Lecture: In Nature�s Realm, Early Naturalists Explore Vancouver Island

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Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019
7:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Michael Layland presents “In Nature’s Realm,” an illustrated lecture based on his recently released book of the same name, at 7 pm on Tuesday, December 3rd in the Courtenay and District Museum.

“In Nature’s Realm” is a celebration of the richly diverse flora and fauna of Vancouver Island as explored through the records of settlers, explorers and visitors, and with due respect to the wealth of Indigenous traditional knowledge of the island’s ecosystems.

This companion volume is the third in Layland’s award-nominated series on the history of European discovery of Vancouver Island, which also includes “The Land of Heart’s Delight” and “A Perfect Eden.”

“In Nature’s Realm” gathers initial reports, recorded histories, and personal accounts left by Vancouver Island’s early naturalists who studied the region’s flora and fauna.

Accounts are taken from naturalists such as Archibald Menzies—who accompanied English and Spanish explorers investigating the coastal geography for colonial expansion—and doctor-naturalists such as John Scouler, David Douglas, and Robert Brown, who worked with the Hudson’s Bay Company and collected specimens.

Layland also features the works of botanical artists Sarah Lindley (Lady Crease) and Emily Henrietta Woods.

Copies of Layland’s books will be available for purchase ($40 each plus tax) and signing after the talk.

Michael Layland has served as president of the Victoria Historical Society, the Friends of the BC Archives, and on the committee of the Historical Map Society of BC. He was trained as an officer and mapmaker in the Royal Engineers. He lives in Victoria, BC.

Admission to the evening is $5 per Historical Society member; $6 non-members (plus GST). Advance tickets are strongly recommended. FMI: 250-334-0686 ext. 2.

This presentation is made possible with financial assistance from The Canada Council for the Arts through The Writers’ Union of Canada.