SouthOkanagan

SimilkameenConservation

Program

2007 - 2008Annual Report

T h e c o r e a d m i n i s t r a t i o n o f t h e S o u t hO k a n a g a n S i m i l k a m e e n C o n s e r v a t i o n P r o g r a m

( S O S C P ) i s s u p p o r t e d b y P a r t n e rc o n t r i b u t i o n s . S O S C P w o u l d a l s o l i k e t o

r e c o g n i z e t h e g e n e r o u s s u p p o r t o f t h e R e a lE s t a t e F o u n d a t i o n o f B r i t i s h C o l u m b i a .

SOSCPSouth Okanagan Similkameen

Conservation Program

Table of Contents

2007-2008 Award Recipients 4Message from the Chair 6Program Manager’s Report 7SOSCP Background 11TEK Report 13Stewardship Report 14Science Report 17Outreach Report 20Land Use Planning Report 23Habitat Securement Report 25Partner Information 27SOSCP Team Information 30

Photo Credits:Kevin Dunn, Debbie Clarke, Keith Baric, Lucy Reiss, Barb Pryce,Dick Cannings, Lisa Scott, Alyson Skinner, SOSCP Program

SOSCP

WARD ECIPIENTS2007-2008 A R

EANNETTE RMSTRONGJ A

Jeannette Armstrong is renownedin Canada and abroad as anOkanagan (Syilx) Canadianauthor, artist, educator andindigenous civil rights activist.Jeannette grew up on the PentictonIndian Reserve and received atraditional education fromOkanagan Elders and her family.Her formal education credentials

are too long to list, as are her honorary doctorates, awardsand involvement in eco-literacy, sustainability, Aboriginallanguage, Indigenous leadership and cultural revitalizationmovements around the world. She is a fluent speaker andteacher of the Okanagan Language (nsyilxcen) in additionto being Executive Director of the En'owkin Centre, ateaching institution and gathering place for the OkanaganNation that engages culture, community and ecology, andwhere story, cooperation, education and artistry cometogether. Jeannette is also an assistant professor inIndigenous Studies at UBC Okanagan and member of theNational Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge (ATK) sub-committee of the Committee on the Status of EndangeredWildlife in Canada (COSEWIC).

SOSCP is privileged to be linked with the Syilx TEKcommunity through partnership with the En'owkin Centre.The role of Aboriginal Knowledge in-situ as a methodologyfor conservation has not been well understood by the non-Aboriginal community. As Chair of the SOSCP TraditionalEcological Knowledge Team, Jeannette has nurtured anincreased understanding and practical application ofIndigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices that areclearly complimentary to our shared conservation strategy.This has been a challenging task and her patience andwillingness to share these perspectives embodies herconnection to the land and the En’owkin way.

AROLD INGH K

Harold King has along history ofvolunteering forconservation in theSouth Okanagan. Hewas a signatory tothe originalcertificate ofincorporation

forming the Osoyoos Desert Society, volunteered for theSociety throughout the years and still leads guided tours atthe Centre. Harold has been a Director for many years withthe Okanagan Similkameen Parks Society and the Oliver-Osoyoos Naturalist Club. In this role he was instrumental inthe protection of Haynes Lease, and in 2006 was recognizedby BC Parks with a 25 year certificate for his years ofservice as an Ecological Warden for both the Haynes andFields Lease Ecological Reserves. Harold also dedicatedabout 5 years on the Okanagan-Shuswap Land andResource Management Plan (LRMP) planning process andparticipates on the Land Use Planning Team of SOSCP. Hehas been a member of the Advisory Planning Committee forElectoral Area C (rural Oliver) for about 5 years and haschaired the APC for the last 2 years. In addition to all theseactivities, Harold still found time to work extensively withyouth through the scouting movement. He has spent morethan 30 years with young scouts teaching them about theenvironment and direct outdoor camping experiencesaround the valley.

2007-2008 Annual Report 4

“SOSCP is successful because of the dedication and contributionof organizations and individuals that advance conservation in

their own unique way.”

OANNE UIRHEADJ M

Joanne Muirhead is beingrecognized for herdedication to theconservation of our uniqueecosystems. “As avolunteer, director andsometime president of thesociety, some of my mostpositive experiences overthe last eight years haveinvolved working closelywith Joanne Muirhead.From the day I hired onwith her as a volunteerguide, and through roughtimes and good times I

observed that Joanne's core values and passionate vocationwere unwavering; she remained loyal, hardworking,compassionate, principled, stubborn and totally focused.An additional quality which Joanne has in abundance is hernatural warmth and charm, her people skills personality,which inspired volunteers, donors and clients alike. Thisquality has been an intrinsic and priceless asset to theSociety and, I am sure, is appreciated by all those whoknow her. I have wondered if I, or indeed others, wouldhave been as dedicated over the years had it not been forthe unique combination of the talents possessed by Joanne,in her successive roles as Site Manager, Executive Directorand, currently, Board Director of the Osoyoos DesertSociety, and I am very pleased to endorse this recognitionof her achievements.” - Roger Horton. President, OsoyoosDesert Society

SOSCP

WARD ECIPIENTS2007-2008 A R

REW ARMICHAELD C

Drew Carmichael is beingrecognized by The Nature Trustof BC for his outstandingsupport to the SOSCP, as apartner and Executive memberover the years. During his longand distinguished career withthe Ministry of Environment,Drew has been a champion forlocal and provincialconservation efforts, and hisdedication to supportingconservation partnerships

between the Ministry and conservation agencies, such asThe Nature Trust, is greatly appreciated. Thank you Drew,for all of your personal and professional support, we wishyou all the best in your retirement.

5

We would like to thank Peter Sulzle for the donationof photography for this year’s award recipients.

There 's nothing Peter Sulzle loves to do more thanphotograph wildlife and nature. His passion startedat an early age during family vacations to the AlbertaRockies. As a chi ld, he always wanted to be the oneholding the family camera. Today, Peter lives inKamloops, British Columbia and has contributedmuch of his work to conservation and naturalistorganizations. Through his photography he hopes toencourage a deeper respect for the natural spacesthat surround us and the creatures that call it home.For more information about Peter and a look at moreof his work, you can visit

Peter Sulzle

www.petersulzle.com

SOSCP

ESSAGE FROM THE HAIRM C

As Chair of the SOSCP, I am pleased to present this report for the SOSCP activities andaccomplishments for the reporting period April 1, 2007 - March 31, 2008.

The SOSCP has had another successful year in forwarding conservation interests in the SouthOkanagan Similkameen. We have made great strides in increasing the scope of the partnershipand in influencing conservation planning in the region.

It has been my pleasure to work with Bryn White, Program Coordinator, over the past 12months, in my term as Program Chair. I have greatly appreciated the support that Bryn hasprovided to the Executive Committee and all partners during this time. Over the past two years,Bryn has been instrumental in carrying forward the principals of the partnership in a way thatmakes our initiatives relevant and useful to the SOSCP partners and to the broader communitiesin which we work.

The success of the SOSCP is evident in its growing membership of conservation partners. In particular, significantpartnerships have been forged with local governments, with the signing on to the program by the Towns of Osoyoos andOliver and the District of Summerland. That these communities are interested in the partnership speaks to the fact that theSOSCP has much to offer to local governments in terms of land use planning and conservation. Other key partners to signon include the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory, at White Lake, and the Resource Conservation andDevelopment Council, of North Central Washington State.

The SOSCP has also broadened its conservation influence through a number of new working associations, including theEnvironmental Farm Plan Program, the Okanagan Basin Water Board, and the Fraser Basin Council.

It is critical that the SOSCP, as an organization, remains relevant to its membership partners, in setting priorities,leveraging capacity, developing conservation planning tools and coordinating conservation efforts.A good example of thiscollaborative planning approach is the Regional Biodiversity Conservation Strategy being launched in December of 2008.The need for a conservation framework for local and regional governments was raised in the South Okanagan RegionalGrowth Strategy under the Environmental Goal to The SOSCPand its local government partners are pleased to collaborate on the development of this strategy, to achieve biodiversity andecosystems protection through the implementation of policy, regulation and stewardship strategies that sustain and enhanceour environment.

An important note to be emphasised is that we, the partners, are the SOSCP. What we contribute to the program is what wecollectively get out of it. The degree of benefit to partners is in direct correlation to the degree to which individual partnersparticipate in the program. I encourage all partners to make the best use of this partnership, in balancing conservation,social, and economic interests in the South Okanagan-Similkameen.

My time as Program Chair has been rewarding, and I look forward to working with the new Executive Committee over thenext year as Past-Chair.

Carleton MacNaughtonChair, SOSCP

“ensure the health of ecosystems in the south Okanagan”.

2007-2008 Annual Report 6

SOSCP

ROGRAM OORDINATOR S EPORTP C ’ RThis past year has been one ofthe most stimulating times asProgram Coordinator - withthe creation of excitingopportunities for partnershipand engagement with new andinteresting partners andinitiatives.

As we all know, there is morework to be done than capacityto do it. We continue to

sharpen our program focus to be an even more effectiveand relevant conservation delivery initiative in the region.Our challenge continues to be, addressing in a meaningfulway, the barriers that prevent us from engaging all aspectsof our community, and adequately leveraging the humanand financial resources required to successfully achievethis. With the help and support of all of our partners andfunders, this is entirely possible, and in fact, entirelynecessary, to accomplish the goals we have set forourselves within this globally and nationally importantecosystem.

As SOSCP Chair this year, Carl MacNaughton, SouthOkanagan Land Manager for The Nature Trust of BC,brought an invaluable depth of “on-the-ground”conservation perspective to the program. Carl has beeninvolved in the SOSCP since its inception, and in additionto his demanding regular duties as a conservation landmanager, he also chairs the SOSCP Habitat SecurementTeam. Carl has a long history in this valley and his positiveworking relationship with many landowners and ranchersin the area is obvious. His upbeat and helpful perspectiveas Chair, and his support for the program this year wasgreatly appreciated. We are all looking forward to hiscontinued involvement on the SOSCP Executive as Past-Chair and Habitat Securement Team lead.

