Exploring the Wild Coast Nature Refuge

Saturday 11 July 10:30 AM– Noon

The Bowen Island Nature Conservancy’s Wild Coast Nature Refuge located on Bowen’s south coast is a gem of nature, featuring rare a coastal bluff ecosystem, mature dry coastal forest, and spectacular views of the Straight of Georgia.

Join naturalist Will Husby for a walk along the refuge’s trails with Mark Edmonds the site’s lead operations manager to learn about some of the refuge’s key natural features and about how Mark and the Conservancy are working to protect and restore this important part of the island’s natural heritage.

Please wear sturdy footwear and dress for the weather.

Open to all Bowen Nature Club Members.

Not a member?
Contact us at bowennatureclub@gmail.com for information about membership options and fees.

Registration and Where to Meet
Once you have registered for this even by email at bowennatureclub@gmail.com, we will email you a
confirmation and the start location.

Evening Owl Walk

Saturday 30 May 7:30 – 9:00 PM

Evening is one of the best times to observe owls as they prepare for and start their nightly foraging
activities. Join Naturalist Charlotte Gruneau for a ramble looking and listening for Barred Owls in one
of Bowen’s forest habitats. Charlotte is an owl specialist who has been observing and photographing owls on Bowen and elsewhere for many years. Bring your owl questions and observations. Charlotte can expand your knowledge about owl behaviour and owl watching.

Registration and Where to Meet:
Once you have registered for this even by email at bowennatureclub@gmail.com, we will email you a
confirmation and the start location.

Please wear sturdy footwear and dress for the weather.
Open to all Bowen Nature Club Members. 

Not a member?

Contact us at bowennatureclub@gmail.com for information about membership options and fees.

See Atl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound on the Bowen Nature Club’s Boat Trip

Hello to All Bowen Islanders,

Join other Bowen Nature Club Members to see Howe Sound on Cormorant Marine’s boat "The

Apodaca"  on Saturday, June 13 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM

We will depart Snug Cove and make our way up Howe Sound to view:

• petroglyphs near Porteau Cove (only visible by water)
• the Defense Islands north of Gambier, a pair of rocky islands with special significance to  local First Nations
• a brief bathroom break at Camp Potlatch*
• Christie Islet and Pam Rocks just south of Anvil Island
• recognized bird breeding sites
• a great place to view seals sunning themselves

We will return to Snug Cove by 12:30. Please bring water and snacks, wear suitable clothing as this trip will run rain or shine.

* Note that the Apodaca does NOT have washroom facilities.

Cost per person is $55 ($45.00 trip fee + $10 for a one day Nature Club Membership*).

* For insurance reasons, all participants must be Bowen Nature Club Members\

This is a first-come first-served outing. Please register ASAP at bowennatureclub@gmail.com. Once registered, we will send you a link to our membership webpage and instructions for e-transfer payment of the $55 fee. Note that this trip fills up very quickly and your spot will only be confirmed with receipt of a club membership and the e-transfer.

Sound Walk April 19

Sunday April 19 10:00-11:30 AM

Tune into one of Bowen's wild places on a meditative sound walk with naturalists and musicians Nova Pon and Christiaan Venter.  We'll practice listening deeply with a focus on the immediate acoustic environment.  Going slowly together we'll notice subtle and not-so-subtle sounds that we might normally overlook and how they combine into each unique soundscape .  Dress for the weather and for moving slowly and quietly -- no dogs please.

Event may be rescheduled if it looks like rain will mask much of the rest of the soundscape!

Our Natural Neighbours: Helping them Help Us

Saturday April 18 1PM
at the Bowen Library

Insects are essential to the health of the natural world—and to our own well-being. Yet, around the globe, insect populations are reported to be in rapid decline. What does this troubling trend look like on Bowen Island? And more importantly, what can we do to help?

In this lively and informative talk, long-time Bowen Islander and science communicator Will Husby will explore the hidden world of the island’s insects—from pollinators that keep our gardens blooming to the hardworking beetles that dine on slugs. Drawing on both local observations and broader ecological insights, Husby will reveal the remarkable diversity of insects living alongside us and share practical ways our gardens and landscapes can support them.

Come learn how small actions can make a big difference, and how creating a welcoming environment for insects will help sustain the natural beauty, resilience, and ecological health of Bowen Island.

This program is a partnership between a community volunteer, Bowen Island Library, and Bowen Nature Club. This is a free drop-in event.

Looking Back, Looking Forward: The Nature of Conservation on Bowen

Saturday April 11 1PM
at the Bowen Library Annex

Long-time Bowen Island resident Sue Ellen Fast will take us on a walk through time to explore conservation on Bowen—where we’ve come from, what we’ve learned, and where we’re headed. Drawing on her background as a biologist and environmental educator, Sue Ellen will trace the roots of local conservation from early settlers’ efforts to the history and drama behind Crippen Park.

Along the way, she’ll shine light on what makes Bowen’s flora and fauna distinctive, and tackle timely questions: How do we manage invasive species? How can we help indigenous species thrive? What
practical steps can we take—individually and together—to safeguard the island’s rich natural heritage?

