Southern Interior Land Trust
  • Home
Southern Interior Land Trust
  • About SILT
  • Properties
    • Conservation Lands
    • Become a Property Steward
    • Conservation Properties Web Map
  • Projects
  • Contact
  • Links
  • Donate
    • Make a Donation
    • View Your Dashboard
    • View Donor Wall
  • e-News Sign-up
    • Blog
  • Directors
  • Home

SILT NEWS

Home > News > Ecology
22
Oct
Land earmarked for donation during ecological bus tour near Osoyoos

By: Gordon Wilson

Bourguiba

Comments: 0

A neighbour plans to donate 14-acre parcel beside Southern Interior Land Trust’s Bourguiba Spring property

A six-hectare (14-acre) parcel of pristine sage and bunchgrass hillside near Osoyoos has been committed to the Southern Interior Land Trust (SILT) while on their first ever bus tour of the land trust properties on Saturday, Oct. 14.

One of the three stops during the bus tour was at the 16.6-hectare (41-acre) Bourguiba Spring property, purchased just last year with the support of dozens of donors from around the province. It was at this stop that Steinar Johnsen, owner of an adjacent property announced the commitment of land.

The Bourguiba Spring property on Highway 3, is three kilometres southeast of Osoyoos.

Johnsen explained that he has always turned to nature to “recharge his batteries” and he hopes his four new neighbours on the property he just subdivided and is building his home on, will feel as passionately as he about conservation of natural areas.

SILT president Judie Steeves thanked Johnsen for the donation of land.

“It takes a commitment from each of us to ensure habitat for wildlife is conserved for all time. Everyone needs to give what they can, whether it be time and energy, financial support, or gifts of skills or natural land features. Otherwise, our children’s children won’t know the wildflowers and creatures which have brought us joy during our lives,” said Steeves.

From bighorn sheep to endangered bird and insect species, the property is considered very good quality habitat confirms biologist Jason Jones of EcoLogic Consultants. He has been working on a University of Guelph invertebrates study on the Bourguiba Spring property this past summer. He figures he collected six million insects from the property for the survey.

During his time there he says one day he counted 27 rattlesnakes in just a 15-minute hike and there are more than 80 bird species and three dozen butterfly species, including the endangered Behr’s Hairstreak butterfly, which relies entirely on Antelope Brush for its existence.

Ecologist Don Gayton, who provided interpretive information for the tour guests, noted that the bluebunch wheatgrass that populates the rocky hillsides of the property are a great carbon capture mechanism due to their vast network of roots.

Those along on the day-long bus tour included representatives of the B.C. Conservation Foundation, the RDOS, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, local naturalists’ clubs, and other donors to SILT’s work.

The first stop was to the R.E. Taylor property in Olalla, a 4.9-hectare (12-acre) intact wetland of mature water birch and cottonwoods on Keremeos Creek that is habitat for such endangered species as the Yellow-breasted Chat.

Next was a visit to restoration of Ginty’s Pond in Cawston where B.C. Wildlife Federation staff and volunteers were working with members of the Lower Similkameen Indian Band and SILT to re-vegetate the margins of the pond to enhance the habitat for aquatic species such as the Painted Turtle and a variety of waterfowl. It is a 6.3-hectare (15.5-acre) former oxbow of the Similkameen River.

All of SILT’s properties are open to the public for non-motorized use and enjoyment without endangering natural features.

The tour wound up with a wine-tasting courtesy of Hester Creek Winery where SILT board member and marketing manager for the winery, Bruce Hibbard provided a tour of the crush pad and barrel room.

silt0006
silt0005
silt0004
IMG_4259
IMG_5224
silt0005
IMG_4118
IMG_5222
IMG_4143
IMG_4133
IMG_4128
silt0007
IMG_4122
silt0002
fullsizeoutput_cdc0
Photo by Dianne Bersea
fullsizeoutput_cd74
Photo by Dianne Bersea
IMG_4162
fullsizeoutput_cd57
Photo by Dianne Bersea
fullsizeoutput_cd4e
Photo by Dianne Bersea
IMG_5232
IMG_5230
IMG_4168
IMG_5229
IMG_5226
silt0009
StainerSILT property, Anarchist Mt. Oct 1423
Photo by Dianne Bersea
silt0008
silt0001
previous arrow
next arrow
silt0006
silt0005
silt0004
IMG_4259
IMG_5224
silt0005
IMG_4118
IMG_5222
IMG_4143
IMG_4133
IMG_4128
silt0007
IMG_4122
silt0002
fullsizeoutput_cdc0
fullsizeoutput_cd74
IMG_4162
fullsizeoutput_cd57
fullsizeoutput_cd4e
IMG_5232
IMG_5230
IMG_4168
IMG_5229
IMG_5226
silt0009
StainerSILT property, Anarchist Mt. Oct 1423
silt0008
silt0001
previous arrow
next arrow
10
Aug
10 successful years for Love Your Lake

By: Gordon Wilson

Love Your Lakes

Comments: 0

Lakes and rivers are the most sustainable source of freshwater and are essential for ecological function and social economic needs. Since Canada has more lake area than any other country, we have a responsibility to protect it. You can improve your lake health and shoreline environment with help from the Love Your Lake program.

