by Lois Bridger, 22 Nov 2018. Andrew provided a humorous look at the hands-on, and sometimes very labour-intensive methods needed to reintroduce a species.   The Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) is one of only four species officially listed as “endangered” or “threatened” under the BC Wildlife Act.  They were considered “extirpated” from the province by the late 1970s. … Continue reading Andrew Bryant – “The operation was successful (sort of): reintroducing Burrowing Owls, 1989-90”

by Andrew Bryant, 2 Nov 2018. Jackie Hildering (aka “the Marine Detective“) of the Marine Education and Research Society packed the Senior’s Centre with her dynamic talk about orcas, and how they’ve changed us. With a mixture of history, science and irony, Jackie delivered a powerful talk indeed. I was astounded to learn, for example, … Continue reading Jackie Hildering – “Lessons learned from killer whales”

by Andrew Bryant, 18 Oct 2018. Heather unfortunately couldn’t make it – but Barbara stepped up and gave a marvellous account of their epic trip to Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T. via the Dempster Highway. What an adventure!  Barbara was funny, informative, and vivid.  I can only imagine what it would be like to encounter a “road closed” … Continue reading Heather Harbord & Barbara Sherriff – “Heather and Barbara’s Trip to Tuktoyuktut”

by Andrew Bryant, 20 Sept 2018. We tried something a bit different for our AGM this year.  Rather than kick off the new Malanat-year by bringing in an outside speaker, we thought we’d take the opportuity to reflect on the year that’s been – and what a year it was! There were a total of 16 … Continue reading the Club – “Highlights of 2017-18”

by Nancy Pezel, 7 June 2018. Pat’s interest in marine dinosaurs was sparked when his brother Mike (and 12 year-old daughter Heather) discovered a near complete skeleton of an 80 million year old long-necked plesiosaur.  It’s called Elasmosaurus. The new specimen made a big splash in scientific circles.  Just as it no doubt did in … Continue reading Pat Trask – “Dinosaurs of Vancouver Island”

by Andrew Bryant, 17 May 2018. After 36 years with Fisheries and Oceans Canada…well the word “retired” doesn’t seem to describe Rick very well at all! Author of numerous books including  Shells and Shellfish of the Pacific Northwest,  Whales to Whelks and Nudibranchs of the Pacific Northwest, Rick also served as a member of the … Continue reading Rick Harbo – “Tails of the midshipman”

by Michael Stewart, 19 Apr 2018. Donna Moseanko of “Wildwood Queens” gave a fascinating talk on the life of bees and their importance in our ecosystems. Donna became interested in bees after being mesmerized by a swarm at her bee keeping father’s home. After learning about keeping bees from him and then other beekeepers, she … Continue reading Donna Moseanko – “Wildwood Queens”

by Andrew Bryant, 15 Mar 2018. Life-long naturalist, tropical specialist, guide, politician, broadcaster and raconteur, George Sirk is one of those rare individuals who’s just really hard to classify. Getting his start as a BC Parks Branch naturalist on Mitlenatch Island, George’s career has taken him from Papua New Guinea to Costa Rica, and from Baja California … Continue reading George Sirk – “The Raw, the Bleak and the Wonderful…the Vibrant Arctic”

by Andrew Bryant, 22 Feb 2018. A scheduled speaker’s non-appearance threatened doom – until quick-witted Heather Harbord decided to take us all out instead – to Antarctica! So.  After a short pause, all went swimmingly well.  Penguins, orcas,  ice.  More penguins, more ice, and then, alas… the dreaded technical glitch… So we only got to see … Continue reading Heather Harbord – “Epic Antarctica”

by Andrew Bryant, 25 Jan 2018. Mark Sloan now works as  a “First Nations Relations Advisor” for the BC Government, but once upon a time he spent his days (and nights) capturing Marbled Murrelets at sea – for science! These delightful robin-sized seabirds are noteworthy for a bunch or reasons.  Most of their population is … Continue reading Mark Sloan – “What can stable isotopes tell us about the decline of Marbled Murrelets?”