The talk will also point toward special trails and places to enjoy Bowen’s wild beauty. Whether you’re curious about the island’s past or eager to play a role in its ecological future, this is an inspiring look

at why nature on Bowen matters—and how we can help protect it.

This program is a partnership between a community volunteer, Bowen Island Library, and Bowen Nature Club. This is a free drop-in event.

Sunday March 22, 10am-12pm

Silverback is a term used by primatologists to describe the senior members of a gorilla community. These elders are a repository of community knowledge about the environment that they live in. Here is a chance to walk through Bowen’s forest and wetlands with some of Bowen’s silverback naturalists and learn from their long experience watching and learning about Bowen’s natural places. Bring your nature questions.

Team Silverback will feature:
• Will Husby, naturalist and recovering entomologist
• Claudia Schaefer, plant ecologist and photographer
• Bob Turner, geologist and nature videographer
• Everhard van Lidth de Jeude, retired forester and naturalist
• Alan Whitehead, biologist and warden of the Bowen Ecological
Reserve

Registration and Where to Meet:

Members: Once you have registered for this event by email at bowennatureclub@gmail.com, we will email you a confirmation and the start location.

Please wear sturdy footwear and dress for the weather. Open to all Bowen Nature Club Members.

Not a member? For insurance reasons all participants must be current members of the Bowen Island Nature Club.

To join the Bowen Island Nature Club:
- fill in the form at: https://tally.so/r/dWWzXo
- send us your membership fee (e-transfers are preferred)

After you have submitted or renewed your membership:

Register by emailing us at bowennatireclube@gmail.com
* tell us how many of you are planning to attend
* we will email you the location to meet to start the outing

Moss Meander

Get ready for a real treat – a nature ramble with naturalist Claudia Schaefer to discover and learn about Bowen’s mosses, some of the oldest land plants on the planet.

When: Saturday Feb 28 1:00–3:00 PM

Where to Meet

Register by emailing us at bowennatureclub@gmail.com

* tell us how many of you are planning to attend

* we will email you the location to meet to start the outing

More about the outing

Moss Meander

Explore the fascinating miniature forests at our feet with botanist Claudia Schaefer. The edges of the cedar swamps west of Grafton Lake are a great place to see a wide variety of species. We’ll wander very slowly, and we won’t get very far! Claudia will help you to identify a few of the most common mosses of Bowen Island. We’ll explore the miniature landscapes and talk about moss ecology. The rich, organic soils in this area also support many fern species, so let’s see how many we can spot. 

Beach Clean Up Saturday February 21

 Please join the Bowen Nature Club from 12-2:30, on Saturday, February 21 for a community beach clean. Winter storms often push a lot of debris and trash onto the beaches, with large pieces of styrofoam often breaking up into tiny microplastics that become nearly impossible to remove. Let’s get together and show our appreciation and care for this beautiful Island we call home.

There will be complimentary hot chocolate and herbal tea available for volunteers, as well as any equipment needed (Special thanks to Bowen Municipality for supplying gloves, and garbage bags and for setting up a garbage pick up for all the debris we gather).

Please be sure to wear warm clothes, sturdy shoes, and be extra careful on slippery logs. And keep your eyes out for any beach treasures! There is often beautiful sea glass and neat rocks to be found as well.

We look forward to getting together with everyone and helping nature thrive, including our beloved marine-dwelling species that inhabit the waters and surrounding area.

2025 Christmas Bird Count

2025 Christmas Bird Count

Yes, the 2025 Christmas Bird Count is taking place on Sunday January 4 2026 so that birders could include other counts in their winter plans and we do hope this will be a convenient date for all involved.

The Lower Howe Sound Count will be 23 years old this upcoming year. Our count circle includes the mainland of West Vancouver east of Cypress Creek, to Brunswick Beach and Lions Bay, and captures birds from the seashores up into the forests of Hollyburn Mountain on
the mainland and too, both Bowen and Gambier islands.

Save the date and let Micaele Florendo (mmaddison@hotmail.com)
know if you are going to be able to take part this year.

Membership Renewal Time

 It is membership renewal time for the Bowen Nature Club. 

Yearly membership dues are $25 per individual and $30 per family. Memberships are now valid for one calendar year. 
Please fill out the following form or use the qr code below and please send an e-transfer to:
BowenNatureClub@gmail.com 
or mail cheque to:
Bowen Nature Club, 1100 Lenora Road, Bowen Island, BC V0N 1G1

2026 Outings

 Nature Club Outings for 2026:

AGM and Saw-whet owl talk

AGM and Saw-whet owl talk
Saturday November 22, 2 PM

Please join us at Bowen Nature Club’s Annual General Meeting and Northern Saw-whet Owl talk at 2 PM on November 22, 2025 at Collins Hall. All are welcome!

One of our newest board members, Charlotte Gruneau will be doing a special presentation speaking about her work studying and tracking the elusive Northern Saw-whet Owl here on the island.

Charlotte Gruneau is an artist, wildlife photographer, writer and naturalist residing on Bowen Island. Heavily influenced by her time growing up on the coast, Charlotte’s work is inspired by and showcases many of the incredible species native to British Columbia.

