As we celebrate our relationships, commitments, and our special loved ones in February, we invite you to consider how OCCP's Statement of Cooperation that 35 member organizations have committed to, outlines priorities and commitments for collaborations which help conserve the special place that we all love, the Okanagan Valley. Our Statement of Cooperation commits OCCP Partners in their belief that...

"… the Okanagan Valley natural system is a unique and special place.
The Okanagan Valley is an area of uncommon richness of biodiversity. The mixture of large lake/riparian habitats, undeveloped grasslands and dry forest habitats host species that do not occur elsewhere in Canada, making the Okanagan one of Canada’s three most endangered ecosystems with international importance. The area also forms a biological corridor that connects the shrub-steppe habitats of the Columbia Basin with the grasslands of the Thompson Valley and coniferous forests to the north."

“We see a special place where …
… the future of biodiversity is secure and the ecological integrity of the unique landscape is protected.
… species can continue to migrate between the interior of BC and the desert areas of the western United States.
… people of all ages can enjoy the natural beauty the area has to offer.
... the traditional values and knowledge of the Aboriginal people of the Okanagan are honoured and applied to new challenges.”

… it is not too late to save the natural system for our children and for their children.
We have today an opportunity for action as unique as the natural system itself. All the necessary factors for a successful conservation program are in place.... We have the desire to preserve this special place... The commitment to cooperation and partnerships is stronger than ever."

In this edition of the OCCP newsletter, you can learn more about OCCP's initiatives for the sake of our loved ones, including the feathered, furred, and leaved. Contact us today to find out how OCCP can help you meet your conservation goals.

Butterflies in your stomach?

Relationships aren't just for humans! The natural world shows us many amazing examples of diverse species forming relationships to survive, including some vulnerable species here in the Okanagan.

Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) in BC are mainly from the southern interior, and are of Special Concern, showing long-term declines of 50%-70%, related to destruction of habitat. Monarchs lay their cream coloured eggs on just one type of plant, known as milkweed. The caterpillars eat the leaves of toxic milkweed plants, and store the plant poisons in their bodies, which helps them avoid ending up in a bird's stomach. Showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) is the only native milkweed in BC, and though it can be locally common, it is threatened by development, and by weed control programs, since milkweed is considered to be a noxious weed by the agricultural industry. However, human admiration for the mighty monarchs has inspired people to plant more milkweed in their neighbourhoods. Seeds and root cuttings of this plant are best planted directly in the ground in the fall. You can watch the Monarch migration each spring at the Journey North website.

This month, the travelling gallery exhibit "How Do We Get From Here To There" will arrive at the Downtown Kelowna Branch of the Okanagan Regional Library. This exhibit tells a tale of habitat connectivity in the Okanagan, highlighting the difficulties that animals face as they migrate, and try to find water and shelter. It focuses on the interconnections between people, animals, and the environment, and it outlines ways that individuals and communities are making changes to protect habitat and wildlife corridors. You can join the over 25,000 people that have already visited this exhibit across the valley to explore the challenges animals face as they try to get from food to water to their homes, and discover ways that you can help them stay connected.

OCCP is preparing for a number of speaking engagements this spring:

Tanis will present 'The edge and beyond: conservation and the seeds of a solution' to the North Okanagan Naturalist Club on Wednesday, March 1st, 7:00 pm in the Sierra II Room at the Village Green Hotel, 27th St. at 48th Ave, and the Kelowna Garden Club meeting on March 7th. She will also speak to the Sustainability 100 class at UBCO about "Using the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy for the Okanagan Region in Environmental Policy and Planning" on March 2nd. On Saturday March 4th, Scott will address the UBC Pre-Law group about how OCCP is helping implement some of the UN sustainability goals.

We have also recently applied to represent the Okanagan region as part of the National Advisory Panel for the Pathway to Canada Target 1 of the 2020 Biodiversity Goals and Targets for Canada, which states that: "By 2020, at least 17% of terrestrial areas and inland water, and 10% of coastal and marine areas, are conserved through networks of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures."

Celebrating Wetland Protection

Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship Society (OSSS)

On February 2nd OSSS helped to celebrate the 20th Annual World Wetland Day by writing about some of their wetland activities. This annual event marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands in 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar. Wetlands are one of the most critically endangered ecosystems in the Okanagan-Similkameen region, and over 85% have been destroyed. OSSS works with wetlands across the valley, and almost half of their stewards have wetlands on their property. What does OSSS do in the wetlands they help steward? Find out here! To find out more about OSSS, see their Winter Newsletter.

Planning Toolkits - Obstacles and Solutions Survey

Okanagan Basin Water Board

Okanagan Basin Water Board is inviting people involved in planning decisions in their communities to provide input on existing toolkits and guides that contain best practices and legal approaches to help communities adapt to climate change, support conservation, and practice sustainable development. Please complete this brief survey before February 10, 2017 to provide your input.