by Andrew Bryant, 18 Jan 2018. Pamela Zevit works for the South Coast Conservation Program (SCCP).  Together with her colleage Tamsin Baker, Pamela came to speak to us about one of their latest initiatives – diversity by design. In a phrase, “diversity by design” refers to habitat restoration – and just like ecosystems, things quickly become … Continue reading Pamela Zevit – “Diversity by Design”

by Andrew Bryant, 23 Nov 2017. Duane came up from Sechelt to talk about wildflowers and other plants – some you can eat, and some you definitately should not! He’s an accomplished photographer, naturalist and author of an impressive number of natural history guides.  These include titles such as Common Wildflowers of BC, Trees of the … Continue reading Duane Sept – “Wildflowers and edible plants of BC”

by Heather Harbord, 19 Oct 2017. Our very own Dr. Andrew Bryant came to tell a story – or more accurately, a whole bunch of stories – about his work with endangered species. In “Follow the money”, newly-graduated Andrew does just that.  He passed up a low-paying “dream job”, instead becoming a park naturalist, answering damn fool questions from … Continue reading Andrew Bryant – “Sidehill gougers & sea monsters: one biologist’s journey”

by Andrew Bryant, 12 Oct 2017. Frank Ritcey grew up in the wilds of Wells Grey Provincial Park, and now divides his time between serving as Provincial Coordinator for WildSafe BC, host for CBC-Radio, and hunting wild creatures with camera. He returned to Powell River to share more of his wonderful images and stories.  This time … Continue reading Frank Ritcey – “What’s the connection? How to stay safe while figuring it out”

by Andrew Bryant, 14 Sept 2017. Alison Bird works as Earthquake Seismologist for Natural Resources Canada, and is based in Saanich.  Our club, in partnership with the Powell River Regional Emergency Program (PRREP), invited her to come talk to us about her area of expertise – earthquakes – and she graciously obliged. Beginning with the … Continue reading Alison Bird – “Earthquakes of Coastal BC”

by Andrew Bryant, 22 June 2017. Intrepid hiker, geologist, and Club President Tom Kolesar took us on a vicarious exploration of the high alpine in our own backyard – and what a fine view it was!  Using images spanning years and multiple adventures, Tom shared his experiences on many of our local mountains. He structured … Continue reading Tom Koleszar – “Hidden treasure in the attic: our local alpine”

by Andrew Bryant, 12 May 2017. The mission of the Invasive Species Council of BC is to provide information, and resources, to combat the many threats posed by exotic plants and animals.  Don Hare is their Executive Director, and travelled to Powell River to speak mostly about invasive plants specific to our area. Many are aware of … Continue reading Don Hare – “Invasive Plants”

by Andrew Bryant, 20 April 2017. Jessica Baynton has one of those weird and wonderful jobs that us mere mortals can only marvel at.  As a biologist employed by The Raptors, she spends her days flying various birds-of-prey.  Yes, you read that correctly. Using gloves, twine, whistles, radios, and traditional skills from the age-old practice of falconry, … Continue reading Jessica Baynton – “Island Raptors: the science and art of falconry”

by Andrew Bryant, 18 March 2017. Dr. Richard Dewey is Associate Director and head of research at Ocean Networks Canada, based at the University of Victoria.   He’s conducted oceanographic research throughout the Pacific from Japan to California, and along the B.C., Alaskan, and Arctic coasts. Long-time sailer and resident of the Pacific Northwest, he’s particularly interested … Continue reading Richard Dewey – “Tides, currents, and sailing the coastal waters of BC”

by Andrew Bryant, 19 January 2017. Noted amphibiographers Terry Brown and Jude Abrams travelled all the way from Okeover Inlet to speak about some creatures we hold dear, those whopping big humpback whales – and the herring, anchovies and krill that whales (and many others) depend upon. Using videos, sound clips and stories, Terry and … Continue reading Terry Brown & Jude Abrams – “Whopping whales and wee fish”