Also critical to the ongoing success of this program is theExecutive Committee. These are partner representativesthat come together once every month or two, to worktogether with the Program Coordinator on the day to daycomponents of the program related to human resources,policy implementation, implementation of the strategicplan, and general oversight. Many thanks to the members

of the Executive for being an active, involved andsupportive committee. Their commitment to the programreflects the dedication of the hard working individuals whodrive the conservation ethos in the South OkanaganSimilkameen.

It is a pleasure to present this Annual Report summary ofSOSCP accomplishments and successes for this past fiscalyear, 2007-08, and at the same time, be able to highlight anumber of very successful activities that are currentlyunderway up to and including December 2008.

The Program continues to make significant contributions toconservation and sustainability in many program areas.

As mentioned by our Chair, this year the partnership hasagain broadened to include partnership with organizationsand initiatives that will contribute to the overallconservation objectives in the South Okanagan andSimilkameen.

SOSCP welcomed additional local government partners tothe table, including the

The formal signing ceremonywas conducted at the SOSCP spring meeting in Oliverwhere Acting Osoyoos MayorAllan Carswell, OliverMayor Ron Hovanes, and Summerland Mayor DavidGregory were welcomed to the program and had theopportunity to describe some of the environmentalaccomplishments their communities had achieved.

At the SOSCP spring meeting, Dr. Tom Landecker alsosigned on to the SOSCP Statement of Cooperation on behalfof the

. Dr. Landecker mentioned that as owners of 2,000hectares of land in the White Lake Basin, he looks forwardto continuing to steward these lands and conserve theirecological values with help from the SOSCP partners.

In our endeavour to truly maintain an ecological corridorand consider the landscape as a whole, we are pleased toannounce our special working relationship with the

Highlights of the Year's Accomplishments

Partnership Building

Towns of Oliver, Osoyoos, and theDistrict of Summerland.

Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory(DRAO)

NorthCentral Washington Resource Conservation and

7

SOSCP

Development Council (NCW RC&D) through itsInitiative for Rural Innovation and Stewardship (IRIS).

IRIS

NCWRC&D and SOSCP

The RC&D is also a multi-partner initiative sponsored bytri-county cities, Colville Confederated Tribes, CountyPublic Utility Districts, Conservation Districts, andconservation NGO's working together to “facilitate andfoster cooperation, local leadership, and concern for theenvironment”.

is a self-supporting, vibrant and adaptive communitybased organization that works to advance the developmentof sustainable rural communities and natural resource-based economies by facilitating research, education, anddevelopment projects that effect positive change withinthese sectors. Most recently, the

have signed letters ofcooperation specifically designed around thebiodiversity interests of both organizationsas IRIS is undertaking a significant projectfor regional biodiversity planning in NorthCentral Washington.

At the last AGM, awards were presented toseveral individuals for their significantcontributions to conservation in the SouthOkanagan-Similkameen; retired BCMinistry of Environment VegetationEcologist, Ted Lea; Canadian WildlifeService Research Scientist, ChristineBishop; retired Fisheries Section Head (BCMinistry of Environment) and ConsultingBiologist, Chris Bull; Consulting Biologist and Author,Dick Cannings; UBC Professor Emeritus, Department ofZoology, Geoff Scudder, long-time Naturalist andEcological Reserve Warden, Eva Durance; retired WildlifeSection Head (BC Ministry of Environment), Bob Lincoln;and finally, Senior Research Biologist with the CanadianWildlife Service, Pam Krannitz. Each of these individualsare dedicated conservation practitioners and eachcontributes to the conservation strategy and good work ofmany of the SOSCP Teams.

The SOSCP Coordinator and partners FORREX and OSCAalso made a connection with the Pacific Agri-foodResearch Centre (Summerland) viticulture researchscientists and the BC Wine Institute on topics of

sustainability. The Coordinator continues to representSOSCP on the Okanagan Water Stewardship Council, anad-hoc technical committee to the Okanagan Basin WaterBoard, and is proud to have been involved with thedevelopment of the Okanagan Sustainable Water Strategy.

The Program Coordinator has also been in conversationwith the director of the Similkameen Valley PlanningSociety (SVPS) in an effort to understand the planningsupport needs of that region. The SVPS is a uniquepartnership that includes two municipalities, two FirstNations, and the Regional District. In 2007, it sponsored anAmenity Migration Survey that outlines “natural amenities”as are a primary reason for attracting and retainingresidents, and that values and concerns prominently feature

conservation of landscape, air and water askey findings. These results are consistentwith the SOSCP public opinion pollsconducted in 2004 and again in the springof 2008 indicating pro-conservationattitudes, specifically in the Similkameen.There are a number of ways that SVPS andthe SOSCP may be able to collaborate andsupport each other in the future.

Most recently, the SOSCP Coordinator washonoured to be asked to join the Real EstateFoundation of BC at their 20th Anniversaryevent in Vancouver, to celebrate 20 years ofthe Foundation's grant-making and torepresent the Conservation and Stewardship

sector on a panel that included Erik Karlsen, Chair of theAgricultural Land Commission; Brenda Eaton, Chair of BCHousing and former Deputy Minister to the Premier; and,Kelly Lerigny, 2006-2007 president of the BC Real EstateAssociation.

Efforts to secure long-term funding outside the partnercontributions are being focused on building the SOSCPEndowment Fund now merged with the EnvironmentalLegacy Fund both held with the Community Foundation ofthe South Okanagan.

The Real Estate Foundation of BC has committed tofunding the program for another multi-year term and has

Long Term Program Funding

2007-2008 Annual Report 8

ROGRAM OORDINATOR S EPORTP C ’ R

SOSCP

also generously widened the capacity to include sometechnical and planning work that SOSCP is undertakingwith local and regional governments. The REF continues toview the SOSCP as a valuable stewardship andconservation initiative that can support and reach out tomany sectors involved in land use planning anddevelopment.

To keep abreast of all of the progress and challenges withinthe provincial conservation sector, the ProgramCoordinator has initiated and chaired a “ConservationProgram Manager's Network” that is quarterly conferencecalls to share information between similar initiativesthroughout the province, including the East Kootenay,North/Central Okanagan, South Coast, and Garry OakEcosystem Programs.

The SOSCP monthly newsletter continues to be a helpfulmechanism to communicate news, coming events,announcements, resources and partner profiles to bettercommunicate the activities of the partners within theprogram and to the community in general. Program profileand environmental information this year was strong againin the print media, including the local newspapers.

The new website is proving to be a more effective anduseful resource. The site is now hosted by the CommunityMapping Network and features a land use planning pagewith links to tools and guidelines, news, announcements,searchable project database, and links to research,resources, and partners. The Community Mapping Networkwas instrumental in assisting with the website developmentand allows key aspects of the site to be updated andmanaged by the SOSCP Coordinator.

Many of the partners and the Program Coordinatorcommunicate and coordinate efforts in fundraising,planning and delivery of projects. The generation ofscience-based information and the delivery of conservationprojects in this region of the province are staggering. Therest of this report is dedicated to showcasing the extent andresults of those efforts and I encourage you to read on.

Maintaining the Partnership and Communications

Implementing the Strategic Plan

The Program Coordinator has been involved with partnersin establishing a Grassland Recovery ImplementationGroup for the Southern Interior, focused on recovery forgrassland species and associated ecosystems, and has alsoworked with the BC Ministry of Environment, OkanaganRegion to develop a Wetland Stewardship Strategy.

In addition to the work of the SOSCP partners and Teams, asmall amount of capacity for increased technical andplanning support in the program has been instrumental inbeing able to deliver on the conservation strategy andobjectives of the program, specifically with localgovernment. Funding from the Real Estate Foundation ofBC and Habitat Stewardship Program through OSCA hasenabled the SOSCP to engage the services of Susan Austen,with over 25 years of experience in land use planning,stewardship and conservation as well as ConsultingBiologist Mike Sarell and GIS Mapping Consultant AllisonHaney to assist communities with their sustainable land useplanning needs. The Wetland Stewardship Partnership,

and the Grassland ConservationCouncil's workshop have also beenvaluable resources. One of the key barriers to the adoptionand implementation of ecological standards and practiceswithin small municipalities and regional districts arefinancial and human resources. The SOSCP is activelyworking with its local government partners and funders todevelop a long-term capacity building strategy.

Green Bylaws ToolkitPlanning for Change

9

ROGRAM OORDINATOR S EPORTP C ’ R

SOSCP

During the previous year, the SOSCP undertook a project toexplore options for a Sustainability Network initiative. Thatreport indicated consensus for the need to pursue aconcentrated sustainability initiative that included a numberof broader issues to be addressed, and the need to draw in afull spectrum of partners for basin-wide efforts to be builton the existing expertise and efforts already in place. Co-incidentally, a shift was also taking place with theincreasing profile of the Okanagan Basin Water Board andits basin-wide mandate for leadership on water issues, andsome movement towards more inter-jurisdictionalcooperation on a number of communal items including, butnot limited to, air quality, transportation, solid waste,growth management, climate change, food security,invasive plants and fauna, and economic development.These events, coupled with sustainability goals of the SouthOkanagan Regional Growth Strategy, and the maturing ofconservation partnerships in both ends of the OkanaganValley, have established the groundwork for truly “thinkinglike a Basin” and we are in a good position to establish aconservation strategy for the entire corridor.

The notion for a Regional Biodiversity ConservationStrategy was raised in the Regional District of OkanaganSimilkameen under anenvironmental protection goal and policies to coordinatemanagement of regional biodiversity conservation andsupport stewardship strategies. A conservation strategy isan important policy framework that set priorities foridentifying, preserving and restoring important naturalareas and considering options for conservation of entireecosystems and watersheds that go beyond municipal orrural boundaries and can include all land tenures. Thisprovides a coordinated “road map” for efforts to manageland and water of ecological value, and given themovement to a more coordinated approach to planningmay be inter-regional in nature. Strategies can becomeimportant tools for local governments and other agencies tobe able to incorporate habitat information and sustainabilityconsiderations into community and neighbourhood plans,park and recreation master plans, and development bylaws.

