Step into the ever enchanting, ever various, South Okanagan-Similkameen panorama. This distinctive mixture of arid shrub-steppe, wetlands, and dry forest ecosystems helps one of many highest concentrations of at-risk species in Canada, with many species discovered nowhere else within the nation. The realm is widely known each Could lengthy weekend through the flagship public occasion of the Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance (OSCA), the Meadowlark Nature Pageant. Led by educated interpreters, individuals discover various ecosystems from the desert atmosphere within the south to the alpine meadows excessive above the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys.
OSCA’s “Have fun Our Salmon” discipline journey program in motion.
How did this all start?
Means again within the Nineteen Nineties, foresightful individuals have been involved about Okanagan Similkameen habitat degradation and the discount in numbers of assorted wildlife species. The South Okanagan Conservation Technique, a program initiated in 1990 by The Nature Belief of British Columbia and BC Setting, investigated methods to safe the survival of those important ecosystems. The phrase was out. Motion was wanted. Public consciousness was important. However learn how to have interaction the general public? An financial growth supervisor with the Metropolis of Penticton advised a competition celebrating the world and supplied seed cash. Okanagan residents Richard Cannings, Lisa Scott and Doreen Olson took on the mammoth activity and arranged the primary Meadowlark Nature Pageant. Individuals got here. The necessity was established. Now a physique to prepare an annual occasion and to additional conservation targets was wanted. And so OSCA was born.
Similkameen Pines individuals above the Similkameen River because it flows from Canada into Washington State, USA, throughout spring runoff. This tour was by means of a property protected for nature, first by the house owners, offered to TLC, (The Nature Belief), then The Land Conservancy of Canada and now by B.C. Parks.
The unique targets have been:
- to carry the group collectively to make sure the well being of the Okanagan Similkameen ecosystem, by making certain viable populations of all native plant and animal species supported by a enough quantity and variety of habitat.
- to offer schooling, communication providers, analysis, coordination, and management that helps and encourages group, conservation and different teams and most of the people to guard, steward and/or restore pure and cultural heritage areas within the Okanagan-Similkameen.
- to develop and promote applications that combine socio-economic and cultural wants with sound environmental rules.
Through the years, these targets have gone by means of inevitable modifications, however the core values stay the identical, as mirrored within the present applications.
After a overview of the specialization of different native organizations and of OSCA’s capability, the Board correctly selected to pay attention its vitality on outreach and schooling. Since 1998, 1000’s of individuals — together with long-time nature lovers, newbies, and kids — have loved the wonders of the Okanagan Similkameen, Syilx Tradition, and actions like plein air artwork. They arrive collectively, be taught from their chief, share their data, and are enriched by the expertise.
The 2026 Meadowlark Nature Pageant program will quickly be on-line. Come be a part of us for a number of of over 60 outside actions within the always-interesting Okanagan Similkameen.
OSCA’s different actions embody:
Ecostudies: a number of applications bringing youngsters (together with these attending College District 53 & 67, First Nations, and Various and Residence-schooled youngsters) into the outside the place they work together with wild areas, experiencing nature first hand, with an interpreter to assist them perceive what they’re experiencing.
The Vaseux Lake Fowl Observatory, a member station of the Canadian Migration Monitoring Community, is run by OSCA. From August 1 to October 15, birds are caught in mist nets, stats are taken, and the birds are banded and launched. College youngsters expertise this up shut, with delight.
My involvement with OSCA and different conservation initiatives has satisfied me that we are able to solely attain our targets by bringing the general public into the wild, sharing tales, and passing on data. For, to borrow Baba Dioum’s 1968 quote, “In the long run we are going to preserve solely what we love; we are going to love solely what we perceive; and we are going to perceive solely what we’re taught.”