Comox Valley Nature Hosts �MARS Is Spreading Its Wings�

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Sunday, November 20th, 2016
7:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Comox Valley Nature would like to introduce Pearl McKenzie who spent most of her working life as a community law office worker and human rights advocate, focusing on law reform activities before retirement. Pearl has lived in the Comox Valley since 1997 and has been a board member of Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society (MARS) for more than 10 years, most recently Vice-President.

For more than 20 years, MARS has provided wildlife rehabilitation to the northern half of Vancouver Island, sharing what they learn from doing this work through their outreach educational activities. Their caseload has almost doubled in the past few years and, because there is no room to expand at their current location, MARS has purchased land and is building a new wildlife hospital. The new property will also allow MARS to build a ‘first ever’ home for their Education Program and to welcome visitors to their facility. Their new visitor complex will consist of an interpretive building for displays and learning activities; an aviary for their educational birds, a flight pen and wetlands. The Interpretive Building will provide space for other environmental organizations in the area to put up displays, make presentations, use the meeting room and contribute items for sale in the gift shop.

This presentation will briefly summarize the history of MARS, offer examples of our wildlife caseload and provide information about their new development. One or two of their Ambassador (educational) Birds and their Handlers will join us for a brief discussion about how the birds came to work for MARS. This lecture, entitled: “MARS Is Spreading Its Wings” will take place at the Florence Filberg Seniors Centre at 7 pm (sharp) November 20, 2016. Comox Valley Nature is a non-profit society affiliated to BC Nature consisting only of unpaid volunteers. CVN fulfills its educational mandate by hosting monthly lectures, organizing free weekly-guided hikes for members, and a free monthly walk open to the public. The society also undertakes a variety of environmental projects. Aside from its main activity as a non-profit, CVN also supports specialized groups (Birding, Botany, etc.) all of which have separate monthly activities.

Membership in BC Nature and Comox Valley Nature is $30 per adult and $40 for a family. Founded in 1966, it is one of the oldest environmental societies on the North Island. Meetings and lectures of CVN are held on the third Sunday of most months at the Florence Filberg Centre, 411 Anderton Avenue, Courtenay. Meetings and guided walks are open to the public, including children and youth.

Lecture is free, though a $4 contribution from non-members is appreciated.

New memberships are always welcomed. Information can be found at http://comoxvalleynaturalist.bc.ca/.