The SOSCP is well positioned to take the lead on initiatingthis strategy from the heart of the ecological corridor, and

Introducing a Regional Biodiversity ConservationStrategy

Sub-Regional Growth Strategy

developing it over the next two years with its localgovernment partners, and the rest of the ecologicalcorridor, including the Central and North Okanagan(OCCP) and North Central Washington's biodiversityproject. The project is intended to be of value as well toAboriginal communities undertaking strategic orcommunity planning. It is an exciting time to be involvedin the Okanagan Basin, the conservation strategy is apositive and progressive undertaking that will re-invigorateour collaboration for the entire corridor.

In the long term, the program will continue to measure itssuccess against the overall program performance indicatorsset out in the Business Plan, including conservation targets,team objectives, organizational health, and landscaperecovery goals (ecosystem function, species and habitatdiversity).

2010 will be the ten-year anniversary of the SOSCP and itwill include an in-depth evaluation of both internal andexternal program outcomes.

Thank you for the continued opportunity to work withinthis program and alongside a community of excellent,dedicated individuals and organizations involved in theSOSCP.

Bryn WhiteProgram Coordinator

Evaluating Our Efforts

2007-2008 Annual Report 10

ROGRAM OORDINATOR S EPORTP C ’ R

SOSCP

ACKGROUNDSOSCP BThe South Okanagan Similkameen A National Treasure

Program History

A combination of geography, geology and climate hascombined to make the South Okanagan and Similkameenvalleys a unique part of Canada. From the dry desert-likebench lands, shady cottonwood riparian woodlands along therivers and tributaries, to upland forests and rocky terrains, theregion has a rich variety of habitat types. Due to habitatdiversity and the fact that these ecosystems are in such closeproximity, the region supports one of the highest ratings forbiodiversity in the country. Some of these species are foundnowhere else in Canada or the world. For this reason, theSouth Okanagan Similkameen is known as Canada's“hotspot” for species richness and rarity.

Animals such as the American Badger, Burrowing Owl andTiger Salamander are among some sixty-plus COSEWIC-listed species at risk (Federal) and approximately 350animals, plants, ecological communities on the BritishColumbia Conservation Data Centre red and blue lists. Dueto increasing human pressures within this small geographicarea some species are facing local extirpation, while othershave already disappeared from the region. The goal ofconcerned citizens throughout Canada is to ensure that thewildlife diversity of the South Okanagan Similkameen isconserved for future generations.

The Okanagan-Similkameen corridor is also integral tomaintaining the biological diversity and ecologicaladaptation of natural environments in British Columbia. Thecorridor provides a vital link for plants and animals betweenthe interior grasslands of British Columbia and the GreatBasin and dry interiordesertecosystems to thesouth.

The South Okanagan Similkameen is a focal area forcooperative efforts to conserve biodiversity. The SouthOkanagan Similkameen Conservation Program (SOSCP)represents a unique effort of cooperation of local, regional,provincial and national and international organizationstowards conservation of the wildlife and habitats of theSouth Okanagan Similkameen.

The formation of the SOSCP follows a long history ofdedicated conservation activity in the region. Habitatconservation for wildlife began in the 1960's, with the

securement of important wildlife lands and the laterformation of provincial parks and ecological reserves. Themovement towards ecological sustainability continued asmany local groups formed, specializing in various aspectsof conservation.

On July 2, 2000, 19 government and non-governmentorganizations formed SOSCP when they signed a Statementof Cooperation which outlined principles for partneringtogether in a mutual effort of cooperation. In 8 years theprogram has grown to include 46 Partner organizations. Byworking together, sharing information and resources, thePartners believe they can achieve more than they couldalone. This type of partnership between Government andnon-government organizations is setting a model forconservations in other areas.

The purpose of the SOSCP is to coordinate conservationefforts to maintain the rich biodiversity of the area, includingspecies at risk, and a viable ecological corridor between thedeserts of thesouth and thegrasslands to the north.

The Partners developed a 20 year strategic plan with avision for SOSCP. The vision is: “A healthy environmentthat sustains the diversity of indigenous plants and animalswhile enriching people's lives”. This vision reflects thedesire for both environmental and economic sustainability.

In order to achieve the objectives of the program, specificgoals were established for conservation of the five broadhabitat types that occur in the area: riparian-wetlands;grassland/shrub-steppe; rocky terrain; coniferous forests; andlakes/rivers and streams. The specific habitat goals wereestablished in the SOSCP Prospectus report. A strategic planwas developed to guide strategies and work plans to achievethehabitat conservation goals.

The SOSCP program has six strategies, each with a team ofPartners to develop and implementthe work plans.

11

SOSCP

ACKGROUNDSOSCP BSOSCPTeams:

Science

Outreach

Stewardship

Traditional Ecological Knowledge

Land Use Planning

Habitat Securement

Focus On Habitat

Applying scientific knowledge

Involving the community in conservation

Voluntary caring for the land

Applying first nations' knowledge and ecological heritage

Assisting in land use decisions

Securing critical habitats

Many SOSCP efforts focus on habitats that are important to avariety of species at risk and associated wildlife. There arefive main habitat types in the South Okanagan Similkameenthat are of special importance to species at risk. Togetherthese five habitat types, often occurring in close proximity inthe narrow valleys, leads to the richness of the species whichoccur in thearea.

Grassland and Shrub-Steppe

Wetlandand Riparian

Coniferous Forests

Rugged Terrain

Lakes,Rivers and Streams

Home too many rare and endangered species, includingBadgers, Sage Thrashers and the rare Behr's HairstreakButterfly, these habitats are extremely sensitive. Being anextension of the American deserts to the south, thesegrasslands are corridors for the migration of desert-adaptedwildlife. With sandy soils and dry climate, these habitats areprone to damaged and the healing process is slow. Losses ofthe historic range of some of these habitats are over 70%.Conservation goals are to maintain corridor connectivity andto increase awareness and smartpractices in theseareas.

This moist habitat is the most biologically productive.Providing shelter and food for animals such as the WesternScreech Owl, the Yellow Breasted Chat and the Great BasinSpadefoot,wetland/riparian areas are the most imperiled in theSouth Okanagan Similkameen. Approximately 85% of thehistorical riparian habitats in this region have been lost andless than 15 % ofournaturalwetlands remain.

Defined by large and stately conifers such as Ponderosa Pine,Douglas Fir and Western Larch, these forests have oftenevolved with and been maintained by fire. Veteran treesprovide habitat for White Headed Woodpeckers and a varietyof other cavity-nesting animals. Habitat restoration in theseareas often entails forest thinning and prescribed fire.

Rock outcrops, cliffs and jumbled talus slopes provide shadeand shelter for many plants and animals. Snake dens, batroosts, bird nests and Bighorn Sheep lambing areas arefrequently located in these rocky habitats.

Lakes, rivers, and streams are ecosystems that contain manydiverse plant and animal species necessary botheconomically, and to sustain healthy freshwater systems.Impacts such as land development, water withdrawals, damsfor flood control, channel straightening and dyking, andremoval of streamside vegetation within the OkanaganBasin have negatively affected fish production and havesignificantly altered the amount of quality habitat for fishand other species historically found in these ecosystems.

2007-2008 Annual Report 12

2006-2007 Annual Report

The goal of the Traditional Ecological Knowledge(TEK) team is to develop an integrated approach inutilizing Traditional Ecological Knowledge to foster andenhance the habitat recovery strategy of SOSCP. TEKTeam members include: Chair-Jeannette Armstrong;Outreach-Judy Brock; Science-Orville Dyer; The LandConservancy-Alyson Skinner ; Land Use Planning-Robert Hawes; The Nature Trust-Carl MacNaughton;Traditional Knowledge Keepers- RichardArmstrong/Penticton, Ron Hall/Nk'mip and LillianGottfriedson/Similkameen.

A key objective of the TEK team of the SOSCP is todevelop a strategic conservation support system whichincorporates Traditional Ecological Knowledge in ameaningful and respectful way into the conservation workof the members of SOSCP. Although a very small amountof funding was available for TEK involvement forconservation work off reserve, some of our main objectivescontinue to be met through support from SOSCP memberorganizations engagement of TEK.

The TEK Team of SOSCP relies on the advice and inputfrom South Okanagan/Similkameen TEK AdvisoryCommittee (SOS TEK) members which is made up of bandmembers, who are knowledgeable about the environment asactive harvesters and hunters on all parts of the OkanaganTerritory, off reserve.

TEK was again utilized in aspects of O.S.C.A. MeadowlarkFestival outreach activities.

TEK continued other kinds of outreach in the“Reconnecting Green Spaces Project” in partnership withO.S.C.A. which brings Aboriginal students together withnon-Aboriginal students. This project combines increasinghabitat for SAR by planting sage, antelope brush, rabbit

RADITIONAL COLOGICAL NOWLEDGET E Kbrush, water birch, willow, Saskatoon berry, elderberry,Oregon grapes and black cottonwood, into selected sites.

The TEK Committee continued to be actively involved inthe White Lake Steering Committee, including a TEKseasonal burn planning and implementation.

The TEK committee continues to be involved in theKennedy Property Steering Committee, the Vaseux BighornNWA Management team, as well as the Okanagan NationAlliance Natural Resources Committee. A unique TEKperspective using a "Systems" based approach toassessment of habitats was taken in association withutilizing “lost” Penticton riparian areas of the Okanaganriver system and existing oxbows. TEK was utilized in thecreation of a management plan for the Spotted Lake andassociated drainage system to include antelope brush habitaton how these habitats interface directly and border andprovide an interesting overlap of habitats where a "systems"based approach is taken.

