Waiting for Spring at Ginty’s Pond / Nʔaʕx̌ʷt

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

Shoreline restoration projects at Twin and Skaha Lakes

Shoreline Restoration Projects Completed

SILT completed two shoreline restoration projects this fall at Twin Lakes and Skaha Lake, with support from Love Your Lake, Canadian Wildlife Federation and Watersheds Canada. Restoration plans were designed based on recommendations from the 2020 Love Your Lake property surveys, which can now be downloaded by shoreline property owners throughout the Okanagan.

The restoration projects included planting native shrubs, perennials and trees along the shoreline and within the riparian area on both lakes. The goal of these projects was to create a naturalized riparian buffer that will stabilize the bank, reduce erosion, and filter runoff into the lake. Adding native species and trees into the riparian buffer will also create wildlife habitat for aquatic and land-based species.

A special thank you to Sagebrush Nursery for their involvement in both restoration projects.

Read the full story on Castanet

SILT Honoured by Low Brothers Bottle Drive

SILT was recently presented with a donation of $1,000 through the efforts of brothers Josh and Jayk Low collecting bottles and cans in their community.  “SILT is honoured to receive the benefit of Josh and Jayk’s hard work” said SILT’s executive director Al Peatt, “the boys’ community spirit and leadership is truly outstanding. SILT appreciates their support and that of everyone who donated their bottles and cans.”  SILT will use the donation to help manage wildlife habitat at its R.E. Taylor Conservation Property in Olalla.

Read the full story here on Castanet

Love Olalla

Learn to protect your lake

Trained crews from the Southern Interior Land Trust will be conducting shoreline assessments on Tuc-el-nuit Lake in June as part of the ongoing Love Your Lake program, aiming to help lakeside property owners learn how to protect water health and quality.
Read the full story on Castanet