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Home > News > Volunteers
13
Dec
Restoring Ginty’s Pond

By: Gordon Wilson

Ginty's Pond Restoration

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SILT’s Ginty’s Pond wetland at Cawston BC is receiving some great collaborative management attention! Thank you to the dedicated team working to maintain this amazing natural space as productive habitat for wildlife and people!

For the complete story see the BCWF Blog

COMMUNITY COLLABORATION FOR RESTORING GINTY’S POND

12
Dec
SILT Builds Artificial Snake Den

By: Gordon Wilson

Den Snake

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The aim of this project was to remove and clean up debris piles at the entrance of SILT’s Taylor property, the debris consisted of concrete scraps and abandoned water main fittings encased in concrete. As the existing material held some wildlife habitat quality, it provided an opportunity for a habitat enhancement project to support species at risk.

This project included building an overwintering den habitat for snakes, the targeted species include: Northern Rubber Boa and Gartersnakes, as well as other reptiles that reside in the area. This project was scheduled in late fall to avoid potential harm to reptiles and nesting birds.

A big thanks to SILT’s executive director and biologist Al Peatt and his assistant biologist Lindsay Lalach for a terrific effort in planning and executing this project and also to the SILT board volunteers for coming out to help with the work.

Download the full report here: SILTTaylorReport 2020 O&M

Construction of a Snake Den

29
Nov
Social Distance Planting

By: Gordon Wilson

Comments: 0

Following all provincial health orders, SILT volunteers worked on Saturday at the R.E. Taylor Conservation property to perform reclamation work on the land where safety improvements were made to the access onto the property and also where we recently constructed a winter den for snakes.

Pictured from left to right in the photo above are Danielle Chapman (Director); Judie Steeves (President); John MacMillan; Al Peatt (Executive Director); Luke Chutter; Gord Wilson (Sec / Treasurer).

This property was purchased by SILT with a substantive contribution from the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF), which also provided funds toward this project and other important management activities on the property. SILT appreciates and thanks all the hunters, anglers, trappers, and guide-outfitters of BC that contribute to the HCTF through their licence fees, and the many people that appreciate wildlife and donate directly to the Southern Interior Land Trust.

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12
Aug
Volunteers Clean up DL492

By: Gordon Wilson

DL492 Habitat

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Volunteers Clean Up Wildlife Habitat Near Grand Forks

Armed with garbage bags, shovels, gloves and a backhoe, volunteers last weekend removed everything from appliances and bedsprings to glass and tiles from a grassland near Grand Forks which was purchased earlier this year by the Southern Interior Land Trust (SILT).

The cleanup improves habitat for a herd of 200-300 California bighorn sheep, as well as spring and winter range for mule and white-tailed deer who rely on the open, rolling grassland dotted with aspen groves and black hawthorn. It is also habitat for several species-at-risk, including snakes, spadefoot toad, tiger salamander and badger.

The volunteers were members of the Mehmal and Brandow families, the Grand Forks Wildlife Association, the Wild Sheep Society of BC., SILT and other local residents.

Formerly part of the Mehmal Ranch at the end of Morrissey Creek Road, D.L. 492 is 109 hectares (270 acres) of excellent habitat for wildlife, notes Judie Steeves, president of SILT.

Information signs were also posted identifying it as private property now conserved for wildlife. The public is welcome to walk the property at their own risk, take photos and enjoy the natural beauty, but barriers and signs have been installed to inform people that motorized use is prohibited.

The property has a history of damage from abuse by riders trespassing on their ATVs and motorbikes and from illegal dumping, says Steeves. We ask the community to respect that this is actually privately-owned land purchased with donations from a variety of sources to conserve its natural features for wildlife.

SILT is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit charity that works to acquire gems and jewels of wildlife habitat that also act as “stepping-stones” for animal movement. The grasslands surrounding Grand Forks are ecologically significant and host nationally-important and highly-diverse wildlife species.

Acquiring D.L. 492 was made possible by the generosity of the family of the late Walter Mehmal; the B.C. Conservation Foundation; the Brandow family, the Wild Sheep Society of B.C. and its members; the Grand Forks Wildlife Association and other donors, said Steeves.

SILT is currently working to acquire Lot A, D.L. 493, 35-hectares (86 acres) of wildlife habitat that lies adjacent to D.L. 492.

You can help to purchase Lot A and learn more about SILT at: www.siltrust.ca. Tax receipts will be issued for donations of cash, land, and bequests

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The Canyon Wren is an uncommon resident of extreme southern BC. Great to have a record of it on our property! Beautiful descending song
Great Job Guys!
From Left: Al Peatt, Bear Brandow, Len Mehmal, Jamie Hibberson & Doug Banert (GFWA), Barry Brandow
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Latest News
Restoring Ginty’s Pond 13 Dec 2020
SILT Builds Artificial Snake Den 12 Dec 2020
Social Distance Planting 29 Nov 2020
More Grassland Habitat Conserved 17 Nov 2020
Badger Sighting – DL492 – 493 27 Aug 2020
Volunteers Clean up DL492 12 Aug 2020
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    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.

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