The En'owkin Centre hosts TEK capacity building withinthe South Okanagan/Similkameen. The SOS TEKcommittees also provides advice to the SouthOkanagan/Similkameen bands and the Okanagan NationAlliance in any capacity they require for referrals andassessments, mapping traditional use areas; thedevelopment of TEK Management Plans and the provisionof TEK Terms of Reference, as an active component of theSouth Okanagan Similkameen Syilx EnvironmentalCommittee (SOSSEC).

Lillian Gottfriedson is engaged as the TEKtechnician/coordinator assisting in the coordination of themeetings of the TEK advisory councils in liaison with theBand Council and community members and RichardArmstrong provides TEK biologist advice.

13

One of the many definitions for stewardship is “the carefuland responsible management of something entrusted toone's care.” The members of SOSCP Stewardship Teamwork in partnership with owners and managers of privateland to help support their voluntary stewardship efforts. In2007-2008, there was a continued focus on habitat whichsupports species at risk.

This was the 14 year of the SOS Stewardship Program,which provides information, support, and resources toindividual private landowners. The Land Conservancyhas been administering the program since 2000, and isgrateful for the ongoing financial support of EnvironmentCanada's Habitat Stewardship Program, the HabitatConservation Trust Fund, TD Friends of the Environment,and our many partners and supporters. Contact wasmaintained with 134 landowners in a variety of habitattypes. This included site visits, native plant re-vegetationprojects, removal of invasive plants, and advice on habitatmanagement. 550 landowners received information aboutthe program, species at risk, and habitat relevant to theirgeographic area. In collaboration with other partners, theSOS Stewardship Program also delivered five communitystewardship events featuring various topics relating tospecies at risk and community-specific issues such ashabitat-sensitive fire management.

The Conservation Partners Program is delivered by TLCaround the province, and recognises agriculturallandowners who practise sustainable farming methods,including the stewardship of natural habitat. There were 13active partners in the South Okanagan-Similkameen areathis year.

South Okanagan Similkameen (SOS) StewardshipProgram & Conservation Partners Program

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TLC

TEWARDSHIPSWildlife Tree Stewardship Program (WiTS)This was a successful pilot year for the Wildlife TreeStewardship Program in the Okanagan- Similkameen(WiTS-OS). The program extended from Osoyoos north toKelowna and west to Keremeos, and received monetary aidfrom three funding agencies: Nature Canada, BC Hydro andthe Mountaineers Foundation. In 2007 we were able torecruit and train volunteer monitors, coordinate withspecies experts, undertake a youth mentoring program andbegin a monitoring program targeting four bird species atrisk: Western Screech-owl, Williamson's Sapsucker, Lewis'sWoodpecker and Flammulated Owl. Emphasis this yearwas on monitoring the re-occupancy of nest sites byLewis's Woodpecker. The program was closely linked withPartners in Flight, as well as the South Okanagan andOliver-Osoyoos Naturalists Clubs, with members from eachclub participating in the program. With the assistance of aParks and People Program grant from Nature Canada,WiTS-OS was able to acquire all the necessary equipmentto effectively conduct the monitoring program this year, andfor many years to come.

Invasive Plant Education & CoordinationInvasive plant education and coordination continues to be afunction of the South Okanagan-Similkameen InvasivePlant Society (SOSIPS) and the Regional DistrictOkanagan-Similkameen (RDOS). The RDOS introducedthe Dirty Dozen booklet, Weed Warrior activity book foryouth, and a variety of species-specific fact sheets whichwere posted on their website. The most successful outreachpublications were a series of 17 'Weed of the Week' articleswritten by the Coordinator, Lisa Scott, and published in thePenticton Herald newspaper. Warren the Weed Warrior . thenew mascot, was unveiled at the Penticton Peach Festival.The RDOS partnered with SOSIPS to organize two fielddays that focused on biological control. The Coordinatordelivered presentations to a number of groups and at

2007-2008 Annual Report 14

TEWARDSHIPScommunity events. The bully plant program continues to bepopular with elementary students. Direct assistance wasprovided to 124 landowners or land managers, in the formof invasive plant identification and technical advice onmanagement options. Biological control agents werereleased to control hound's-tongue, St. John's wort, purpleloosestrife, spotted and diffuse knapweed. SOSIPSmanaged the third successful year of the CooperativePuncturevine Project, in cooperation with municipal PublicWorks Departments and the Ministry of Transportation.Additionally, SOSIPS participated in the fourth year of theWeeds Cross Borders project, which aims to achieve along-term management plan and course of action to controlinvasive plants traveling across the border between BC andWashington.

In the lower valley south of Okanagan Falls, only twelvebreeding sites for the Threatened Great Basin Spadefootand six breeding sites for the Endangered Tiger Salamanderwere detected from 2003 to 2006.As of spring 2008, thenumber of ponds artificially constructed and enhanced isnow up to fourteen. This has more than doubled the numberof potential breeding sites available to the Spadefoot. Manythanks are due to the private landowners who are generousenough to set aside space on their property and welcomeamphibians to their land.

Over the next twelve months thePuddles for Peepers project will continue to monitor thenatural and new sites, enhance wetlands through removal of

Wetland Restoration & Amphibian Monitoring

In 2007-8, the Puddles for Peepers project presented 35outreach events with up to 75 participants for each event.Eleven articles were published by various media outlets,and the results of the project were delivered at twoscientific conferences.

infill and garbage, native plantings, and exploring theplacement of sandy areas in the upland habitat. Amphibiansare on the right road, but by no means out of danger.

This project, involving the fencing of riparian areas toprevent damage from livestock, has been very successful.The project is funded by the Habitat Stewardship Programand administered by The Nature Trust of BC. This past year,four fencing projects were completed, with three in theOliver area and one at Cawston. Total habitat protected bythis year's project is 13.2 hectares (32.6 acres), consisting ofriparian thickets and wetlands, with a history of livestockgrazing. The focal species for habitat protection on thisproject are Yellow-breasted Chat and Western Screech Owl,although benefits from the project are equally important to abroad range of species at risk.

The Nature Trust of BC, with partner funding from the BCConservation Corps, the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund,and Human Resources Development Canada, employed aconservation youth crew consisting of 6 individuals from

Riparian Rehabilitation in the South Okanagan-LowerSimilkameen

Nature Trust Conservation Crews

Bat Conservation

The South Okanagan-Similkameen Community Bat Projectwas initiated this summer to identify bat roosts on privateland and assist landowners with roost conservationstrategies. The project offered a unique multi-disciplinaryapproach to bat research, education and conservation. Thiswas achieved through hosting public events, as well as sitevisits, which identify bat species, collect biological data,and provide rare close up educational experiences tolandowners.

SOSCP

15

May through September. The conservation crew conducteda variety of land management activities on conservationlands throughout the Okanagan-Similkameen, includingfencing, invasive plant inventory and removal, speciesinventories, habitat monitoring, and rubbish removal.

Years of careful planning has culminated in work beginningon the restoration of 1 km of the Okanagan River to itshistoric configuration, just north of Oliver.

The project will:Replace a km of the existing dike with a new dike setfurther back to allow the river to meander.Provide critical spawning habitat for salmon and trout.Guard against the risk of flooding.Allow the growth of indigenous riparian plantsproviding habitat for birds and mammals, includingyellow breasted chats and western screech owls.Enable riparian growth to shade the water, keeping itcooler and providing fish cover.

Okanagan River Restoration Initiative

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TEWARDSHIPS2007-2008 Annual Report 16

SOSCP

CIENCESDeveloping a “science-based” approach to conservation is acentral mandate of the SOSCP. There are manyorganizations providing scientific information for planning,priority setting, implementing conservation actions, andevaluating efforts. During the past year, members of thescientific network have been actively conducting research.

The South Okanagan Similkameen is home to adisproportionate number of species designated as “at risk”by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife inCanada (COSEWIC). Active habitat and species research isbeing conducted in this area for many species to determinetheir range, habitat needs and other impacts to theirsurvival.

The Graduate Programs at UBC Okanagan are wellunderway for Biology and Environmental Sciences. Bothprograms offer thesis –based MSc and PhD degrees and theUBC O Species at Risk and Habitat Studies Centre(SARAHS) continues to foster research connectionsbetween government, academia and conservationpractitioners. A number of graduate student projects underthe supervision and collaboration of Dr. Karen Hodges areunderway including the final completion of EmilyHerdman's Nuttall's cottontail research, Katy White'sgophersnake ecology research Canadian Wildlife Servicescientist Dr. Christine Bishop, Natalie Melaschenko'sresearch on communities and behaviour of small mammalsin response to cheatgrass abundance, and Tanis Gieselman'sresearch related to response of grassland plant communitiesto edge type and distance from edge in the south Okanaganin concert with Dr. Mark Vellend (UBC Vancouver).

A number of other research projects include invertebratepopulation viability analyses by Dr. Howie Richardson,Biology Professor at Okanagan College and invertebrate

genetic analyses through mark recapture through UBC OMathematics Professor, Sylvie Desjardin. Both CWS andthe University of Simon Fraser conducted research projectsrelated to amphibians, including Tiger Salamanders andGreat Basin Spadefoot toads. The Nk'Mip Desert andCultural Centre continued to deliver on the WesternRattlesnake telemetry research project in concert withCanadian Wildlife Service scientists, and providedhundreds of curious visitors with a real-time, live andeducational encounter with rattlesnakes at their Osoyoossite.

The BC Ministry of Environment, BC Ministry of Forestsand Range, UBC Okanagan, National Research Council,BC Conservation Corps, Conservation Data Centre,Environment Canada-Canadian Wildlife Service, andprivate forest companies have supported inventory andmonitoring for many of the species at risk in the regionincluding butterflies, freshwater mussels, rare plants,amphibians, reptiles, songbirds and owls.

