April 20, 2026
Chasing Wild Orchids and Other Botanical Adventures in Western Australia
– with Ronald Long
With over three decades behind the lens as the sciences photographer at Simon Fraser University, Ron Long has turned his passion for the natural world into a globe-trotting botanical adventure – and this month, he’s bringing Western Australia to Courtenay.
Western Australia is home to one of the most extraordinary and ancient floras on Earth. Stable climate and ancient soils have given evolution millions of years to run wild – producing thousands of orchid species and equally fascinating plant families that most of us have never encountered. Ron describes this as the most rewarding plant-hunting trip of his life, and one look at his photography makes it easy to understand why.
Ron is the past president of both the Native Plant Society of BC and the Scientific and Industrial Photographers Association of BC. Since 2000, he has led a biodiversity study on Pink Mountain, working to protect one of BC’s most unique natural sites. He also taught photography at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and lectures widely on nature and photography topics across British Columbia.
Don’t miss this chance to armchair-travel to Australia’s wildflower paradise without leaving Courtenay!
This will be a ‘hybrid’ in-person and Zoom meeting:
- All ZOOM meetings will begin at 7:00 pm.
- All IN-PERSON meetings: doors will open at 6:30 pm, and meetings start at 7:15 pm.
- In-person meetings (presentation-only) may also be accessible by Zoom from your home.
HOW TO ATTEND:
All current CVHS members will receive a Zoom invitation before this meeting.
NOT A MEMBER?
If you are not a CVHS member and would like to join us, please CLICK HERE to purchase a guest pass by Friday, April 17, no later than 5:00 pm, for $5.50. Processing takes 2 days.
Please join us!