Civic Awards Nomination Period Closing Soon

The deadline is approaching to nominate outstanding volunteers and environmentalists for a Civic & Community Award. The last day to submit nominations is Friday, Feb. 17.

The 42nd Annual Civic & Community Awards will recognize the talent, dedication and generosity of the men and women who brought recognition to Kelowna in 2016. Nomination categories include Champion for the Environment (individual and business). Nominations can be submitted online, by email or hard copy. Online nomination forms can be found on the Civic & Community Awards webpage under Our Community on kelowna.ca. Hard copy forms are available at City Hall and Parkinson Recreation Centre.

Celebrate with the finalists and recipients at the awards gala on May 10, 2017 at the Kelowna Community Theatre. Tickets will go on sale starting March 20. For more information about the awards and previous finalists, visit kelowna.ca.

What does water mean to you?

Life sustaining, thirst quenching, essential; water is precious for all living beings. The Social Life of Water is a collaborative community exhibit at the Kelowna Heritage Museum that explores fundamental relationships with water throughout the Okanagan Valley. The exhibition will use art, audio and visual media, and storytelling to explore the diverse meanings that water holds and has held for the many communities, cultures and interest groups in the valley over time. Drench yourself in this ongoing collaboration and become inspired to share your water knowledge via the online contribution form, which will inform the development of a virtual exhibition website. This fascinating, immersive exhibit will be on display until the spring of 2017 and will host a series of public events throughout this time.

The Social Life of Water has been made possible through the dedicated collaboration of a variety of partners, including: the Kelowna Museums Society, the Okanagan Nation Alliance, the UBCO Centre for Culture and Technology, the Sncewips Heritage Museum, the Okanagan Basin Water Board and WaterCycles Consulting. For more information, visit the website.

Water Conservation and Quality Improvement (WCQI) Grant

Do you have a project idea that will conserve or improve water quality in the Okanagan and benefit the valley as a whole, recognizing we are all part of ‘One valley. One water.’? The Okanagan Basin Water Board is now accepting applications to its 2017 Water Conservation and Quality Improvement (WCQI) Grant Program. Eligible grant recipients include non-profit community groups, local governments (regional districts or municipalities), and irrigation or improvement districts. Successful applicants can receive up to $30,000 for their project.

Each year the Water Board (OBWB) looks at where there may be current issues, or gaps that need to be addressed. This year the board is putting a special focus on projects which address drought and flood preparedness, water flow monitoring, groundwater studies, restoration, and water quality. Although certain project categories are being prioritized, the OBWB encourages applications in all conservation and quality improvement categories, including: Education, Conservation, Irrigation, Mapping, Metering, System Improvement, Source Water Protection, Water Treatment Study, Water Management Planning, and Xeriscape.

This year’s application deadline is 4 p.m. Friday, February 17, 2017. The complete program guide and application forms can be found on the website.

Brink/McLean Grassland Conservation Fund

Application Deadline: February 10
Established by The Nature Trust of BC, up to $2500 is available help gain a better understanding of grassland management. Applicants should contact Leanna Warman at 604-969-3246 or lwarman@naturetrust.bc.ca to discuss their project and its eligibility for funding support. Deadline 4:30 pm. Details.

Community Foundation of the South Okanagan-Similkameen

Application Deadline: February 10
The application cycle began December 2. Details here.

Mountain Equipment Coop

Application Deadline: March 10
MEC supports organizations with projects focusing on conserving ecologically or recreationally important places as well as projects that focus on inspiring and enabling people to experience nature and be active outdoors. Details here.

The Nature Trust of British Columbia (TNTBC) is a leading non-profit land conservation organization based in BC. Since 1971, we have secured over 70,000 hectares (175,000 acres) of important habitat across the province for wildlife, fish and plants.

TNTBC seeks an enthusiastic and motivated conservation professional to be our Kootenay Conservation Land Manager. This unique position offers the successful candidate the opportunity to work as part of The Nature Trust of British Columbia’s conservation land management team that leads and implements TNTBC’s landscape-scale conservation efforts on 11,230 ha (27,735 acre) of TNTBC holdings in the East and West Kootenay. The land manager serves as TNTBC’s regional representative, conducting and/or coordinating all aspects of conservation land management, ecological monitoring, neighbour and community relations/outreach, and oversees all volunteer activities associated with TNTBC’s conservation lands.

This is a full time professional position based in Cranbrook, BC.

To apply: Please forward your résumé and cover letter with salary expectations by February 24,2017 to Marian Adair, Habitat Ecologist at TNTBC’s North Vancouver office. In your letter please address how you meet the qualifications, experience and skills identified in the job description (contact for details).

Contact information:
email: madair@naturetrust.bc.ca
phone: (604) 969-3242
Applications will be accepted until February 24, 2017