Further, BC Ministry of Environment (EnvironmentalStewardship, Ecosystems, Fish and Wildlife, Parks andProtected Areas) have conducted forest restoration activitiesto restore white-headed woodpecker habitat, initiatedinvasive plant (IP) treatments in areas that have beentreated for Mountain Pine Beetle, and establish monitoringplots all in the White Lake Protected Area. Compliance andeffectiveness monitoring was also conducted within fiveWildlife Habitat Areas for gophersnakes, and monitoring ofthe Okanagan Valley bighorn sheep populations were also

Under the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA) ungulatewinter ranges were established for moose, mountain goat,mule deer and elk. Approximately 15 wildlife habitat areaswere established; focus species included Williamson'ssapsucker and yellow breasted chat. The Ministry also

17

SOSCP

CIENCESprovided input into inter-agency and local governmentreferrals where impacts to fish, wildlife and their habitatswhere significant risks were anticipated. In addition,approximately 100 ha of Sec 16 Land Act 'reserves' wereinitiated, and approximately 500 ha of South OkanaganWildlife Management Area were successfully added.

Both the BC Ministry of Environment and EnvironmentCanada, the Canadian Wildlife Service are activelydeveloping recovery strategies for species at risk in theSouth Okanagan Similkameen. There are 67 recoverystrategies on the federal registry – see

for more details.

Environment Canada – Canadian Wildlife Service, BCMinistry of Environment and the BC Conservation DataCentre undertook the development of mapping andinterpretation of sensitive ecosystems. Both spatialproducts (GIS shapefiles) and an interpretive documentcalled

were created to include also the LowerSimilkameen Valley. This mapping builds on previousterrestrial ecosystem mapping products and is a valuabletool to support sustainable land use and managementdecisions.

The accompanying conservation manual highlights theconnections between sensitive ecosystems and wildlife theysupport, provides comprehensive information about whatecosystems are of concern and why, what impacts oursensitive ecosystems and what tools are available to protectthem. The inventory results for the South Okanagan andLower Similkameen, 63.7% of the mapped area is made upof sensitive and other important ecosystems. These spatialfiles and the conservation manual are available on theProvincial Ecological Reports Catalogue website:

http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/sar/recovery/timelines_e.cfm

http://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/acat/public/search.do

Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory Okanagan Valley:Vernon to Osoyoos

Special Focus on the BC Conservation Corps Program:

The British Columbia Conservation Corps (BCCC) is anexciting provincial government established by the BCMinistry of Environment and delivered in partnership withsupport from agencies outside government such as the BCConservation Foundation, The Nature Trust of BC and theBC Wildlife Federation for much of the daily management.The program provides work opportunities for students andrecent graduates who may be considering a career in theenvironmental sector.

Projects undertaken within this program provide Corpsmembers a chance to gain valuable, first-hand experience ina wide variety of scientific and technical roles that willcontribute to conserving and enhancing British Columbia'senvironment. Participants make an important contributionto environmental conservation, protection and stewardship,while building relationships with various partners of therespective regions.

In the 2007/08 year, six projects were supported in theOkanagan region. Here are the summaries of the workundertaken:

This project addressed three distinct areas of work. Thefirst part focused on increasing user safety and reducingmultiple user conflicts and environmental impacts for 34popular mountain bike trails in four North Okanagan parksand protected areas. The second component was aimed atcollecting information on the Okanagan Lake recreationalfishery in support of sustaining the kokanee fishery, as wellas, promoting compliance with foreshore developmentregulations. Lastly, the project aimed to establishvegetation and fuels monitoring plots and conducted pre

Okanagan Bike Trail, Fisheries and Burn MonitoringProject

2007-2008 Annual Report 18

SOSCP

CIENCESand post treatment assessment of plant communitystructure, woody fuel load, and wildlife speciespresence/response.

In this project crews concentrated on collecting inventoryinformation for ten butterfly species, four mussels species,and one terrestrial beetle species. This project aimed atimproving understanding of both the location of speciesoccurrences and of the species distribution, and ensuringthat conservation status ranking and management decisionsare based on information that is current and accurate. Thespecies inventoried included invertebrates that are eitherCOSEWIC (Committee on the Status of EndangeredWildlife in Canada) listed or could potentially be listed.

In this project crews conducted inventory on the followingCOSEWIC listed species: Flammulated Owls, WesternScreech Owl, Spadefoot toads, Couer D'Alene Salamander,Lewis's Woodpecker, Gopher Snake, Northern PacificRattlesnake, Racer, Prairie Falcon, Grand Coulee Owl-clover, Branched Phacelia, Lyall's Mariposa Lily, ShowyPhlox, Mormon Metalmark, Behr's Hairstreak, SonoraSkipper, and Half Moon. This work will provide valuableinformation and help with the management/protection ofthese species.

This project undertook a public outreach, monitoring andcompliance program. Crews worked in conjuction with theMinistry of Environment Environmental Protectiondivision, Conservation Officer Service and the AirQuality/Waste Management divisions of the RDOS. Theaim was to reduce open air burning in agricultural and ruralhouseholds.

Invertebrates at Risk

Okanagan-Boundary Species at Risk

RDOS Air Quality

TNT South Okanagan Conservation

Learn to Fish

The Nature Trust works as a partner with the BCConservation Corps. The work carried out by crews thisyear included protecting and restoring critical habitat forSpecies at Risk through surveys and inventories,mechanical control of invasive alien plant species andmanaging parks/protected areas. The work was mainlyconcentrated in the South Okanagan and crewsoccasionally provided support with conducting fisheriessurveys on Okanagan Lake.

The aim of this program was to increase and enhanceopportunities for recreational fishing in the province bydisseminating information and technical direction on: thebasics of angling, rod & reel use, angling safety, fishidentification, fish biology, fish anatomy andenvironmental stewardship. The project was run out ofSummerland.

19

SOSCP

UTREACHOThe SOSCP Outreach Team is dedicated to promotingeducation, extension and hands-on activities aroundconservation and sustainable development projects thatinfluence the South Okanagan and Similkameen. The goalof the Outreach Team is to foster increased awareness andparticipation amongst the communities of this region. In2007-2008, the Outreach Team was led by the OkanaganSimilkameen Conservation Alliance (OSCA) in partnershipwith many organizations and groups including theEn'owkin Center, The Land Conservancy, the SOSCPStewardship Team and SOS Stewardship, the BC Ministryof Environment, the Regional District OkanaganSimilkameen, the City of Penticton, FORREX, DucksUnlimited, Canadian Wildlife Service, Wildlife TreeProgram and The Nature Trust of BC.

This year the Meadowlark Festival celebrated its 10anniversary. The festival has become an important vehiclefor the SOSCP to engage the communities of the SouthOkanagan Similkameen to learn important messages onsustainability and conservation of the fragile landscapes ofthis region. It has also become a mainstay for out of townvisitors to learn more about this endangered area. Manythanks to all of the organizations, partners, businesses andindividuals who contributed in-kind and/or financialsupport to this major outreach event. There were a total of90 events offered at the 10 annual Meadowlark Festival.This included pre-festival events, special events, fieldevents and free community events.

Eighty-four field events were offered as the main body ofthe festival. New field events included the SustainableBuilding Tour, the Wetland Restoration Tour, Beetles in ourForest, KVR History & Birding Tour, Xeriscape Tour,

Meadowlark Festival 2007

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South Okanagan Grasslands Tour, In the Thicket of Things:the elusive, endangered Yellow Breasted Chat and a Tasteof the Okanagan. All of these events sold out and there hasbeen a demand to offer them again next year. Core fieldevents such as Saddles & Sage Horseback rides, WalkingHistorical Trails, all Birding tours, Geology tours, Hike toMacIntyre Bluff, McKinney Desert Tour, First NationsCultural events, Desert Backcountry Bike Tour, Breakfaston the Lake and the Voyageur Canoe Trip all sold out.Thank you to all the tour leaders and safety volunteers whomake these events educational, safe and fun!

The festival artist for the year was Lee Claremont, a localFirst Nations artist with the En'owkin Center. Her pieceentiltled “Meadowlarks Awaken Mother Earth to Spring”was a wonderful addition to the Meadowlark Festival art.

To commemorate the 10 Anniversary, a special ArtExhibition was hosted from May 1 to May 13 as anopportunity to pay tribute to the artists and photographerswho contributed to the Meadowlark Festival over the years.Submissions from all nine former MLF artists and from sixof the photographers made a very nice exhibition at the ArtGallery of the South Okanagan.

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Approximately 160 people attended the festival Banquet onMay 19th. Guest speaker Dick Cannings offered awonderful talk on the history of Meadowlark Festival andhis enchantment with birds. Carol Munro was an excellentemcee and Wally Hild a great auctioneer. The Silent & LiveAuction was very well put together by Barbara Bird andwas a successful fundraiser. There were approximately 60core volunteers who worked to help promote, administerand facilitate the festival. These volunteers includeapproximately 35 office volunteers, the volunteer Board ofDirectors, safety volunteers and special event volunteers.Many thanks are extended to these volunteers as withouttheir contribution, the festival would not be possible.

2007-2008 Annual Report 20

SOSCP

ECOStudies 2007

The ECOStudies program celebrated its fifth year ofdelivering environmental education programming to theyouth of the South Okanagan Similkameen. Theseprograms play an important role by teaching the studentsof this region about local species and habitats, fosteringstewardship and promoting conservation initiatives.

ECOStudies received a contribution from TD Friends ofthe Environment to assist in the development,administration & promotion of the program. DucksUnlimited and OSCA renewed their partnership for thedelivery of Project Webfoot, an outdoor wetland programat Vaseux Lake. OSCA maintained partnerships with theRDOS, SOS Bear Smart Project & the En'owkin Center.New partnerships were formed with the City of Pentictonthrough the Penticton Museum & Archives and the WaterStewardship Division. All the partnerships involve a feefor service agreement where ECOStudies promotes,administers and refers the environmental educationprograms of these organizations.

