Events Calendar

For Details on Events, email [email protected] Non-members and guests are welcome, but have to sign a waiver, and will be asked to join after two guest visits.

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APRIL 2025

• Thursday, Apr. 17 – Nature hike to cabin at Sproat Woodlands This is part of the trail unofficial trail network between the Ash Main logging road and the roads along Sproat Lake. It is a short hike is up to a cabin on a bluff overlooking Sproat Lake. The trail is steep as you get close to the top. We go down a different way. It is longer and is also very steep in a couple of spots. But generally there are gentle ups and downs. We start meet to carpool at 9:00 AM At Victoria Quay and will be back by noon.
• Saturday, Apr. 19 – Fund-raising Garage Sale. We have partnered with Transition Town for our own table at this event. We are asking the membership to either drop off items before 9:00AM or contact Gerald Cuccio (437 333-2497, [email protected]) who will pickup items the afternoon before the sale. Please attach a price on the item to cave us time.
• Saturday Apr. 26 -Morning of Birding Spring is an exciting time for birders. Witness all the new arrivals on the Somass Estuary. We will meet at 8:30 AM at Victoria Quay.
• Tuesday Apr. 28 -Travel to Oceanside for Traditional Plant Workshop This is part of the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region’s program of events. You must register ahead of time with them. Registration will be open by 11th April. Phone: (250) 594-0405. It will be held from 1:00PM to 2:00PM at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre. A carpool will leave at Noon from Victoria Quay.

MAY 2025

• Saturday 3 May – Search for Gary Oaks in the Maplehurst Forest Judy Carlson with lead us through the bush to the locations of several Gary Oaks. They are the only known trees of this species in the Alberni Valley. Meet at 9:00 AM at Victoria Quay to carpool.
• Thursday May 8 – Wildflower viewing at Devils Den Lake: The rocky outcrops around Devil’s Den Lake will be near the peak of their blooming period. A trail winds around the lake and a branch off it provides a wonderful view of Arrowsmith. Meet at 8:30 AM at Victoria Quay.
• Saturday May 10 -Broom-busting at Somass Estuary: This is becoming an annual event. Scotch Broom is a very persistent invasive plant that has invaded the Ducks Unlimited Property. We are partnering with Broombusters to remove what we can of the regrowth from last year. Bring your garden loppers and shears. We’ll meet at Victoria Quay at 9:00AM
• Tuesday May 13 -Club Meeting: (speaker to be announced) We have a possibility to have someone from Ocean Networks Canada speak. We meet at 7:00PM at the Christian Reformed Church.
• Thursday, May 22 -Turtle observation at Turtle Lake: We will combine combine searching for endangered Western Painted Turtles with a little botanizing. There’ll be lots of walking along logging roads and a little across young plantations to the lake. Meet at Victoria Quay to carpool. The road in has many potholes.
• Saturday Birding – dates and locations to be announced.

June 2025

• Saturday, June 14th -Hike Around Labour Day Lake: It’s an hour drive on a logging road to the trailhead around this lake. Of course the road is bumpy, but it is a two-wheel drive road. The 4.5 km trail has ups and downs but is generally easy. Bring a lunch and water, and dress for the weather. It may be cooler at 900m. Meet at Victoria Quay at 9:00 AM.

July 2025

• July 19 -Visit to Sutton Pass Ecological Reserve to see the Northern Adder’s Tongue Fern