Vancouver Naturalist_Sept 2011.pdf - Nature Vancouver

Nature Vancouver Summer Picnic
at Lighthouse Park
by Nellie Bacou
July 10, 2011turned out to be a most wonderful day for our
planned Nature Vancouver picnic. It was a bright and pleasant
day and not a drop of rain. Thank you to all our Nature
Vancouver members and friends who participated in the day’s
events. One can organize an event but it is the participants who
bring energy and soul to it; and what a wonderful assortment of
food for everyone to enjoy!
Experience Africa!
Join Brian and Heather Hartwick
of Bowen Island, BC
on the nature trip of a lifetime, and
experience the excitement of Kenya.
Our trips are easy and affordable!
A special thank you to our hosts: The Phyl Munday Committee
represented by May Loudon; The Lighthouse Park Preservation
Society represented by Elspeth Bradbury; and Elaine Graham,
the Lighthouse Park Attendant who were all present for the
day. Our sincere appreciation to them for working with us and
allowing us the use of the Phyl Munday Hut for our picnic and
the starting point for our trail walks. For the enjoyment of our
members, they set up their eye-catching and informative display
of Lighthouse Park and brought along their scrapbook which
recounted the history of the Hut over the years.
It was welcoming and quite a surprise for us to see a fair number
of participants for the 8:00am intertidal exploration on the
rugged shoreline of Second Beach, a stone’s throw from the Phyl
Munday Hut. The morning low tides deemed it necessary to
schedule the exploration so early on a Sunday morning. Thank
You to the Marine Biology team which included Sheila Byers,
Abby Schwarz and Joan Lopez who were present to explain the
intertidal fauna and flora before the tide came back in. As it was
a clear day this location provided exceptional views of the
water, Stanley Park, Bowen Island and the Strait of Georgia.
The mid morning and afternoon trail walks were led by David
Cook, co-ordinator of the Botany Section, who was ever
enthusiastic to share the vast knowledge he has acquired over
the years from his association with Lighthouse Park. David led a
very informative geology walk in the morning. In the afternoon
he introduced our participants to the fragile remnant of the
old growth forest in Lighthouse Park along the Valley Trail.
He explained the ecology of this and other old growth forest
fragments and why some trees grow to this size. Thank you,
David, for two very exceptional trail walks from a member who
knows the area very well.
Imagine camping in the wilds of East Africa, enjoying
great meals and exciting wildlife viewing. Witness the
amazing diversity of the birds of Kenya. Take a nature
walk with the Maasai.
Let us help you to plan a special trip for your group.
The program could emphasize Birding around the Rift
Valley lakes or General Wildlife in Savanna areas or
Peoples, Cultures and Environments, even Geology or
Archaeology. You decide! We will plan it with you and
ensure the best trip for your group at a low price.
We have the staff, experience and equipment to make
it a safe and unforgettable nature trip. Visit the Special
Programs section at our website for information or
consider our Explorer and Family trips:
www.studyinafrica.ca
I hope everyone enjoyed the day! We welcome any ideas for
future outings. As well, we welcome volunteers who are willing
to organize some of these events.
Vancouver Naturalist September 2011 13