions and ecological relationships - the viewers, both young and older, are invited to look more carefully and appreciate the fascinating complexity of their environment. Bill will be present to introduce and talk about the films, show lots of behind the scenes slides, discuss how some of the unusual 
shots and special effects were done, and encourage participation. Do come, with or without family, and celebrate the work (that many of us don't know) of the MayneLiner editor.
Toby Snelgrove's picture of audience members getting up close & personal with a poseable dinosaur model, supervised by Bill.
November 30, 2012 The Whale
Friendship is bigger than we know.
This documentary tells the beautiful story of Luna, an orca who wandered away from his family and into the hearts of people around the world. This visually striking film highlights the connection that Luna forged with everyone he met in Nootka Sound, Canada.
Narrated by Ryan Reynolds
January 21st, 2012 Force of Nature- Introduced by Peter Robinson
David Suzuki, iconic Canadian scientist, educator, broadcaster and activist delivers a 'last lecture' -- what he describes as "a distillation of my life and thoughts, my legacy, what I want to say before I die".
Filmed before a live audience, in front of a memory box of moving, distilled images, he articulates a core, urgent message: we have exhausted the limits of the biosphere and it is imperative that we re-think our relationship with the natural world. Suzuki looks unflinchingly at the strains on our interconnected web of life -- and out of our dire present circumstances, he offers up a blueprint for sustainability and survival.
The film interweaves the lecture with scenes from the places and events in Suzuki's life. As such, the film is a biography of ideas -- forged by the major social, scientific, cultural and political events of the past 70 years.
Movies are at the Ag Hall and start at 7:30 pm
Field Trips
Astronomy in the Park
Saturday August 11th 8:30 - Mayne School Grounds N.B Venue change!)
Join Bruce Lane, @quarky_hiker) for an introductory lecture in the Gazebo, followed by the guided viewing of the night sky through a telecope or two
If you own a telescope bring it along, together with blankets, tea and any other sustenance that you might need. Please, red filtered flashlights only during the observing session
Bruce is the resident amateur astronomer and nature enthusiast at QuarkyScience.ca He is a member of the Victoria chapter of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada and enjoys introducing the public to sky watching at star parties and special events. Bruce is also an avid hiker and photographer
Oceans Day 2012 on Mayne
Sunday June 3 - at Miners Bay
Local tide conditions indicate that we do Ocean's Day here according to our schedule, and June 3 is it this year. The theme of World Ocean's Day on June 8th this year is "Youth: the Next Wave for Change." Children of all ages and interested adults are welcome join us from mid morning to early afternoon.
Each station will run at set times but may change depending on numbers of folks attending etc. Meet at the gazebo in Miners Bay Community Park.
If we have large numbers we will do the first two as rotations where half the folks go with Leanna out on the dock and the other half go with Michael, and then round switch at about 1130. The beach seine will be done for all at or near to the time set.
An article about Oceans Day on Mayne by Jessica Easton, with some of Toby Snelgrove's photos appears in the June issue of Aqua - find it here & scroll to page 38 et seq.
Saturday December 3rd, Church House 10:00 am - Know Your Winter Birds
Join Michael Dunn at the Church House, December 3, 2011 for a fun and hands-on workshop on identifying birds. This session will focus on those bird species that winter on Mayne, and around Mayne Island. Michael will provide participants with the basic skills and techniques for improving observations of birds and increasing abilities to identify them. The workshop will be part indoors and part outdoors so please bring appropriate outdoor clothing. Session starts at 10:00 am and will end around 1:00 pm. Also please bring your most used bird identification guide, paper and pens. Contact Michael if you have any further questions at 250-539-5745.
Winter Dird ID attendees in the field on Miners Bay
Photo credit: Michael DunnSome of the attendee's at Michael's presentation and many of those on the foray to Miners Bay were observers in the Active Pass IBA Project.
More information about this project and its 2010 annual report, complete comprehensive tables of observations can be found on the project page.
Young Naturalists Club, coming soon to Mayne Island
With such a rich natural environment all around us MICS will be kick-starting 2012 with the inauguration of the Mayne Island Young Naturalists’ Club.
The Young Naturalists’ Club of British Columbia is a province wide nature discovery and environmental action program for kids 5 to 14, (but we’re prepared to include pre-schoolers!) Young Naturalists discover nature in their local area, explore local ecosystems, learn about native wildlife and plants and take part in environmental actions to protect their habitat. This is a family club, not a drop-off, so the young participants must have an older family member or friend accompany them. It promises to be fun and informative for all ages.
On Friday January 13, 2012, Michael Dunn and Helen O’Brian will lead the inaugural Explorer Day from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm
Who’s Awake in the Forest? Just when we think the forest is asleep for the winter this exploration will lead us to the discovery of critters, both small and large, that are very much awake as well as some that have slowed right down.
Bring a lunch and dress for the weather of the day. We’ll meet at the gazebo in Miner’s Bay Park and carpool from there.
If you have any questions please call Michael at 5745 or Helen at 5619
More Pictures
Andy Mckinnon Talks & Walks
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Field Trippers Walk & Listen
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Attention Focused on a Fun Guy
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Doug Biffard Leads a Beach Party!
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They're about THIS size - bit smaller?
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For a record of Talks & Walks events from last year please visit our
Programme Archive page
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