All plants are grown on Mayne Island by the Mayne Island Conservancy from seeds and cuttings collected locally by hand. The plants are grown in our plant nursery without the use of artificial fertilizer or any pesticides. We use 100% rainwater to water our plants. Care is taken to follow Read more…
“Out in the field”—a term originally used by farmers, and shamelessly stolen by biologists. When I’m having a lucky day free from grant writing or reporting, I’m often ‘in the field’, which could involve anything from invasive plant removal and monitoring past restoration projects to landowner consultations and leading school Read more…
We’re pleased to report a fifth native amphibian species has been detected on Mayne Island! Here’s an introduction to all five, including the newest member of our local amphibian family; the common ensatina! What is an Amphibian? Pacific chorus frog (Pseudacris regilla) The Pacific chorus frog is the most often Read more…
This year we have hired two amazing people to come and work with us over the summer. Charlotte will be here from mid-April to the end of September, and Joël will be here from mid-May until the end of August. Our summer staff are integral to the delivery of our Read more…
Thank you to everyone who applied. The positions have now been filled. As in past years, competition was high. We received 77 applications this year. Ecosystems Technician A – April 13th to Sept 25th, 2020 Ecosystems Technician B – May 11th to Aug 28th, 2020
There are many more deer on Mayne Island now than in previous centuries. The evidence for that statement is available for anyone to see: most native plants on Mayne Island are decreasing in abundance as a result of deer browse. Have you seen sword fern with its tips chewed off? Read more…
Our annual bull kelp surveys were a huge success this year thanks to community donations, funding from the Federal Habitat Stewardship Program, and a little luck with the weather. Our bull kelp surveys can only be completed during the lowest tides each August, and this year we had perfect low Read more…
Have you ever found yourself shoving dirty clothes into a closet as your dinner guests walk up the driveway? I have! Out of sight, out of mind, right? It’s a great strategy for early dinner guests, but unfortunately not so great when it comes to natural resource management. While they’re Read more…
The 2019 Annual Mayne Island Beach Cleanup on Sunday April 7th was a huge success thanks to the record number of community volunteers who contributed their time and resources. We had 137 volunteers participate, and together they removed 1,712 kg of human trash from shorelines around Mayne Island. In addition Read more…
Bugles and Baselines – Nine Years of Bull Kelp Mapping around Mayne Island, B.C. Kelly Fretwell and Rob Underhill Have you ever made a bugle horn from a piece of washed-up bull kelp? If not, you’re missing out on a fine West Coast experience! Now is a good time to Read more…