Kim Stansfield and John Gordon, Valentine Farm

Not only has OSS had great support from funding agencies and partners, but they have received overwhelming support from volunteer private land stewards. After starting the year with 13 Wildlife Habitat Stewards, that number has grown to 40 with nearly 1100 hectares of wildlife habitat being set aside. The year has also been marked by an amazing commitment from the communities within which OSSS works. Click here to go to the OSS web site to see a slide show of the past year's work or
link to the OSS newsletter.

Garnet Valley Wildlife Habitat Protected

This past week, volunteers from the Summerland Sportsmen's Association worked alongside the Conservation Officer Service and SOSCP in Garnet Valley north of Summerland, posting signs and deactivating illegal trails. The project, partly funded by the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation Public Conservation Assistance Fund, was initiated by the Province of BC Fish and Wildlife and COs in support of new Wildlife Act Motor Vehicle Prohibition Regulations. Garnet Valley has some of the Okanagan's most valuable wildlife habitat - including south facing slopes which are ideal winter and early spring habitat for mule deer. Garnet Valley is home to conservation lands that were purchased by the Province for their extremely important value to wildlife. The valley contains sensitive wetlands, grasslands and open forests, and is a link for wildlife to connect to other important natural areas away from the Hwy 97 corridor.

Motorized vehicles cause disturbance to wildlife and have degraded habitat in Garnet due to illegal trail building. The new regulations for Garnet Valley designate open, legal routes and close illegal routes to protect wildlife and allow habitat to recover. "The success of the Ritchie Lake fencing project and the recovery of that wetland has inspired all of us, the sportsmen's club, the conservation partnership and the provincial government to keep working for habitat recovery in the Garnet", said Bryn White, SOSCP Program Manager. Violations and fines will be imposed for those who travel off the designated routes, and individuals who cause significant damage to the environment can be subject to penalties under the Forests and Range Practices Act. Anyone can report illegal activities and environmental damage by calling the RAPP line 1-877-952-RAPP (7277). 

 Ellis Creek Basin TD Tree Day

TD Tree Days in September was a sunny day that drew over 60 volunteers to come out and plant riparian shrubs and trees in the lower Ellis Creek basin, next to the City of Penticton dog park. Volunteers including the South Okanagan Young Naturalists Club, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation and SOSCP partners - City of Penticton and Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship Society. Everyone pitched in to plant native cottonwood, water birch and trembling aspen trees, as well as wild rose, dogwood and willow shrubs.