2023 John B. Holdstock Scholarship Successful Recipient
Congratulations to Haiden MacDonald
2023 Recipient of the John B. Holdstock Scholarship
The British Columbia Conservation Foundation is pleased to announce that Haiden MacDonald, an aspiring environmentalist and dedicated conservation advocate, has been awarded the prestigious John B. Holdstock Scholarship for his exceptional achievements and commitment to environmental stewardship.
Haiden currently works for the BC Wildlife Federation, where he uses the skills he gained in UBC’s Natural Resources Conservation Program, in the field, and from his background in angling in coordinating the Fish Habitat Restoration and Education Program. This program aims to raise awareness about the importance of protecting and conserving freshwater fish and riparian habitats across B.C., while building community capacity to care for these valued areas through restoration and community engagement.
With special thanks to the JB Holdstock Scholarship Committee members:
- Judie Steeves, Southern Interior Land Trust
- Emma Liffen, The Nature Trust of British Columbia
- Dan Buffett, The Habitat Conservation Foundation
- Dave Henshaw, Kelowna Fish & Game Club
- Kevin Holdstock
Help Protect Okanagan Lake and Create a Corridor For Wildlife
Join us in supporting the B.C. Parks Foundation in its efforts to conserve 151 acres of waterfront private land, surrounded by Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park.
The foundation has already raised all but $750,000 of the $4 million required to complete the deal, but the remainder must be raised before the closing date on the offer to private owners of July 15.
The alternative is development of this beautiful parcel of land, located across from Peachland.
The SILT board has unanimously voted to offer its support to the foundation, but the land trust is not in the business of contributing money to other causes, but in conserving land for wildlife and restoration work for lands already in its portfolio.
But, we can inform and encourage our supporters to lean more about this opportunity to protect this key part of the puzzle which could provide a corridor of connectivity from the border north through Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park for wildlife.
As wildflowers, grasslands and forest are rapidly being lost to concrete and asphalt in the Okanagan, it’s vital that we set aside some wild land so our children’s children will know what this valley is like naturally, and so some wild critters can continue to survive.
Learn more about this opportunity and donate whatever you can at:
https://bcparksfoundation.ca/projects/parks-bank/okanagan-mountain-park/
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
Prevent destruction of habitat on the Grand Forks Grasslands
By: Gordon Wilson
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You can help prevent destruction of habitat on the Grand Forks Grasslands
SILT needs to raise $35,000 to build wildlife-friendly fences on its Grand Forks Grasslands property and to purchase a cattleguard to keep cows from entering the grasslands from the public road.
After local school children spent Earth Day there this spring planting trees, cattle have entered the property and trampled much of the freshly-planted area. Professional guidance for the planting was provided by staff from Interfor and the trees were also donated by the lumber company. The trespass by cattle has also delayed recovery of habitat that supports a variety of species-at-risk on the property, and has impacted habitat values for other plants and wildlife.
SILT prohibits trespass by cattle and by wheeled vehicles on all its properties to prevent such damage to wildlife habitat.
However, the fencing around the Grand Forks Grasslands properties recently purchased by SILT, is derelict and needs to be repaired or replaced. Some areas are not fenced. There is matching government funding available to build wildlife-friendly fencing if SILT can raise the estimated $35,000 required as matching funds.
SILT hoped to achieve a collaborative solution to the issue of cattle trespass, by working with its neighbours, the adjacent range agreement holder and the B.C. Ministry of Forests, but efforts to date have not been effective. The ministry and the range holder respond that it is the responsibility of our not-for-profit society to fence cattle out. Until we can do that, cattle will continue to trespass on our conservation lands.
The issues are complicated and will take time to resolve, but in the meantime, SILT is acting to defend the conservation of habitat for wildlife and the investment of its donors and supporters. You can help by donating toward this important project.