If you’re enjoying the mild fall, you are not alone. Some native plants have evolved to take advantage of the remaining warmth and sun during this normally wetter end to the growing season. There are several annual wildflowers that germinate in the fall and establish leaves before hunkering down for Read more…
The ocean bioluminescence that we see in the waters around Mayne Island are created by dinoflagellates: tiny, single-celled plankton. There are thousands of species of dinoflagellates throughout the oceans of the world, and most of them reproduce asexually. It is assumed that dinoflagellates light up when disturbed to intimidate or escape predators.
After several weeks of blowing winds and blinding sunshine, I was finally tempted to unleash my kayak from its summer parking spot and head out. Time to check on the 2022 seal pups and otter kits, and pick up any garbage from the islets off Bennett Bay, as has become Read more…
The intertidal zone is the area of shore between the lowest and highest tides. From sea stars to tidepool sculpin, an amazing array of different creatures call this harsh environment home.
When I first arrived on Mayne I was enthralled to see so many deer wandering along the island roads and paths. They are beautiful animals, and they would stand and look at me with their big brown eyes as I took their photo. But I soon learned that the deer Read more…
There are few things in life that provide as much satisfaction as watching plants grow. Many of us first experience this as small children, peering down at germinating bean seeds in classrooms scented by washable paint and warm peanut butter sandwiches. The small act of planting can have an impact Read more…
Did you know that we have six native species of flowering members of the onion family here in British Columbia, four of which you might encounter when out on the trails of Mayne Island? The most common is nodding onion (Allium cernuum), and the ones seen less often are Hooker’s Read more…
Do you recall the phrase “If you build it, he will come” from the 1989 film Field of Dreams? Well, in the case of the elusive Wilson’s Snipe, we might rephrase it to “If you build it, s/he will stay.” This past spring, the owners of Hedgerow Farm on Mayne Read more…
This is part three of the “Below Our Feet” series, exploring the mysterious workings of the Rhizosphere, which is the region of soil shaped and surrounded by plant roots. In the last article, we met some of the most common soil animals and learned about the vital tasks they perform Read more…
In celebration of Oceans Day, the Mayne Island Conservancy hosted a three-part event on whale conservation efforts in the Salish Sea on June 29, where we learned how connecting people to the ocean through art, innovation and citizen science can motivate protection of marine ecosystems. To open the evening, island Read more…