Mahoney Lake. Photo credit: Drew Desharnais
South Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Program
September 2016 Newsletter
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 Link to SOSCP web site
SOSCP accepts organization or individual donations and issues tax receipts. Send
"Contribution to SOSCP"
RDOS 101 Martin Street, Penticton BC V2A 5J9 |
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Program Manager's Message
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September is such a great month for conservation with all kinds of events and opportunities for getting involved in nature appreciation and hands on projects. See below for ideas.
This fall is also the time that the Conservation Fund outreach program starts. Watch for the launch of the new Conservation Fund webpage later this month.
If you would like to be involved in spreading the Conservation Fund word through your networks, contact us see what you can do to help. bryn.white@gov.bc.ca
Bryn White, SOSCP Program Manager
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Partner News
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15 Years of Restoring Salmon Habitat in the q̓awsitkw/Okanagan River - workshop
The Okanagan Nation Alliance and Newbury Hydraulics are pleased to announce the up-coming workshop "15 Years of Restoring Salmon Habitat in the q̓awsitkw/Okanagan River" taking place in Penticton on October 18 & 19, 2016. The Okanagan Nation Alliance in collaboration with many project partners have been successfully restoring spawning and rearing habitat for Columbia River sockeye in their Canadian headwaters. Best management practices, measured stream geometry templates and the re-creation of natural habitat features have guided the restoration work. The workshop will discuss the stream analysis and hydraulics that directed the restoration designs and describe the planning, construction, monitoring methods and successful results. For more information and registration, please contact Camille Rivard-Sirois at crivard@syilx.org. Details here. Photo: Columbia River Salmon Ceremony, courtesy Okanagan Nation Alliance.
 Friends of the Oxbows (FOTO) Penticton -
Call for Volunteers Friends of the Oxbows (FOTO) has achieved major success in preserving the Penticton Oxbows! The City of Penticton, in cooperation with the Penticton Indian Band and FOTO are ready to undertake the sediment removal for the Brandon Avenue Oxbow. To assist in this accomplishment, they are calling for volunteers to help check the main oxbow access points for the presence of turtles or other small animals inside silt and small animal fencing. Volunteers are needed for a few hours next week during the hours of 7 am to 4 pm, Tuesday September 13 to Wednesday September 15. If you are able to help, please contact Bob Anderson at joybob@shaw.ca or phone 250.492.2493. Photo courtesy Friends of the Penticton Oxbows.
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Upcoming Events and Workshops
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September 10 Digging for Habitat: Sage and Sparrow
Burrowing Owl Conservation Society of BC invites volunteers to help install burrows for burrowing owls September 10th from 9:30 am to 2 pm at the Sage and Sparrow Conservation Area. These small, long-legged owls who nest in the ground are currently extirpated (locally extinct) in BC. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is partnering with the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society of BC to reintroduce these owls to BC's grassland ecosystems. More information here. Photo credit: Evanne Barrett
 September 16 to 18 Okanagan Nation Salmon Feast and CelebrationThe 2016 Okanagan Nation Salmon Feast & Celebration takes place September 16 to 18, 2016 at sx̌ʷəx̌ʷnitkʷ Provincial Park, in Okanagan Falls, BC. One of the goals of the Okanagan Nation is to preserve the traditions and culture of the Syilx people. They hope to carry on the work that the Elders started and continue with snxa?l'iwlem (honouring the sacredness of the river), by having Syilx people gathered at a traditional fishing camp. This event is free and open to the public. Arts and Crafts Vendors will be on site with Children's activities taking place Saturday afternoon and all day on Sunday. Details here.
September 17 Environment and Climate Change Canada at Penticton Farmers' Market
Want to learn about the species at risk in our area? Visit staff from Environment and Climate Change Canada at their booth at the Penticton Farmers' Market on Saturday, September 17th from 8:30 am to 1 pm. Learn about many of the endangered, threatened, and special concern birds, plants and other wildlife in our area and what can be done to help them. For more information contact Jennie Friesen at Jennie.Friesen@ canada.ca. Photo: Lewis's Woodpecker is protected under the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA). Photo courtesy The Nature Trust of BC.
 September 18 Riverside Restoration ProjectOkanagan Similkameen Stewardship is proud to partner with TD Friends of the Environment Foundation and the City of Penticton for the 7th annual TD Tree Days taking place September 18th from 9 am to noon. Volunteers are invited to help plant over 550 shrubs at Riverside Park located on the west side of Riverside Drive in Penticton. To register go to tdtreedays.com and follow the links. Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear appropriate footwear and bring gloves and a shovel. For more information contact Lia McKinnon, Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship at (250) 809-4195. Photo courtesy TD Tree Days, TDFEF.
September 25 OSCA Migratory Bird Program
Family Day
Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance (OSCA) is hosting a Family Day in conjunction with its second Migratory Bird School Program at the Vaseux Lake Bird Observatory (VLBO). Join us Sunday September 25th from 9 am to noon for an opportunity to see birds being banded, go on a guided walk with nature interpreters and learn about birds and bird migration. The site is rustic with uneven terrain and narrow pathways (not wheelchair accessible) and there is a portable washroom on site. Parking is available on the west side of Hwy 97 at the kiosk parking lot just south of the site or at a clearing just north of the site. Learn more about OSCA's ECOstudies programs here. For more information contact Jayme Friedt at OSCAecostudies@gmail.com. Photo credit: Karen Judenhagen.
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Funding Opportunities
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September 16 Telus Community Foundation (Thompson-Okanagan)
Community Board members choose programs that focus on youth, demonstrate social or technological innovation in program delivery, and involve arts & culture, education & sport, or health & well-being in our environment. Details.
September 19 TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TDFEF)
In celebration of Canada's 150th anniversary next year, TDFEF has announced a special round of funding focused on the revitalization, animation and stewardship of public green spaces. The foundation has combined what would have been its December 2016 and April 2017 funding rounds into a single round in February 2017. A new process for grant applications has also been introduced. Applicants with eligible projects must submit an Expression of Interest outlining the details of their project by September 19. The Expression of Interest will be reviewed and successful applicants will be invited to submit a more detailed grant application by November 21. Details and important dates here.
November 1 Wildlife Habitat Canada
Wildlife Habitat Canada (WHC) is now accepting grant funding applications for projects that will be carried out during the 2017-2018 fiscal year (April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018). WHC primarily supports projects that support the priority activities under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP), including the human dimensions goal, as well as regional and local habitat projects of importance to other migratory game birds. Application information, including eligibility and project requirements, can be viewed here.
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Local Government Events
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Link to upcoming events and meetings scheduled by south Okanagan municipalities and the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen.
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Bryn White
The South Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Program
102 Industrial Avenue, Penticton V2A 7C8 250-490-8225
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