Nature

Nectaring mosquito pollinating an oxeye daisy. (Contributed)

Okanagan Nature Nut: What good are mosquitos?

Vernon-based outdoor enthusiast reveals the secret lives of these tiny pollinators

 

The Morkin property in Southern Alberta. (Brent Calver/Nature Conservancy of Canada)

Fill your pack with snacks, scientists need to know how neat B.C. nature is

The BioBlitz, through the iNaturalist app, runs from July 28-Aug. 1

 

This long exposure image shows the eruption of volcano Sakurajima Sunday night, July 24, 2022, in the view from Tarumizu city, Japan’s southern prefecture of Kagoshima. Japan’s Meteorological Agency said a volcano on Japan’s southern main island of Kyushu erupted Sunday night, spewing ash and volcanic rocks, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries in nearby towns. (Kyodo News via AP)

Japan’s Sakurajima volcano erupts, triggering evacuation

No immediate reports of damage or injuries in nearby towns

 

Courtesy Photo, Public Health - Seattle & King County

Okanagan Nature Nut narrows in on bats

Bat season returns with a purpose

Courtesy Photo, Public Health - Seattle & King County
The Nature Trust of BC is looking to expand the protected area around the Keremeos Columns Provincial Park. (Nature Trust of B.C.)

Keremeos Columns protected area to grow ten-fold

The Nature Trust is adding 194 hectares of protection to the 20 hectare provincial park

The Nature Trust of BC is looking to expand the protected area around the Keremeos Columns Provincial Park. (Nature Trust of B.C.)
The Nature Trust of BC is looking to expand the protected area around the Keremeos Columns Provincial Park. (Nature Trust of B.C.)

Nature Trust aiming to expand in Keremeos and White Lake

Two purchases have been subject to recent fundraising

The Nature Trust of BC is looking to expand the protected area around the Keremeos Columns Provincial Park. (Nature Trust of B.C.)
A bee searches for pollen on a flower during a sunny spring day in Belgrade, Serbia, Friday, April 8, 2022. A study published in the journal Nature on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 says habitat loss from big agriculture and climate change are combining to threaten the world’s insects. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Climate change, big agriculture combine to threaten insects

Scientists have noticed dramatic drop in total bug numbers

A bee searches for pollen on a flower during a sunny spring day in Belgrade, Serbia, Friday, April 8, 2022. A study published in the journal Nature on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 says habitat loss from big agriculture and climate change are combining to threaten the world’s insects. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
The goal to create a protected eagle reserve at the French Creek estuary will become a reality. (Michael Briones photo)

$5M dream to create B.C. eagle sanctuary poised to become reality

Campaign to purchase estuary land reaches fundraising goal

The goal to create a protected eagle reserve at the French Creek estuary will become a reality. (Michael Briones photo)
Bighorn Sheep are blue-listed as an at risk species. (Submitted)

Nature Trust of B.C. buys 32 hectares of Bighorn Sheep land in Penticton

Skaha Lake Eastside property adds important habitat for foraging, lambing, and escaping predators.

Bighorn Sheep are blue-listed as an at risk species. (Submitted)
A new bridge is set to help connect Cawston and Keremeos along the Similkameen Trail. (Keremeos Review)

Similkameen Trail closer to connecting Cawston and Keremeos

A new bridge and property negotiations are still in the way

A new bridge is set to help connect Cawston and Keremeos along the Similkameen Trail. (Keremeos Review)
Meadowlark Nature Festival is the flagship event presented each year by the Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance (OSCA). (Photo courtesy of Meadowlark Nature Festival)

Meadowlark Nature Festival gearing up for return to the South Okanagan

The event’s coordinator says preparation for the May festival has been delayed

Meadowlark Nature Festival is the flagship event presented each year by the Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance (OSCA). (Photo courtesy of Meadowlark Nature Festival)
After a two-year hiatus, the Meadowland Nature Festival is returning to the South Okanagan. (Photo courtesy of Lee McFadyen)

Meadowlark Nature Festival returning to the South Okanagan May 2022

The festival has been on hiatus since 2019

After a two-year hiatus, the Meadowland Nature Festival is returning to the South Okanagan. (Photo courtesy of Lee McFadyen)
Puncturevine seedpod (OASISS/file)

Weeds to watch for in the Okanagan-Similkameen

Hoary Alyssum and Puncturevine are on the move in the RDOS

  • Sep 6, 2021
Puncturevine seedpod (OASISS/file)
(Lakes District News File Photo/Eddie Huband)

VIDEO: Fraser Valley pilot spots black bear from the air

Agassiz area pilot captures footage of a wandering black bear among the stalks of corn

(Lakes District News File Photo/Eddie Huband)
This year’s Western hemlock "looper" moth outbreak has been seen in the Lower Mainland and the Interior, including communities throughout the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. (Lorraine Maclauchlan photo)

Western Hemlock Looper Moths return for a third feast of B.C. foliage

Outbreaks of the moths occur every 11 to 15 years in Coastal and Interior forests

This year’s Western hemlock "looper" moth outbreak has been seen in the Lower Mainland and the Interior, including communities throughout the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. (Lorraine Maclauchlan photo)
A common wall lizard scrambles across a concrete wall in a Saanich yard. July 15, 2021 (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

VIDEO: Invasive lizard population runs, climbs and clings across Vancouver Island

Even record-breaking heat didn’t diminish European wall lizard population

A common wall lizard scrambles across a concrete wall in a Saanich yard. July 15, 2021 (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Wildflowers, rare grasslands and at-risk species are part of the rich landscape of the Park Rill Floodplain which is now part of the Nature Trust of B.C. in the South Okanagan. (Graham Osborne photo)

151 acres of biodiverse South Okanagan land donated to Nature Trust of BC

The land near Willowbrook is home to rare grasslands and at-risk animals

Wildflowers, rare grasslands and at-risk species are part of the rich landscape of the Park Rill Floodplain which is now part of the Nature Trust of B.C. in the South Okanagan. (Graham Osborne photo)
Wildflowers, rare grasslands and at risk species are part of the rich landscape of the Park Rill Floodplain which is now part of the Nature Trust of B.C. in the South Okanagan. (Graham Osborne photo)

151 acres of biodiverse South Okanagan land donated to Nature Trust of B.C.

The land near Willowbrook is home to rare grasslands and at-risk animals

Wildflowers, rare grasslands and at risk species are part of the rich landscape of the Park Rill Floodplain which is now part of the Nature Trust of B.C. in the South Okanagan. (Graham Osborne photo)
Yellow starthistle is one of the invasive species now found in the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys. Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society has been addressing ways to manage invasive plants and animals. The society began in 1996. (Contributed)

Society focuses on invasive plants and animals in Okanagan and Similkameen region

Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society was formed in 1996

Yellow starthistle is one of the invasive species now found in the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys. Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society has been addressing ways to manage invasive plants and animals. The society began in 1996. (Contributed)
Saturnina Island is situated off the east coast of Gabriola Island. (Google Maps image)

Island near Nanaimo preserved as park after $4M donation from Lululemon founder

Chip Wilson’s family’s foundation supports three land purchases in the Strait of Georgia

Saturnina Island is situated off the east coast of Gabriola Island. (Google Maps image)