Tag Archives: Maurelle Island

History

At the Cortes Island Museum: Fossils Left by the Last Glacial Age

The story of fossils left during the last glacial period is currently on display at the Cortes Island Museum. They are Buchia mussels, Belemnites, and Ammonites—creatures that lived in the Chilcotin region at the same time as the dinosaurs. The rocks containing their fossils were relatively undisturbed for nearly 130 million years. Then, during the last glaciation period, fragments broke off and were carried to Cortes, Read, Sonora, and other Discovery Islands.

In this morning’s interview, Christian Gronau, a retired geologist and Cortes Island resident, tells their story.

Continue reading At the Cortes Island Museum: Fossils Left by the Last Glacial Age →
Politics

Area C Director’s Report: recycle depot opening, Strathcona Gardens Service advocacy + MORE

From the desk of Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney

Hello,
The buzz of bees in blooms has been welcome and the buzz around the community is increasing as spring days warm and lengthen. This report shares news about Quadra’s recycle depot (it’s opening May 30!), ongoing advocacy re: Strathcona Gardens assent vote, and Board support for investigating a First Responder Service for the Outer Discovery Islands.

Continue reading Area C Director’s Report: recycle depot opening, Strathcona Gardens Service advocacy + MORE →
Animals

The Call That Changed Everything: Western Screech Owls Return to Cortes Island

Originally published, as part 7 of the Cortes Island Resonance series by the Cortes Community Radio Society.

“The only word I can find to describe that feeling… is gobsmacked,” exclaimed field biologist Sabina Leader Mense. 

She was referring to the moment she heard a Western Screech Owl respond during a call playback survey near Bullock Bluff on Cortes Island. It was nearly midnight, the final station of the night, and her team had conducted over a hundred surveys without a single response. This owl’s call — unmistakable and repeated 12 times — marked the first confirmed sighting since 2017.

Continue reading The Call That Changed Everything: Western Screech Owls Return to Cortes Island →
Animals

Earthday & the New Exhibits at Wild Cortes

2 Comments

It was Earth Day at Wild Cortes, Cortes Island’s centre for natural history, community science and collaborative conservation.

“It is a very exciting place to be, with new displays coming in every year, always on Earth Day. That’s probably the most important thing to say. It’s Earth Day, so let’s celebrate,” explained Sabina leader Mense, a professional advisor to Wild Cortes. 

The centrepiece of this year’s displays is the ‘Humpback Comeback’ section highlighting the stunning recovery of Humpback Whales in our local waters. 

Continue reading Earthday & the New Exhibits at Wild Cortes →
Development

Area C Taxpayers Resistant to paying for Strathcona Gardens Re-Development

2 Comments

Campbell River’s Strathcona Gardens is in the midst of re-development. Following a successful Alternative Approval Process (APP) in Campbell River and Area D, whose residents use this complex, in 2023 the Board authorized borrowing up to $64.6 million for this project. Crews are currently building the foundations. 

The SRD is exploring the possibility of using Area C property tax dollars to support this complex, but has not yet decided upon a course of action. This sparked a great deal of resistance from Area C residents who do not want to see their property taxes increased to pay for a ‘Campbell River’ project. 

Continue reading Area C Taxpayers Resistant to paying for Strathcona Gardens Re-Development →