Charlotte studied Fine Art & English and has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Simon Fraser University. She has been documenting and photographing wildlife for over a decade.

Over the past several years, she has formed a deep connection to the Bowen wilderness, and has more recently focussed her efforts onto the tiny enigmatic owl known as the Northern Saw-whet Owl. As a highly nocturnal, migratory species of owl that grow no bigger than a robin - these birds are incredibly difficult to study. Charlotte has dedicated hundreds of hours tracking and monitoring the owls on Bowen, and hopes to ultimately write a book chronicling her journey, spiking curiosity, awareness and educating about a surprisingly common, but little known species of owl.

Charlotte will be sharing a look into her research, along with photos and ideas about how to help this ecologically valuable and fascinating bird continue to coexist and thrive in North America.

photo credit: Charlotte Gruneau, 

instagram: cgwildlifephotography

Cross-Island Trail Hike, October 19

Cross-island Trail Hike
Sunday October 19, 9:30–12:00 PM

Take a leisurely hike along the mid section of Bowen’s Cross-island Trail with naturalist Alan Whitehead.

Dress for the weather and wear sturdy walking shoes.
Leader: Alan Whitehead.

Open to all Bowen Nature Club Members.

Register for the hike by email:

bowennatureclub@gmail.com

Nonmembers: contact us at bowennatureclub@gmail.com for information about membership options and fees.

Once you have registered for this event you will receive confirmation of starting location by email from bowennatureclub@gmail.com 

Mount Gardner Hike

Saturday 27 September 9:30am am–4 pm

UPDATE

Alan Whitehead and Aaron Rabinowitz will lead this rugged, 6-hour loop hike to both summits of Mt Gardner, rain-or-shine. Bring lunch, water, sturdy boots, hiking poles, and, if you want, a short nature poem. 

No dogs please.

Leaders: Aaron Rabinowitz and Alan Whitehead 

Open to all Bowen Nature Club Members.

Register for the hike by email:

bowennatureclub@gmail.com

Nonmembers: contact us at bowennatureclub@gmail.com for information about membership options and fees.

Once you have registered for this event you will receive confirmation of starting location by email from bowennatureclub@gmail.com 

Discovering the Ecological Reserve

Saturday August 23, 10am–4 pm.

Join Aaron Rabinowitz and longtime volunteer warden, Alan Whitehead, for a 5–6 hour expedition through Bowen’s Ecological Reserve. This is a trip into the wild heart of Bowen Island, mostly off trail.

Bring a lunch and water. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy hiking boots. 

No dogs please.

Open to all Bowen Nature Club Members.

Register for the hike by email:

bowennatureclub@gmail.com

Nonmembers: contact us at bowennatureclub@gmail.com for information about membership options and fees.

Once you have registered for this even by email at bowennatureclub@gmail.com, 

DATE CHANGE Discovering the Bowen Ecological Reserve

 

Hike Reschedule to August 23

Saturday August 16, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Unfortunately, due to the heavy rain, we needed change the date this hike. The wet, saturated conditions with soaking vegetation, high creek levels, lots of runoff and softened soils are not favourable for group hiking. These conditions also increase the land's sensitivity to damage by trampling, which we want to avoid.

Join Aaron Rabinowitz and longtime volunteer warden, Alan Whitehead, for a 5–6 hour expedition through Bowen’s Ecological Reserve. This is a trip into the wild heart of Bowen Island, mostly off trail.

Bring a lunch and water. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy hiking boots. No dogs please.

Open to all Bowen Nature Club Members.

Nonmembers: contact us at bowennatureclub@gmail.com for information about membership options and fees. Once you have registered for this even by email at bowennatureclub@gmail.com, we will email you a confirmation and the the start location.

Meadow Bug Hunt

 Meadow Bug Hunt Sunday 13, July 2–3:30 pm

Meet your six-footed neighbours—dragonflies, frog hoppers, lace wings, tortoise beetles, spit bugs, and many more. Join naturalist Will Husby for a catch an release bug hunt in Crippen Meadow.

Sign up by emailing bowennatureclub@gmail.com

Leader: Will Husby

Family Friendly Hike

 Family Friendly Hike June 14 

11:00AM - 1:00PM

Bring your kids along and join naturalist Paola Qualizza to explore the trails and

flora of Mt Collins on this hike.

Dress for the weather, wear sturdy footwear, and bring a picnic lunch or snack

and something to drink.

Once you have registered for this even by email at

bowennatureclub@gmail.com, we will email you a confirmation and the

the start location.

Open to all Bowen Nature Club Members.

Nonmembers: contact us at bowennatureclub@gmail.com for information

about membership options and fees.

Pond Discovery

 Pond Discovery Saturday May 10, 1:00-2:30pm

Join naturalist Melissa Harrison as you stalk, catch, and release pond creatures, such as tadpoles, water tigers, dragonfly nymphs and pond skaters. 

Dress for the weather and wear rubber boots or water shoes. 

Meeting place details will be provided to all registrants before the event. 

Register at least 2 days in advance by emailing bowennatureclub@gmail.com