MAP OUR MARSHES – PEACHLAND MAY 6TH
Join BCWF for this FREE one-day workshop: An introduction to wetland ecosystems, classification, values, and stewardship.
You will learn how to use basic GPS techniques to evaluate and protect wetlands in your community. This wetland mapping and rapid assessment workshop is a great one-day course for community volunteers, students, consultants, and anyone passionate about healthy watersheds. In developed areas, many of BC’s watery “kidneys” and “ecological supermarkets” have already vanished, which is why we need engaged citizens to take an active role in protecting those that remain.
For more info contact the Wetlands Education Program Coordinator, Jason Jobin, at jason.jobin@bcwf.bc.ca 1-604-882-9988 ext. 225
Sign up now, as space is limited! Registration and more information can be found at: https://MoMPeachland2018.eventbrite.ca
CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT DEC 31ST 2017-
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Contact: Donna Heard, 778-439-2066 or dheard909@eastlink.ca.
It’s that time of year, our annual Christmas Bird Count and we need some of you to help out.
In recent years the participation from our club has been dropping and we need the club members to make the count a success. You don’t have to be a birdwatcher: we’ll make sure someone is with you who can identify the birds, but just the extra set of eyes makes a huge difference.
And although the bird count is a fun event it is also a huge contribution to science. Continent-wide the data from the Christmas Bird Counts has been used in over 200 scientific reports documenting the health of our bird populations and the effects that
climate change and other factors are having on the birds. The counts are the largest citizen-based set of data for the continent and as such are an invaluable source of information for conservation groups and government agencies.
But we need the local participation to be able to cover the count area. Our local count is December 31st this year and we need people.
Can’t get out that day but you have a bird feeder?
Volunteer to help out that way. You just have to check what’s there a couple times over the day and record the numbers of the different species.
There’s also other nearby bird counts on other dates and they all need people.
If you are interested in helping out please contact me.
…… PREFER TO BE INDOORS?
There is also the post-count, where all the data is presented and tabulated.
At the Anglican Church Basement, 7200 87th Street, Osoyoos.
All the count volunteers need to be warmed and fed, so we need a few kitchen volunteers to bring soup, stews, desserts, and make tea and coffee.
Let me know what you are planning to bring: nothing too fancy, but hearty after a cold day. Desserts are welcome too!
Donna Heard 778-439-2066
Interpreters share the story of the Sockeye salmons’ 6000-km journey to the ocean and back
Oliver – Saturday October 14, 1 to 3 pm
Okanagan River Restoration Site
Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance (OSCA) and the Okanagan Nation Alliance are hosting two “Celebrate Our Salmon” open houses at the Okanagan River Restoration Initiative site just north of Oliver Saturday October 14th and the Okanagan River 
Restoration Initiative spawning beds at the Okanagan Lake dam just south of Okanagan Lake in Penticton Saturday October 21st. The public is invited to celebrate the return of sockeye salmon coming home after a 6000-kilometre journey to the ocean and back. Interpreters will be on hand to talk about the life cycle of the sockeye salmon, the challenges these fish face as they travel through different habitats and the efforts to restore spawning habitat in Oliver and Penticton.
“Unfortunately, not as many salmon entered the Columbia River this year, which may be related in part to a warmer ocean,” says Lee McFadyen who works with the Okanagan River Restoration Initiative. “Even though the run is reduced from last year, there will still be ample opportunity to witness salmon spawning.”
The events run rain or shine. For more information contact Jayme Friedt at 250-488-9894 or oscaecostudies@gmail.com.
AUG 1 – OCT 15 BIRD-BANDING STATION, VASEUX LAKE
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!
The public is invited to observe Doug Brown band birds migrating south through the valley. Especially requested are naturalist volunteers for data recording, removing birds from nets, etc.
- No special expertise is needed, but your help is.
- Bring bug spray, binoculars, lunch, and water.
- Come through the gate one kilometer north of the Vaseux Lake parking lot.
- The station is operated daily from 6 am till 11 am every day.
BioBlitz Activity Schedule
June 9, 8:30-10:00 p.m.: Night biodiversity walk
June 9, 8:30-10:00 p.m.: Counting Bats!