A total of 132 ECOStudies “in class” and “in nature”programs were delivered to students throughout the SouthOkanagan Similkameen. As well, there were 42 programreferrals to other organizations which means thatapproximately 3800 students throughout the valleysreceived environmental education programming.

ECOStudies educators Tanya Luszcz, Jim Shaver, RichardArmstrong, Jacquie Likins, Shauna Sprules, ThomasTumbach and Bobby Bovensi returned for the season.ECOStudies welcomed Michael Bezener, JanelleParchomchuk, Kevin Dunn, Ken Fujino and CameronBaughen to the roster of educators. A special goodbye toSherri Klein who has moved to Australia, Laure Neish who

has retired from many devoted years of environmentaleducation & interpretation and Beth Cavers who hasmoved to a new job in Summerland. All contributed theiramazing expertise and enthusiasm to their programs.

Spotlight on Species Program

The Spotlight on Species program promotes awareness andrecovery action surrounding COSEWIC designated Speciesat Risk in the South Okanagan Similkameen valleys. It isfunded by the Environment Canada Habitat StewardshipProgram. Targeted audiences and general public areengaged by attending workshops and community eventsand informed via information displays, newspaper articlesand print material.

The Spotlight on Species program hosted the followingevents in 2007: BC Rivers Day: Riparian HabitatAwareness Event, It's Not Easy Being Green”:Amphibians of the South Okanagan Similkameen, SpeciesAt Risk Information Booth At CHBA Home Show,Similkameen Environmental Expo, “People Who Care”:Environmental Expo, Western Screech Owl: RiparianAwareness Event, Species at Risk AgriculturalDisplay/Information Panels. These programs weredeveloped and managed by OSCA with support from theEn'owkin Center, the SOS Stewardship Team, The LandConservancy, Okanagan College, Sara Ashpole, the SouthOkanagan Similkameen Conservation Program, LeeMcFadyen, Dick Cannings, the Lower Similkameen IndianBand, the Penticton Indian Band, the City of Penticton,RDOS, Okanagan River Restoration Initiative, OkanaganNation Alliance, the BC Ministry of Environment, ChrisBull and FORREX.

The Spotlight on Species Media Campaign delivered twomajor articles on Badgers & Grasslands and SouthOkanagan Amphibians at Risk.

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UTREACHO21

SOSCP

UTREACHOAgriculture Environment Partnership Initiative (AEPI)

Eco-Management Workshops & Media Outreach

This was the fourth and last year of funding for thisprogram that was co -funded by the BC AgricultureCouncil, The Land Conservancy and SOS Bear SmartProgram. OSCA managed the delivery of SnakeManagement and Awareness Workshops in AgriculturalSettings with the support of the SOS Stewardship Teamand the Bear Smart Program Specialist. Theaccomplishments of this year's initiative were the deliveryof twelve field seminars to agricultural workers offered inSpanish, Punjabi and English, the delivery of fivepresentations at tree fruit and viticulture industry meetings,the production of new print material entitled “Amphibiansand Agriculture” and “Bears on your Property” as well asthe distribution of a CD resource guide entitled “Snake &Species at Risk” to agricultural advisors.

This program was designed to address conservationinitiatives and to promote environmental awareness tovarious audiences in the professional and private sectorincluding public works, development industry, agriculturalindustry and land use planning . It is funded through theEnvironment Canada Habitat Stewardship Program. Thisyear's program hosted a planning workshop entitled“Community Planning for a Green Legacy”, a presentationto the BC Home Builders Association entitled “Workingwith Nature” and hosted an awareness booth at the BCWine Grape Council Viticulture Conference on Snakes andAmphibians at Risk. A total of nineteen interviews wereconducted with key planners, politicians and agriculturalindustry leaders regarding environmental practices andinformation/resource needs.

Eco-Management also hosted a media campaign whichassisted in the completion of a public opinion poll that wascompleted with 300 residents on conservation issues in theSouth Okanagan Similkameen.

The Eco-Management media campaign had the followingarticles published in Orchard & Vine Magazine: “Snakes atRisk”, Amphibians at Risk” and “Restoring and ProtectingWetlands”.An article entitled “Snakes at Risk inAgricultural settings” was also featured in the BC GrapeGrowers' Newsletter.

2007-2008 Annual Report 22

AND SE LANNINGL U PThe Land Use Planning Team supports the goals of theSOSCP by providing tools and technical support to localgovernments in land use decision-making. The teammembers meet approximately every two months to shareideas, expertise, information, and to help ensure that thereis no duplication of resources. The team includesparticipation by Ducks Unlimited Canada (who chair theLUPT), the Grasslands Conservation Council, EnvironmentCanada, BC Ministry of Environment, Okanagan-Similkameen Conservation Alliance, the Regional Districtof Okanagan Similkameen, BC Ministry of Forests, theOkanagan Similkameen Parks Society and a representativeof the Community In Transition Program of the Real EstateFoundation.

The team was active over the year, both completing andinitiating several new projects. Some of the significantwork undertaken by the Ecological Land Use Teammembers during 2007-08 included:

The Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliancecoordinated a workshop in Oliver for local government'sAdvisory Planning Committees. The objective was toprovide local government advisory planning committeeswith capacity support with additional environmental, landuse and policy information to assist them in makingrecommendations on local land use decisions.

Team members continued to provide technical input andcomment on drafts of the RGS. In particular, efforts weremade to provide environmental criteria related to growthmanagement and environmental health policies and inundertaking the initiation of a Regional BiodiversityConservation Strategy.

Workshop for Advisory Planning Committees

Develop Conservation Policies for the South OkanaganSub-Regional Growth Strategy (RGS)

Model Green Bylaws ToolkitThe Green Bylaws Toolkit was officially launched inBritish Columbia as part of SOSCP's annual generalmeeting event last November. The toolkit provides localgovernment, and the public, with practical information forimproving protection of sensitive ecosystems and greeninfrastructure. SOSCP, through the Land Use PlanningTeam, is supporting the distribution of the toolkit to localgovernment partners in SOSCP and in organizingpresentations and assisting in developing opportunities forthe toolkit team to engage with communities to supporttheir planning efforts.

Health of Our Watersheds Project

This project was undertaken in 2007-08 as a centennialproject for the community of Naramata as a partnershipbetween the Ministry of Environment and local communitygroups. The objectives were to provide an educationalopportunity for the community to learn about the value androle of watersheds in our communities by collecting data onbenthic invertebrates in the three major creeks as anindicator of relative stream health. This data would allowcomparison with other creeks in the Okanagan and toestablish a baseline in order to be able to compare changesin the health of these creeks over time. The communityprovided active participation in the data collection ofbenthic invertebrates and provided funding for the analysisof the samples. MOE assisted in the sample collection andinterpretation of data (providing a benthic index ofbiological integrity). The data was presented at acommunity forum that had over 100 people in attendance.

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AND SE LANNINGL U PDeveloping Sustainable Land Use Planning Capacity forLocal and Regional Government

SOSCP and the Green Bylaws Toolkit initiative partneredwith the Summerland Environmental Science Group toprovide a policy review and technical support in the formof environmentally sensitive area mapping and acomplimentary host of draft bylaw language and guidelinesto the District of Summerland as part of the review andupdate of their Official Community Plan. This project isjust one part of our initiative to provide capacity buildingsupport for local governments that will lead to improvedlocal government policies for protecting sensitiveecosystems.

2007-2008 Annual Report 24

ABITAT ECUREMENTH SThe purpose of the Habitat Securement Team is to workstrategically and cooperatively to secure land and interestsin land, to conserve natural habitats and priorityecosystems, as well as ensuring their appropriatemanagement.

The Habitat Securement Team is comprised of a number ofagencies and organizations involved in land securement,including Ducks Unlimited Canada, The Nature Trust ofBritish Columbia, The Nature Conservancy of Canada, TheLand Conservancy, Environment Canada, Ministry ofEnvironment, and the Okanagan Region Wildlife HeritageFund Society.

The Habitat Securement Team has been actively working tosecure critical habitat in the South Okanagan -Similkameen. There are currently over 54,000 hectares ofconservation land held by partners in the South OkanaganSimilkameen Conservation Programs. There are, however,many critical habitats that still require protection.Overwhelming development pressures have resulted inmany critical habitat lands being priced out of reach forconservation agencies. This means that alternatesecurement initiatives, such as covenants, donations, andpartnerships are more important than ever.

The Nature Trust of BC received a generous donation ofland from Patricia and Jim Ryder, to protect it from

development and to provide a sanctuary for wildlife and

plants. The 5.18 hectare (12.8 acre) property is located inPeachland adjacent to Okanagan Lake. The terrain is rocky

with Ponderosa pine, bluffs and outcroppings and grasslandbench areas. The property includes 1,435 feet of lakeshore

frontage. The forested portions of the property offer habitatfor various species of woodpeckers including the Lewis's

woodpecker. Several rock outcroppings and bluffs are ideal

habitat for snakes and reptiles. Ephemeral streams provide

forage, cover and habitat for amphibians, reptiles, birds andmammals.

The Nature Trust of BC also received a donation of landfrom Murray LaBrash and Debbie Sharp at Rock Creek.Located in the Kettle Valley, the 31.9-hectare (78.8-acre)property is on the north side of the Crowsnest Highway 3between the communities of Rock Creek and Midway.Vegetation includes mixed grasses and scattered PonderosaPine with clumps of Douglas fir. Several large wildlifetrees, rock outcroppings and small cliffs, and an intermittentstream provide excellent wildlife habitat. This propertyprovides a refuge for wintering ungulates, bears, and otherwildlife.

