When Carol White first came to the Comox Valley nine years ago from Ontario, she was blown away by the trees and the overall beauty of the area. White discovered Comox Valley Nature — a local non-profit specializing in natural history and environmental activities — through mutual gardening acquaintances who were also involved with the Comox Valley Seed Bank. She was inspired to learn more about the area around her.
She said all of the new information she was taking in about the natural environment of the Comox Valley was a big learning curve for her at first. “Everything was different — the birds, the growing season, just the size and scale of things. It made me realize how little I actually knew,” White said, “And I guess, as you get older, you realize you know less than you thought you knew about the world, which is a strange thing.
” Comox Valley Nature’s main vision is “to know nature, and keep it worth knowing” which is something White keeps in mind when thinking about the environment and its future. One initiative the organization hosts for the community is Trees of the Year , an annual occasion inviting people to nominate their favourite trees throughout Comox, Courtenay, Cumberland and the Comox Valley Regional District — all on the traditional and unceded territory of K’ómoks First Nation. This year’s nominations have been announced, and White said the initiative is an opportunity for community members to learn more about the local natural .