Participating in Love Your Lake is a great way to gauge the health of your lake and become a steward of your local freshwater! Over the past 10years, Watersheds Canada and the Canadian Wildlife Federation have been proud to support waterfront communities coast to coast across Canada through the Love Your Lake program.

About Love Your Lake

Love Your Lake is a shoreline evaluation program designed to encourage waterfront property owners to take proactive steps toward improving lake health by creating and maintaining healthier shorelines. Each property owner on an assessed lake receives a personalized and confidential report that outlines voluntary actions they can take on their property to protect their freshwater. Anyone can discover how to become a steward of their local freshwater and explore helpful tips to keep your shoreline happy and healthy for future generations by visiting  LoveYourLake.ca.

Click here to download the article!

 

Beach Tree Planting Wide 800x480
Planting Beach Trees
Expanding a strip buffer at Peach Orchard Beach Park 800x480
Expanding a Strip Buffer
Ok Lk assessment crew2 800x480
Lake-Property Assessment
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Okanagan Lakefront Property
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Vaseux Lake Shoreline Assessment
previous arrow
next arrow
01
Feb
Waiting for Spring at Ginty’s Pond / Nʔaʕx̌ʷt

By: Gordon Wilson

Amphibians Ginty's Reptiles Restoration

Comments: 0

Waiting for Spring at our Ginty’s Pond restoration area!

This part of Ginty’s Pond, known as Nʔaʕx̌ʷt in the syilx language was restored in fall 2022 in collaboration with Lower Similkameen Indian Band, the BC Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Protection, the BC Wildlife Federation, our property neighbours, local businesses, and others.

Our team deepened over a hectare of cattail-clogged wetland to restore it to a more productive open water condition, introduced a lot of coarse woody debris, and planted about 1700 native trees and shrubs to create new habitats for several species-at-risk. While we wait for Spring to arrive, SILT is continuing work on improving site signage and visitor experiences at the property, as well as working with Similkameen Elementary-Secondary School and community volunteers to conduct post-restoration monitoring.

Use the link below to learn more about the Ginty’s Pond restoration project and to donate to help SILT conserve even more wildlife habitat.

Read more about the Ginty’s Pond Restoration Project

DONATE TO SILT

02
Nov
Bourguiba Spring Property Acquired

By: Gordon Wilson

Badger bighorn Bourguiba Reptiles

Comments: 0

Wildlife on the hot, dry, sunny lower slopes of Anarchist Mountain in the South Okanagan will now have year-round access to drinking water, in perpetuity.

The Southern Interior Land Trust has purchased the 16.6-hectare (41-acre) Bourguiba Spring property on Highway 3, three kilometres southeast of Osoyoos.

Achieving this goal in just a few months is due to the support of a variety of donors, including the South Okanagan Conservation Fund, the Wild Sheep Society of BC, the BC Conservation Foundation, the Okanagan-Similkameen Parks Society, the B.C. Parks Foundation, the Government of Canada through the Natural Heritage Conservation Program, part of Canada’s Nature Fund, and dozens of non-profits, companies and individuals who donated what they could.

The Bourguiba Spring property is a steep, south-facing grassland with rock outcroppings above a ravine that protects a groundwater spring—the source of Bourguiba Creek, which flows into Haynes Creek, a tributary of Osoyoos Lake.

Its steep slopes of sagebrush, bunchgrass, and scattered pines are home to California bighorn sheep, provide spring range for mule deer, and habitat for many species-at-risk, such as badger (endangered), rattlesnake (threatened), screech owl (threatened), and half-moon Hairstreak (endangered).

Conservation of this habitat protects valuable undeveloped land for wildlife in a rapidly developing area as well as offering opportunities for the public to enjoy birding, hiking and other outdoor activities in a natural setting with panoramic views.

SILT President Judie Steeves commented, “This is a beautiful piece of natural Okanagan landscape, where the aroma of sage and pinesap remind me of my childhood growing up in this valley. I’ve been sad to see so many of these natural features paved and built over in my lifetime and it’s very rewarding for me personally to participate in conserving a site where delicate mariposa lilies bend in the breeze, and I can hear the meadowlark’s melody.”

She thanked everyone who pulled together to help SILT purchase the property in such a short timeframe.

The twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss are two sides of the same coin, and we must tackle them together. By working with partners such as The Southern Interior Land Trust and generous donors, we are helping to protect the natural environment in British Columbia and across the country. Protecting lands plays a vital role in helping to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and contributes to the recovery of species at risk. Through programs like the Natural Heritage Conservation Program, the Government of Canada is making progress toward its goal of conserving a quarter of lands and oceans in Canada by 2025, working toward 30 percent of each by 2030

– The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

 

The Wild Sheep Society of BC is incredibly grateful to support this important land purchase which will help sustain wild sheep on the Okanagan landscape. We are thankful SILT has offered us this opportunity to be part of another land acquisition and support BC’s wild sheep.