In August 2007, The Land Conservancy of BC becamethe grateful recipient of just over 16 hectares of land inOkanagan Falls. The “Peach Cliff” property includesimportant habitat for California Bighorn Sheep and otherspecies at risk. Federally listed species observed on or nearthe property include Western Rattlesnake, Western Yellow-bellied Racer, Great Basin Gophersnake, Peregrine Falcon

subspecies, and Spotted Bat. Provinciallydesignated species include Prairie Falcon, Canyon Wren,White-throated Swift, and Lark Sparrow. Habitat types onthe property include cliff, talus and rock outcrop in thehigher elevations, and rocky grassland and shrub-steppe inthe lower elevations

TLC

anatum

Skaha Conservation Area Acquired

The Land Conservancy of British Columbia (TLC), TheNature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), the BC Ministry ofEnvironment (MOE) have partnered together along with

25

ABITAT ECUREMENTH Smany other supporters to purchase the 304 hectare propertyadjacent to the popular Skaha Bluffs recreational rockclimbing area. This private land, currently known as theSkaha Conservation Area, is owned and jointly managed byTLC, NCC and MOE, with strong support from The NatureTrust of British Columbia (TNT), for its importantconservation and recreation values as a Class A provincialpark, including the adjacent proposed Goal 2 Skaha Bluffssite. The property has long been a Priority 1 target on theSOSCP's securement list. The purchase of this private landwas completed in January 2008.

The property contains a wide variety of habitat types suchas Ponderosa Pine grasslands, Douglas-fir forests,Cottonwood Water Birch riparian plant communities,shrub-steppe, rugged terrain, creeks and wetlands. Thisdiversity of habitat types supports a large number ofspecies at risk known to occur on the property includingWestern Screech Owl (Endangered), Fringed Myotis(Imperiled/Vulnerable), Western Yellow-bellied Racer(Special Concern), Western Rattlesnake (Threatened),Western Skink (Special Concern), at least three rare plantspecies (Critically Imperiled and Vulnerable) andCalifornia Bighorn Sheep (Imperiled/Vulnerable) . Theproperty is considered very important for CaliforniaBighorn Sheep, containing valuable summer range overmost of the property, and critical winter range at low to midelevations. The property provides a vital travel corridor forthe Ellis Creek and Skaha East bands of sheep.

The value of this private land for wildlife is enhanced bythe fact that it is an inholding within a broader expanse thatincludes the proposed Goal 2 Skaha Bluffs Protected Areaand proposed Derenzy Wildlife Management Area. TheSkaha Conservation Area complements these areas andwithout it, the ecological values of the surrounding Crownlands would be compromised.

The Skaha Conservation Area will also be managed toprovide public access to the world renowned SkahaClimbing Bluffs.A road upgrade and parking area is beingdeveloped for recreationists to access the rock climbingarea.

Since acquisition, the co-owners have been workingtogether to develop interim management strategies for theproperty. The property (excluding the road upgrade andparking area) will be managed for non-motorized access inconsideration of its critical ecological values. Creation of aManagement Plan will commence in 2009.

2007-2008 Annual Report 26

ARTNER NFORMATIONP IBC Conservation Foundation

BC Lake Stewardship Society

BC Ministry of Agriculture & Lands

BC Ministry of Environment

BC Ministry of Forests & Range

Barb Waters

#200A - 1383 McGill RoadKamloops, BC V2C 6K7

Phone: 250.828.2551Fax: 250.828.2597

kamloops@bccf.comwww.bccf.com

Carolyn Johns

4 -552 West AveKelowna, BC, V1Y 4Z4

Tel: 250.717.1212Fax: 250.717.1226

Email:carolynj-bclss@shaw.caWebsite: www.bclss.org

Lands: Jerry Johnson

1259 Dalhousie DriveKamloops BC, V2C 5Z5

Email: Jerry.Johnson@gov.bc.caAgriculture: Carl Withler

200-1690 Powick RdKelowna BC

Email:carl.withler@gov.bc.caWebsite: www.gov.bc.ca/agf/

Grant Furness

102 Industrial AvePenticton, BC, V2A 7C8

Tel: (250) 490-8277Fax: (250) 490-2231

Email: grant.furness@gov.bc.caWebsite: www.gov.bc.ca/wlap/

Alex McLean

102 Industrial PlacePenticton, BC, V2A 7C8

Tel: (250) 490-2222Fax: (250) 490-2231

Email: Alex.Mclean@gov.bc.caWebsite: www.gov.bc.ca/for/

Regional Manager

Director

Section Head

Stewardship Coordinator

Acting Regional Manager

Range Officer

BC Wildlife Federation

BC Wildlife Federation – Okanagan Region

Burrowing Owl Conservation Society of BC

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society –BC Chapter

Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Paul McLean

RR 1, Site 105, Comp. 4Keremeos, BC, V0X 1N0

Tel: 250.499.0099Email: pmclean1@telus.netWebsite: www.bcwf.bc.ca

Joan McKay

51-1840 Oliver Ranch RoadOkanagan Fall, BC, V0H 1R0

Tel: (250) 497-7031Fax: (250) 497-7032

Email: mandjmckay@shaw.caWebsite: www.bcwf.bc.ca

Mike Mackintosh

2165 Palmerston AvenueWest Vancouver, BC, V7V 2V7

Tel: (604) 257-8528Cell: (604) 512-4796Fax: (604) 922-6502

Email: macbeagle@telus.netWebsite:www.burrowingowlbc.org

John and Mary Theberge

RR3, Site 25, Comp. 82Oliver, BC, V0H 1T0Tel: (250) 498-5432Fax: (250) 498-5432

Email: johnmarythe@explorenet.comWebsite: www.cpaws.org

Adrian Wall

1751 10 Ave, SWSalmon Arm, BC, V1E 4P3

Tel: (250) 804-7008Fax: (250) 804-7010

Email: WallA@pac.dfo-mpo.gc.caWebsite: www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Provincial Representative

President, Okanagan Region; BCWF

Executive Director

CPAWS Representatives

Habitat Management Biologistth

Destination Osoyoos

District of Summerland

Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory

Ducks Unlimited Canada

En'Owkin Centre

Environment Canada – Canadian WildlifeService Pacific Yukon Region

Glenn Mandziuk

9912 Hwy 3,Osoyoos, BC, V0H 1V0

Tel: (250) 495-3366Fax: (250) 495-8081

Email: glenn@osoyoos.caWebsite: www.destinationosoyoos.com

13211 Henry AveSummerland, BC V0H 1Z0

Tel: (250) 404-4040Website: www.summerland.ca

Dr. Tom Landecker717 White Lake Rd.