June 10, 8:30-10:15 a.m. (group 1); 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (group 2): Explore Birds at Vaseux Lake
June 10, 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m.: Invert Investigator for a Day: Identifying Aquatic Insects in Trout Creek
June 10, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.: Identifying Butterflies, Birds and Plants on Mt. Kobau
June 10, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.: White Lake to Mahoney Lake: the many species of the South Okanagan grasslands
June 10, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.: Botany, Birds and Butterflies at Sage and Sparrow Conservation Area
June 10, 1–3 p.m.: Awesome snakes at Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park
June 10, 2:30-4:30 p.m.: BioBlitz wrap-up event at the Penticton Museum
| Take the BioBlitz Challenge!
On June 9 and 10 join thousands of Canadians celebrating Canada’s 150th by participating in one of 8 family friendly walks and hikes organized by the Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance. The South Okanagan is only one of 24 communities across Canada to be chosen for this special event. Join local experts and naturalists to visit beautiful parks and protected spaces where you will learn to identify local species. Be the participant to take the most photos and you could win some cool prizes from the Canadian Wildlife Federation! |
HELP MAKE OKANAGAN RAIL TRAIL A REALITY!
The Okanagan Rail Trail is a greenway initiative to connect communities in the Okanagan via an abandoned CN railway.
This world-class cycling trail will be 50km in length with 24km of waterfront access over 3 lakes and will highlight traditional First Nations trails, fishing and gathering spots.
In June 2015, the City of Kelowna, District of Lake Country, the Regional District of the North Okanagan and the Province of British Columbia purchased the abandoned CN railway for $22 million. It took great cooperation between each of the governments and CN, along with strong community support to make this happen.
Securing the corridor was the first step towards creating an Okanagan Trail Legacy, connecting the Okanagan Valley with a world-class rail trail that will shape the future of the Okanagan and benefit future generations. This community greenway will provide a quality trail for cyclists, hikers, families and seniors.
CLICK FOR MORE INFO & TO DONATE!
MOUNT KOBAU STAR PARTY, OSOYOOS
JULY 22ND TO 30TH, 2017
CAMP ON A MOUNTAINTOP AND LEARN ABOUT THE STARS ABOVE YOU WITH FRIENDLY EXPERTS
An unforgettable, magical experience
Camp on top of a 6,000 ft mountain with (almost) 360-degree views.
Relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
You don’t have to come for the entire week! – Come for one night, or three or whatever works for you.
Sleep all day – or hike, or whatever you want – and view the stars by night.
No experience or telescope necessary! Beginners, kids, families welcome. Perfect for all levels of expertise.
Visit Mount Kobau Star Party website here
Facebook Page with lots of photos here
SOUTH OKANAGAN REHABILITATION CENTRE FOR OWLS (SORCO)
ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE
SUNDAY MAY 7TH, 10 AM – 3 PM
Location: 8965 Highway 97 North, Oliver
10 km north of Oliver – 10 km south of Okanagan Falls
It’s ONLY day of the year that we can open our doors to the public to see our facilities, learn about the raptors and the important work that SORCO does throughout the Okanagan.
Free parking is available, handicap accessible.
Entry to the site and BBQ is by donation. Donations are accepted by cash, credit cards, and PayPal.
In addition we have over 125 Silent Auction items. There is something for every occasion on your list! With thanks to great support from our wide community of sponsors and committed donors.
Groups and buses are welcome.
For more info, visit: https://www.sorco.org/
OKANAGAN SIMILKAMEEN CONSERVATION ALLIANCE
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING DECEMBER 3RD 2016
Please join us as we reflect on the past year and get your feedback on our plans for 2017. The meeting will be short and very sweet with the opportunity for interaction and some tasty morsels.
We have lots to tell you about including:
- A very successful 2016 Meadowlark Festival with lots of positive comments and some great suggestions for future festivals.
- A wonderful fall ecostudies program that included school field trips and family days at the VLBO bird banding station, Save our Salmon tours in Penticton and Oliver, and a number of batty programs in schools.
- And what we are looking forward to in 2017, including the exciting plans we have for celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Meadowlark Nature Festival, and plans for a unique mobile bird banding station to be built by students.
December 3, 2016
2 pm to 4 pm
The Shatford Centre
Janet Willson
OSCA Chair
chair@osca.org
TAKE BACK THE WILD – NOVEMBER 2016
PRINCETON AND PENTICTON
“Take Back the Wild” is a new CPAWS-BC project to bring a diverse group of seniors together to talk about conservation issues and learn now to take effective action by running their own campaigns. Open to all seniors!
Sessions take place over two weekends in November. The retreat-style training program is completely free. Please pass this information on to other people who might be interested!
March 2016 – Wetlands will be used to filtrate treated water in Okanagan Falls
All pictures on this site were taken by Oliver-Osoyoos Naturalists Society members