– Kyle Stelter, Chief Executive Officer, Wild Sheep Society of BC

 

The Okanagan Similkameen Parks Society takes great pride in contributing to SILT’s acquisition of’ Lot 16 near Osoyoos. We feel that the lot, with its spring and diverse plant and animal life, provides much needed large animal connectivity and protection for larger wildlife in the area. We hope that, as a model of cooperation, Lot 16 is only an initial project of this sort in the southern interior.

– Ian Graham, President OSPS

Bourguiba Spring is just one of many properties SILT either owns, or which SILT has helped to acquire for other conservation organizations in the Southern Interior of B.C.

With the support of the public and their donations, SILT can continue to be responsive to seizing opportunities to conserve other important habitats as they come available. To donate, go to SILT’s website: siltrust.ca/donate. SILT wishes to thank the following organizations and individuals for their generous donations towards the acquisition of the Bourguiba Spring Property:

ABOUT:

SILT is a registered not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to conserving land for wildlife and other living things. In particular, SILT has worked for more than 30 years with a focus on securing gems of habitat as stepping-stones that allow wildlife to move through landscapes impacted by human development or activities.
For media enquiries: SILT Executive Director Al Peatt: 250-328-4699

 

The Government of Canada’s Natural Heritage Conservation Program (NHCP) is a unique public-private partnership to support new protected and conserved areas by securing private lands and private interests in lands. The program is managed by the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). Federal funds invested in the program are matched with contributions raised by NCC and its partners, Ducks Unlimited Canada and the country’s land trust community.
Le Programme de conservation du patrimoine naturel (PCPN) du Gouvernement du Canada est un partenariat public-privé unique destiné à appuyer la création de nouvelles aires protégées et conservées grâce à l’acquisition de terres privées ou de droits sur ces dernières. Le programme est administré par Conservation de la nature Canada (CNC). Les fonds investis par le gouvernement fédéral dans le programme sont bonifiés par des contributions de contrepartie amassées par CNC et ses partenaires, Canards Illimités Canada et la communauté des organismes de conservation du Canada.

 

Thumbnail 1
Thumbnail 2
Thumbnail 3
Thumbnail 4
Thumbnail 5
Thumbnail 6
Thumbnail 7
Thumbnail 7
previous arrow
next arrow
Thumbnail 1
Thumbnail 2
Thumbnail 3
Thumbnail 4
Thumbnail 5
Thumbnail 6
Thumbnail 7
Thumbnail 7
previous arrow
next arrow
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
Sidebar
Latest News
MIssed the Jason Jones Webinar? 07 Jun 2025
Don’t Miss Out on the Interesting and Free Webinar with Dr.Jason Jones, R.P. Bio. 09 Apr 2025
Forest Practices Board Upholds SILT Complaint 25 Mar 2025
Ginty’s – nʔaʕx̌ʷt Wetland Restoration – Phase 2 Completed 24 Mar 2025
SILT Achieves Conservation Excellence Certification! 20 Mar 2025
Help protect habitat for wildlife with support for SILT 17 Dec 2024
Recent Comments
    Categories
    • accordian
    • BioBlitz
    • Clean Nature
    • Ecology
    • Education
    • Environmental
    • Fish
    • Holdstock Scholarship
    • Land Acquisition
    • Non Profit
    • Organization
    • ORWHFS News
    • SILT News
    • Species at Risk
    • Volunteers
    • Webinar
    • Wild Life
    • Wildlife
    Tags
    Amphibians Badger Basket Weaving bighorn BioBlitz Bluetongue Board of Directors Bourguiba Cattle Cawston Cold Creek deer Den DL492 Donations Earth Day Earth Day 2022 Edwards Pond Gilpin Ginty's Grand Forks Grassland Habitat Holdstock Law Suit Lighthawk Love Olalla Love Your Lakes nʔaʕx̌ʷt Oceola Okanagan Mountain Park Pond Remembrance Reptiles Restoration scholarship sheep Sickle Point Snake Snake Den Species ID Thanks-You webinar Wetland wildlife
    Southern Interior Land Trust

    Formed in 1988 to purchase land for wildlife in the Okanagan Region, the board of the Southern Interior Land Trust Society, (formerly, Okanagan Region Wildlife Heritage Fund Society) aims to conserve and restore wild land as habitat for wildlife, since it is under increasing pressure from development.

    Quick Links

    • Home
    • About SILT
    • Contact
    • SILT Lands
    • SILT Links
    • SILT Projects
    • SILT Privacy Statement
    • ArcGIS Property Mapping

    GET IN TOUCH

    521 Vardon Lane

    Vernon, BC V1H 1Y4
    250-328-4699
    apeatt@siltrust.ca

    Copyright © Southern Interior Land Trust. All rights reserved.

    Powered By: Cutting Edge Concepts