Pender Harbour Archives – Malaspina Naturalists

Surveys have been completed using volunteer’s boats and surveying the coastline from Halfmoon Bay to just south of Powell River.
– J. Blancard

Here we have a pup with its mama. As you can see, they do not hold still for long!
– J. Blancard

For our winter survey, we went out on Jim’s fishing boat. We completed a survey from the Harbour to just south of Powell River.
– J. Blancard

This is Ruben on the gas dock at John Henry’s marina. He has a go pro that is at the end of a selfie stick and he walking slowly along the dock capturing images.
– J. Blancard

The European Green Crab (Carcinus maenasis) is considered to be in the top 10 of the top 100 most invasive species in the world
– J. Blancard

Sometimes the going can be really tough as shown here with Lee Ann.
– J. Blancard

Sometimes…we have to run for our lives! Just kidding. I love this picture so much. There was this little glide here and I wanted to get a pic of the salmon running through. Ruben was waiting patiently but of course when I was ready with the camera, there were no fish. So Ruben decided to cross and of course that is when a fish went. He was trying so hard to get out of the pic but that fish was out to get him!
– J. Blancard

Note-taking is of extreme importance,
– J. Blancard

And sometimes you just get stumped…like when we found this tiny squid!
– J, Blancard

A nice flock of Common Mergansers
– J. Blancard

and Loons are ALWAYS just “special”
– J. Blancard

Jenn Blancard – “Pender Harbour Coastal Waters Monitoring Program”
by Andrew Bryant, 16 Feb 2023.

Jenn Blancard came and spoke to us about the Pender Harbour Coastal Waters Monitoring Program. This is truly a massive “citizen-science” effort, involving dozens of volunteers, boat captains, divers, birders and more.

The idea is simple. What else lives here? What trends can we learn from monitoring their population dynamics over time? And can we ascribe those dynamics to particular ecological conditions?

That’s easy to say…and really, really hard to do in practice!

Kudos to you and your team Jenn. This is an extraordinary effort that will pay off in spades – but yes it will take a few years!

The Iris Griffith Centre
– N. Hauser

The “Welcome Woman” carving
– N. Hauser

Some of our group in front
– N. Hauser

Here’s the interior with our tirelsss hostess & driver, Le-Ann Ennis, at right
– N. Hauser

The lovely orca carving
– N. Hauser

Iris Griffith Centre
by Cindy Dalcourt, 5 November 2016.

While rushing to catch a ferry to the peninsula, have you ever noticed the sign for the Iris Griffith Centre and wondered what is was?

Well, this Saturday 17 of us found out. After carpooling to Saltery Bay and walking on the ferry, we were picked up by Lee-Ann Ennis in the “Wood Duck” bus, and taken to the Ruby Lake Lagoon Nature Reserve Society headquarters. The Society’s mission is to preserve and enhance the natural habitat and wildlife of the Ruby lake Lagoon, facilitate local environmental education, and help monitor the ecological health of the region. Their state-of-the-art Field Studies and Interpretive Centre is named after Iris Griffith, a local grassroots naturalist and activist.

On arrival we were greeted by Anne, a founding member of the Society, and treated to tea and snacks, while Lee-Ann provided background about the society and centre. The society provides facilities for study and research, fosters good stewardship ethics, promotes respect for First Nations history, cultural traditions and heritage, and promotes leadership in environmental building design. Lee_Ann also told us of their newest endeavour which is to build a “Pender Harbour Ocean Discover Station” (PODS). This is to be a centre for viewing marine creatures in their natural habitat, marine research and lab work as well as a community gathering space. The proposed architectural plans are amazing and if built, will someday be a great place to visit.

Lee-Ann then took us on a tour of the beautiful centre and surrounding area. We viewed their reclaimed wetland area which is home to ducks, turtles, frogs, beavers and much more. She explained their monitoring of the western painted turtle and showed us their nesting sites which have been enhanced by the society. Tips on dealing with the invasive Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) were also mentioned. We walked some of the trails in the area which connect to the “Suncoaster Trail” a multi- use trail that stretches from Earls Cove to Halfmoon Bay. We continued our walk through the property next door which is owned by the Ruby Lake Resort and saw their luxury camp set up and unique amphitheatre.

Upon leaving the centre we were taken on a very short tour of Egmont and then to the Egmont Heritage Centre across the street from the entrance to Skookumchuck Narrows Provincial Park. There we learned about Egmont’s history and enjoyed the many artifacts displayed. Then it was back to Earls Cove for the trip home. Lee-Ann was an enthusiastic guide and we thoroughly enjoyed our day. So next time you’re on the peninsula make sure to take the time to stop and see the sights – you’ll be glad you did!