Penticton, BC, V2A 6J9Tel: (250) 490-4304

Email: tom.landecker@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

Brad Arner

954-A Laval CrescentKamloops, BC, V2C 5P5

Tel: (250) 374-8307Fax: (250) 374-6287

Email: b_arner@ducks.caWebsite: www.ducks.ca

Jeannette Armstrong

RR2, Site 50, Comp. 8Penticton, BC, V2A 6J7

Tel: (250) 493-7181Fax: (250) 493-5302

Email: enowkin@vip.netWeb: www.enowkincentre.ca

Barry Smith

Tel: (604) 940-4700Fax: (604) 946-9022

Email: Barry.Smith@ec.gc.caWebsite:www.pyr.ec.bc.ca/en.wildlife/

Executive Director

Manager of Conservation Programs,Canadian Intermountain

Executive Director

Regional Director

SOSCP

27

Federation of BC Naturalists

FORREX

FORREX Head Office

Grasslands Conservation Council of BC

Habitat Conservation Trust Fund

The Land Trust Alliance of BC

Bob Handfield

P.O. Box 2007Penticton, BC V0H 8K3

Tel: (250) 497-8702Email: bobnmarg@telus.net

Website: www.naturalists.bc.ca

Chris Hollstedt

Suite 702, 235 1st AvenueKamloops, BC, V2C 3J4

Tel: (250) 371-3929Email: chris.hollstedt@forrex.org

Website: www.forrex.org

Bruno Delesalle

954 A Laval CrescentKamloops, BC, V2C 5P5

Tel: 250-374-5787Fax: 250-374-6287

Email: bruno.delesalle@bcgrasslands.orgWebsite: www.bcgrasslands.org

Brian Springinotic

100 - 333 Quebec StVictoria, BC, V8V 1W4

Tel: (250) 356-6124Toll free: 1-800-387-9853

Fax: (250)952-6684Email: brian.springinotic@hctf.ca

Website: www.hctf.ca

Shelia Harrington

204-338 Lower Ganges Rd.Salt Spring Island BC, V8K 2V3

Tel: (250) 538-0112Fax: (250) 538-0172

Email: sheila@landtrustalliance.bc.caWebsite: www.landtrustalliance.bc.ca

Regional Representative

Chief Executive Officer

Executive Director

Manager

Executive Director

North Central Washington ResourceConservation and Development Council

Okanagan Collaborative ConservationProgram

Okanagan College

Okanagan Region Wildlife HeritageFund Society

Okanagan SimilkameenConservation Alliance

Jay Kehne

2 Ave South, Suite 101Okanogan, Washington

98840 USATel: (509) 422-2750 ext 107

Email: jay.kehne@wa.usda.gov

Magnus Bein

Tel: (250) 545-0504Email: occp123@gmail.com

Website: www.okanagan.bc.ca

Kaya Forest

583 Duncan Ave WestPenticton, BC, V2A 8E3

Tel: (250) 492-4305Fax: (250) 492-3950

Email: KForest@okanagan.bc.caWebsite: www.okanagan.bc.ca

John Holdstock

1326 Scott CrescentKelowna, BC, V1A 2P7

Tel: (250) 769-3952Fax: (250) 769-0727

Email: jbholdstock@shawcable.com

Kaya Forest

Penticton, BC, V2A 8K3Tel: (250) 492-4422

Toll free: 1-866-699-9453Fax: (250) 492-5275

Email: kforest@okanagan.bc.caWebsite: www.osca.org

Executive Director

Coordinator

Biology Professor

Treasurer

ChairBox 20133

nd

Okanagan Similkameen Parks Society

Osoyoos Desert Society

Osoyoos Indian Band

Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society

Osoyoos Oxbows Restoration Society

Sheila White

P.O. Box 787Summerland, BC, V0H 1Z0

Tel: (250) 494-8996Email: anglerem@telus.net

Denise Eastlick

P.O. Box 123Osoyoos, BC, V0H 1V0

Tel: (250) 495-2470Toll free: 1-877-899-0897

Fax: (250) 495-2474Email: mail@desert.org

Website: www.desert.org

Charlotte Sanders

RR3, Site 25, Comp 1Oliver, BC, V0H 1T0Tel: (250) 495-7901Fax: (250) 495-7912

Email: csanders@oib.caWebsite: www.oib.ca

Michelle Jefferson

P.O. Box 1382Osoyoos, B.C., V0H 1V0

Tel: (250) 495-3134Report Hotline: (250) 495-3366

Fax: (250) 495-3392E-mail: mic jef@telus.netWebsite: www.olwqs.org

Eike Scheffler

Sherry Linn

PO Box 535Osoyoos, BC, V0H 1V0

Tel: (250) 495-7891Email: eike@vip.net

Secretary of Membership

Executive Director

OIB CouncilExecutive Director

Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre

Director

President

Secretary/Treasurer

ARTNER NFORMATIONP I

SOSCP

2007-2008 Annual Report 28

Pacific Salmon Foundation

Partners in Flight

Penticton Museum and Archives

Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen

Royal BC Museum

Paul Kariya

300 – 1682 West 7 AveVancouver, BC, V6J 4S6

Tel: (604) 664-7664Fax: (604) 664-7665

Email: pkariya@psf.caWebsite: www.psf.ca

Tanya Luszcz

102 Industrial PlacePenticton, BC, V2A 7C8Phone: 250-490-8286

Fax: 250-490-2231Email: Tanya.Luszcz@gov.bc.ca

Website: www.pifbcyukon.org

Peter Ord

785 Main StPenticton, BC, V2A 5E3

Tel: (250) 490-2451Fax: (250) 492-0440

Email: peter.ord@penticton.caWebsite: www.penticton.ca/museum

Dan Ashton

101 Martin StPenticton BC V2A 5J9

Toll Free: 1.877.610.3737Phone 250-492-0237

Email:dashton@rdos.bc.caWebsite: www.rdos.bc.ca

Rob Cannings

675 Belleville StreetVictoria, BC, V8W 9W2

Tel: (250) 356-8242Toll free: 1-888-447-7977

Fax: (250) 356-8197Email: rcannings@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca

Website: www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca

Executive Director

BC/Yukon Great Basin Program Manager

Manager/Curator

RDOS Chair

Curator of Entomology

th

Southern Interior Bluebird Trail Society

South Okanagan Rehabilitation Centre for Owls

The Land Conservancy of BC

The Nature Conservancy of CanadaBC Region

The Nature Conservancy – Washington State

Lee McFadyen

P.O. Box 494Oliver, BC, V0H 1T0Tel: (250) 495-7891

Email: mariposaorgf@hotmail.comWebsite: www.bcbluebirds.org

Ken Fujino

P.O. Box 1166Oliver, BC, V0H IT0Tel: (250) 498-4251Cell: (250) 488-5435Fax: (250) 485-0188

Email: sorco@telus.netWebsite: www.sorco.org

Bill Turner

301-7195 Esquimalt Rd.Victoria, BC, V9A 3N6

Tel: (250) 479-8053Email: bturner@conservancy.bc.caWebsite: www.conservancy.bc.ca

Barbara Pryce

RR1 S6 C1, Kaleden, BC V0H 1K0Tel: (250) 497-8010Cell: (250) 487-8852Fax: (250) 497-8014

Email: Barbara.Pryce@natureconservancy.caWebsite: www.natureconservancy.ca

217 Pine Street, Suite 1100Seattle, WA, 98101Tel: (206) 343-4344Fax: (206) 343-5608

Website:

President

Manager

President/Executive Director

Okanagan Program Manager

www.tnc-washington.org

The Nature Trust of BC

Town of Oliver

Town of Osoyoos

University of British Columbia

University of British Columbia – Okanagan

Jim Hope

260 – 1000 Roosevelt CrescentNorth Vancouver, BC, V7P 3R4

Tel: (604) 924-9771Toll free: 1-866-288-7878

Fax: (604) 924-9772Email: jhope@naturetrust.bc.caWebsite: www.naturetrust.bc.ca

35016 – 97 StreetPO Box 638

Oliver, BC V0H 1T0Tel: (250) 485-6200

Website: www.oliver.ca

Box 3010, 8711 Main StreetOsoyoos, BC V0H 1V0

Tel: (250) 495-6515Website: www.osoyoos.ca

Dr. Tom Sullivan

180B-2357 Main MallVancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4

Tel: (604) 822-6873Fax: (604) 822-2184

Email: tomsu@interchange.ubc.caWebsite: www.agsci.ubc.ca

Karen Hodges

Bert Brink Canada Research Chair inConservation Biology

University of Brit ish Columbia Okanagan3333 University Way

Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7Tel: (250) 807-8763

Fax: (250) 807- 8005Email: karen.hodges@ubc.ca

Website: www.ubc.ca/okanagan

Land Manager

Professor of Agroecology

Assis tant Professor, Biology

th

ARTNER NFORMATIONP I

SOSCP

29

SOSCP Chair

Program Coordinator

Land Use Planning Team

Outreach Team

Carl MacNaughton

RR#2, Site 42, Comp. 17Oliver, BC, V0H 1T0Tel: (250) 498-5474Fax: (250) 498-5475

Email: cmacnaughton@cablerocket.comWebsite: www.naturetrust.bc.ca

Bryn White

102 Industrial AvePenticton, BC V2A 7C8

Tel: (250) 490-8225Fax: (250) 490-2231

Email: Bryn.White@gov.bc.caWebsite: www.soscp.org

Rob Hawes

c/o 2690 Noyes RoadNaramata, BC V0H 1N0

Tel: (250) 496-4374Fax: (250) 496-1314

Email: hawesra@shaw.ca

Kaya Forest

Penticton, BC, V2A 8K3Tel: (250) 492-4422

Toll free: 1-866-699-9453Fax: (250) 492-5275

Email: KForest@okanagan.bc.caWebsite: www.osca.org

The Nature Trust of British Columbia

South Okanagan SimilkameenConservation Program

Ducks Unlimited Canada

Okanagan Similkameen Conservation AllianceBox 20133

Science Network

Habitat Securement Team

Stewardship Team

Traditional Ecological Knowledge Team

Orville Dyer

102 Industrial AvePenticton, BC V2A 7C8

Tel: (250) 490-8200Fax: (250) 490-2231

Email: orville.dyer@gov.bc.caWebsite: www.soscp.org

Carl MacNaughton

RR#2, Site 42, Comp. 17Oliver, BC, V0H 1T0Tel: (250) 498-5474Fax: (250) 498-5475

Email: cmacnaughton@cablerocket.comWebsite: www.naturetrust.bc.ca

Lucy Reiss

210-262 Main StPenticton, BC, V2A 5B2

Tel: (250) 492-0173Fax: (250) 492-0176

Email: ASkinner@conservancy.bc.caWebsite: www.conservancy.bc.ca

Jeannette Armstrong

Address: RR2, Site 50, Comp. 8Penticton, BC, V2A 6J7

Tel: (250) 493-7181Fax: (250) 493-5302

Email: enowkin@vip.netWeb: www.enowkincentre.ca

BC Ministry of Environment

The Nature Trust of British Columbia

Stewardship Coordinator

En'Owkin Centre

EAM NFORMATIONSOSCP T I

SOSCP

2007-2008 Annual Report 30

BC Conservation FoundationBC Lake Stewardship Society

BC Ministry of Agriculture & LandsBC Ministry of Environment

BC Ministry of Forests & RangeBC Wildlife Federation

BC Wildlife Federation, Okanagan RegionBurrowing Owl Conservation Society of BC

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society –BC ChapterDepartment of Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Destination OsoyoosDistrict of Summerland

Dominion Radio Astrophysical ObservatoryDucks Unlimited Canada

En'Owkin CentreEnvironment Canada – Canadian Wildlife Service

Federation of BC Naturalists, Thompson-Okanagan RegionForest Research Extension PartnershipGrasslands Conservation Council of BC

Habitat Conservation Trust FundNorth Central Washington Resource Conservation Development Council

Okanagan Collaborative Conservation ProgramOkanagan College

Okanagan Region Wildlife Heritage Fund SocietyOkanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance

Okanagan Similkameen Parks SocietyOsoyoos Desert Society

Osoyoos Indian BandOsoyoos Lake Water Quality Society

Osoyoos Oxbows Restoration SocietyPacific Salmon Foundation

Partners in FlightPenticton Museum and Archives

Royal BC MuseumRegional District Okanagan-SimilkameenSouthern Interior Bluebird Trail Society

South Okanagan Rehabilitation Centre for OwlsTown of Oliver

Town of OsoyoosThe Land Conservancy (TLC) of BC

The Land Trust Alliance of BCThe Nature Conservancy Canada

The Nature Conservancy, Washington StateThe Nature Trust of BC

University of British Columbia, Faculty of Land and Food SystemsUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan

Please visit for links and informationwww.soscp.org

OUTH KANAGNAN IMILKAMEEN ONSERVATION

ROGRAM ARTNERS

S O S CP P

2007 - 2008 Annual Report

Coordination is a key principle of the Program

If you, or your organization, would like to support the coordinating functions ofthe SOSCP, please contact us:

South Okanagan-SimilkameenConservation Program

Bryn WhiteProgram Coordinator

Phone: 250.490.8225Cell: 250.462.7322

Email: bryn.white@gov.bc.caWebsite: www.cfso.net

Conserving Canada’s Desert Country

Environmental Legacy Fund

Bruce JohnsonExecutive Manager

P.O. Box 24081Penticton, BC V2A 8L9Phone: 250.493.9311Email: info@sfso.net

Website: www.cfso.net

2007 - 2008 Annual Report