Hornby Island Natural History Centre
BC Parks has put a call out for volunteers to spot and record butterfly larvae at Helliwell Park on Hornby Island. In particular, the little black Taylor’s checkerspot larvae on the plantain plants that they love to feed on. If…
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Backyard Feeders Linked to Deadly Salmonella Outbreak in Small Birds
This year we have seen an irruption of pine siskins and other wintering birds feasting in flocks. Unfortunately, a large number of the tiny birds are dying from salmonella poisoning that is passed on at backyard feeders, including here on Hornby island.
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Students Aid in Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterfly Recovery Project
On October 27, Hornby Island students planted native plants along Helliwell Provincial Park’s bluffs to support the island’s rare Garry Oak ecosystem.
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Planning for the Future
The Natural History Centre is thrilled to acknowledge recent grants from HICF, HICEEC, CVCF, and MAP that support our Centre’s short and long-term visioning and reopening process.
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Summer 2020 Programs Postponed Due To Covid-19
Every summer, we look forward to connecting with those who visit the Natural History Centre and participate in the Centre’s programs. Unfortunately, this year we won’t be holding our usual summer activities due to concerns about the health and safety of participants and volunteers.
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Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterfly Reintroduction at Helliwell Park
This March, Hornby Island Natural History Centre volunteers assisted wildlife recovery specialists with the release of 400 Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly caterpillars into Helliwell Park.
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Interview with Wildlife Photographer, barb biagi
Interview with barb biagi – Hornby Island wildlife photographer, Natural History Centre Steward, and wildlife rescue volunteer.
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Students and adults work together to help Helliwell
In late October, Hornby Island students removed nearly 500 Hairy Cat’s Ear weeds from three sites at Helliwell Park. They also planted 518 seedlings of three types of native grass, Woolly Sunflower and Yarrow that were grown by members of the Natural History Centre.
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Autumn Update from the Stewards
Despite not having a visitable location during summer 2019 after the fire, Hornby Island Natural History has remained busy: maintaining the collection in the temporary storage location, hosting the speaker series and nature walk programs, and connecting with the community at the Market.
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Student Activity: Planting Bulbs
As part of the Hornby School’s changing seasons theme, Natural History stewards worked with students on a bulb planting project. The intermediate class planted 210 bulbs of various types of narcissus on the bank along Sollans Road and in the plot in front of the school.
About
The Natural History Centre offers events, programs, and a natural history collection to encourage a bond between people and nature. Our programs give community members and visitors opportunities for cultivating deeper relationships with the natural world.
Exhibit
The Hornby students, their families, school staff, members of the community, and island guests created the Exhibit by donating naturally found specimens and by helping to raise the money to have them preserved for display.
Programs
Our summer programs include the speaker series, in which experts speak on topics of local interest, and nature walks, which are a great opportunity to discover Hornby’s unique geology and ecosystems. Year-round we collaborate in student education programs.
latest news
Students Aid in Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterfly Recovery Project
On October 27, Hornby Island students planted native plants along Helliwell Provincial Park’s bluffs to support the island’s rare Garry Oak ecosystem.
Meet Michelle Willard of Mighty Museum
Meet Michelle Willard, Museum Consultant and Specialist! The Natural History Centre is excited to be working with Michelle Willard of Mighty Museum to envision the future of our Centre and its reopening. Michelle holds a Master of Arts in Anthropology…
Backyard Feeders Linked to Deadly Salmonella Outbreak in Small Birds
This year we have seen an irruption of pine siskins and other wintering birds feasting in flocks. Unfortunately, a large number of the tiny birds are dying from salmonella poisoning that is passed on at backyard feeders, including here on Hornby island.
Interview with Wildlife Photographer, barb biagi
Interview with barb biagi – Hornby Island wildlife photographer, Natural History Centre Steward, and wildlife rescue volunteer.