by Andrew Bryant, 17 November 2016. Long-time club member, professional forester, and die-hard birder, Neil entertained us last year with his talk about spring migration in the eastern Mediterranean.  Although he’s moved away from Powell River and now calls Victoria home, Neil made a special trip back to share his latest amazing adventure – to Ethiopia! … Continue reading Neil Hughes – “Ethiopia: a birding extravaganza”

by Andrew Bryant, 20 October 2016. Having previously worked on geese in Ontario, caribou in Spatzisi, and the moose and wolves of Isle Royale, Dr. Rick Page recently visited to share his considerable knowledge and experience of “urban deer“. Deer are are beautiful and impressive creatures, but bring problems to the urban landscape.  Without natural predators … Continue reading Rick Page – “Urban deer: they’re here to stay”

by Andrew Bryant, 15 September 2016. Frank Ritcey  was raised in the wilds of Wells Gray Provincial Park, and like his parents became a lifelong naturalist and conservationist. He works for WildSafe BC, is heavily involved with the Kamloops Naturalists Club, and spends much of his time filming, teaching and guiding. Frank began with a beautiful film of grassland … Continue reading Frank Ritcey – “Staying safe on both sides of the glass”

by Andrew Bryant, 4 June 2016. Rick Harbo worked as a habitat protection biologist with Fisheries and Oceans Canada for over 35 years, and while “retired”, is presently an active Research Associate with the Royal BC Provincial Museum.   Rick is also an accomplished photographer and author of numerous books, including the acclaimed field guides Tidepool and … Continue reading Rick Harbo – “Marine Life of the Strait of Georgia: past, present and future”

by Andrew Bryant, 5 May 2016.   Judith Williams is an artist, art historian, and Assistant Professor Emeritus at University of British Columbia.  She’s also author of the highly acclaimed “Clam Gardens: Aboriginal Mariculture on Canada’s West Coast“, and recently visited us to speak about that subject. And what a subject it is.  Beginning with her first … Continue reading Judith Williams – “Clam Gardens: Aboriginal Mariculture on Canada’s West Coast”

by Andrew Bryant, 21 April 2016.  Rand Rudland, MD,  is just one of those people who’s hard to pin down. Physician to high arctic communities, whitewater rafting guide, globetrotting birder, Antarctic explorer, and Director of the Sunshine Coast Natural History Society,  Rand visited Powell River to speak about his recent travels in Melanesia. As Ship’s Physician aboard … Continue reading Rand Rudland – “Melanesian marvels”

by Andrew Bryant, 17 March 2016 Dr. Art Martell worked for decades as a research scientist with the Canadian Wildlife Service, publishing numerous papers on caribou, small mammals, ticks, birds and other creatures. Now retired to the Comox Valley, Art visited us to provide an introduction to the diversity and characteristics of gulls found in the … Continue reading Art Martell – “An Abundance of Gulls”

by Andrew Bryant, 21 February 2016 Dwight Owens works for Ocean Networks Canada, where he serves as a “user engagement officer”.  Although not a scientist himself, Dwight’s mandate is  to help make recent scientific research accessible to the general public.  This he did – in spades! He spoke to us about ocean acidification, which has … Continue reading Dwight Owens – “Sour Seas: ocean acidification explained”

by Andrew Bryant, 21 January 2016. Ioni Wais is a relative newcomer to Powell River and somewhat difficult to categorize.  He describes himself as a “community animator”,  with a focus on “people, plants and place”. Actually, I think that sums it up pretty well! In any event Ioni, or more accurately Ionatan Waisgluss, led us on a … Continue reading Ioni Wais – “Corn Smut, Fairy Rings and Ergotoxicosis”

by Andrew Bryant, 19 November 2015. Our dear friend Captain Mike Moore took time off from skippering the ever-faithful Misty Isles and driving naturalists hither and fro in his zodiac, to show us what he does in the “off-season”… …which is driving naturalists hither and fro…in a zodiac…in Antarctica! The photos were breathtaking, and some of the stories behind … Continue reading Mike Moore – “Antarctica”