Pender Islands Conservancy Association

Pender Islands Conservancy Association Dedicated to protecting and preserving special places for future generations

08/28/2026

“If you build it, they will come, Part II”: Kingfisher Forest wetland version.

What was once a gravel road, destined to become a paved cul-de-sac in a residential subdivision, is now a young, thriving wetland.

Our wildlife camera has picked up a range of visitors; in addition to the Pacific chorus frogs, rough-skinned newts, and abundant aquatic invertebrates, the pond has been visited by bathing ravens and robins, belted kingfishers, a solitary sandpiper, a barred owl, river otters, raccoons, and northern flickers...so far.

We can’t wait to see what other species discover this place, now that it has been permanently protected as a nature sanctuary.

New displays at the Nature Centre!Come explore our growing collection of wildlife specimens and nests from species you c...
08/27/2026

New displays at the Nature Centre!

Come explore our growing collection of wildlife specimens and nests from species you can find right here on Pender Island.

One of our newest additions is a jaw, generously donated by one of our volunteers. It was found near Hope Bay, most likely after an otter dragged part of it up from the shoreline. (See slides 4 & 5!)

This jaw belongs to a species in the class Chondrichthyes, a group of jawed cartilaginous fish that includes sharks, skates, and rays. We think it may have belonged to either a Big Skate (Beringraja binoculata) or a Pacific Spiny Dogfish (Squalus suckleyi).

Species in this class have several rows of “teeth” that are actually enlarged placoid scales. Their teeth are continuously shed at the front and replaced by new ones developing behind them. If you look closely, you might even notice a few teeth missing from this jaw.

Stop by the Nature Centre to explore these fascinating additions!

Open Tuesday–Sunday | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

08/27/2026

Get to know Douglas Aster (Symphyotrichum subspicatum)!

You can find Douglas Aster, along with a wide variety of other native plants, at Pender Native Plants. Whether you’re looking for beautiful, resilient plants, hoping to support native pollinators and wildlife, or simply have questions, we’re always happy to help.

Visit us this weekend!

🕙 Open Friday & Saturday | 10am – 2pm
📍 4506 Bedwell Harbour Rd

Visit us at the Fall Fair this Saturday!⭐️We’ll have fun activities, fascinating displays, and friendly faces waiting fo...
08/26/2026

Visit us at the Fall Fair this Saturday!⭐️

We’ll have fun activities, fascinating displays, and friendly faces waiting for you. Curious about local wildlife? Wondering what to do with invasive plants? Looking for ways to get involved? Stop by, ask questions, and say hello!

We can’t wait to see you there!💚

Ready for another Birdle? 🐦Turn on your sound! Can you identify this bird from its close-up and call?Leave your best gue...
08/25/2026

Ready for another Birdle? 🐦

Turn on your sound! Can you identify this bird from its close-up and call?

Leave your best guess in the comments below. We’ll reveal the answer in the next Birdle!

🦅 Birdle Reveal: Last week’s mystery bird was a Juvenile Bald Eagle!
📸 Photo by Maria Miller

You’re invited! Join us for our After Hours Garden Party! ⭐️🦇🌿Meet new people, help restore and care for the beautiful l...
08/24/2026

You’re invited! Join us for our After Hours Garden Party! ⭐️🦇🌿

Meet new people, help restore and care for the beautiful landscape at Masthead-Shingle Trail, and enjoy a summer evening outdoors. As the sun sets, we’ll have bat detectors on site so you can listen for and watch our fascinating nocturnal neighbours.

Cold drinks and snacks will be provided.

📅 Wednesday, August 26
🕖 7:00–9:00 PM
📍 Masthead-Shingle Trail (Galleon Way side)

Questions? Contact Jess at [email protected]

Last weekend, the Nature Centre was filled with community, conversation, and celebration as we unveiled a beautiful new ...
08/24/2026

Last weekend, the Nature Centre was filled with community, conversation, and celebration as we unveiled a beautiful new mural by artist Nicole Wolf

In her inspiring artist talk, Nicole shared the story behind the piece, which celebrates old-growth forests and the community elders who have become the voice of these ancient trees, championing their protection.

The mural invites us to reflect on the important role elders play in both our forests and our communities, and on the stewardship they inspire in future generations.

We are deeply grateful to the Raincoast Conservation Fdn for supporting Nicole’s commission through grant funding, and to Priya Puri for kicking off the day with a Big Tree Registry workshop on Conservancy Nature Reserve lands.

We invite you to visit the Nature Centre and experience the mural for yourself.

Introducing our After Hours Garden Party!⭐️🦇🌿Meet new people, help restore and care for the beautiful landscape at Masth...
08/22/2026

Introducing our After Hours Garden Party!⭐️🦇🌿

Meet new people, help restore and care for the beautiful landscape at Masthead-Shingle Trail, and enjoy a summer evening outdoors. As the sun sets, we’ll have a bat detector on site so you can listen and watch for our fascinating nocturnal neighbours.

Cold drinks and snacks will be provided.

📅 Wednesday, August 26
🕖 7:00–9:00 PM
📍 Masthead-Shingle Trail (Galleon Way side)

Whether you’re joining us after work or volunteering for the first time, we’d love to see you there!

Questions? Contact Jess at [email protected]

Field Find Friday: Barn swallows (Hirundo rustica)This time of year, barn swallows from all over Pender Island start to ...
08/22/2026

Field Find Friday: Barn swallows (Hirundo rustica)

This time of year, barn swallows from all over Pender Island start to congregate in preparation for migration. Many of them have been spending their time at Wilder Wood Farm (near Hope Bay) in recent weeks, and Laura Matthias has provided footage of this annual spectacle.
Our monitoring of the Driftwood colony this year found 25 nests producing one or more broods of young – that’s well over 100 young barn swallows produced this year, just at that single colony! Providing or maintaining nest sites, or protecting and restoring wetlands, are some of the ways we can help populations of aerial insectivores like swallows, nighthawks and bats. A big thank you to everyone who hosts barn swallows at their own properties – over front doors, attached to the side of homes, in barns or other structures: collectively, we’re helping to give this declining species a chance to make a comeback.

📸 Photos and video by Laura Matthias

08/20/2026

Get to know Yellow-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium californicum)! 🌼

This cheerful native perennial thrives in full sun and moist soils, where its bright yellow blooms provide an important nectar source for a variety of pollinators throughout the growing season.

You can find Yellow-eyed Grass, along with a wide variety of other native plants, at Pender Native Plants.

🕙 Open Friday & Saturday | 10 am – 2 pm
📍 4506 Bedwell Harbour Rd

Hope to see you there this weekend!

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Pender Island, BC

Opening Hours

Tuesday 11am - 3pm
Wednesday 11am - 3pm
Thursday 11am - 3pm
Friday 11am - 3pm
Saturday 11am - 3pm
Sunday 11am - 3pm

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