SILT has an agreement to purchase 109 hectares (270 acres) of rare grassland habitat near Grand Forks. We need to raise $117,000 this month! Please help create another lasting legacy for wildlife. Click here to DONATE. Every dollar matters! Donations are tax deductible.
DL 492 is open, rolling hills of bunchgrass interspersed with patches of trembling aspen-rose thickets. The property is year-round habitat for a healthy herd of 200-300 California bighorn sheep. Rams and ewes of all ages use the land. It is also excellent winter and spring range for mule deer and white-tailed deer. Several species-at-risk occur, including rattlesnake, gophersnake, spadefoot toad, tiger salamander and badger.
The Grand Forks (Gilpin) sheep herd has provided decades of first-class hunting and excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Your donation will help ensure that undeveloped, productive habitat is protected forever. SILT welcomes and encourages non-mechanized public access for wildlife- and nature-related recreation on all its conservation properties. DONATE HERE
Email questions or comments to: office@siltrust.ca
Volunteer President Ross Everatt has installed a replacement sign at SILT’s Ginty’s Pond at Cawston. The pond is valuable habitat for waterfowl, songbirds, painted turtle and other wildlife. The pond has also been a community gathering place, such as for ice-skating parties in winter. Ginty Cawston was a son of a local pioneer and owned the property; his family wanted the pond preserved in honour of Ginty’s love of nature and community. SILT acquired the property in 1991.
Last week, the BC Wildlife Federation Wetlands Team hosted a 2-day Wetlandkeepers community workshop focussed on Ginty’s Pond. SILT appreciates the support and interest of the community in keeping the pond productive and enjoyable — for all living things!
A young bobcat treated at the Kamloops Wildlife Park after she was hit by a car at Gallagher Lake was released near there on June 29. SILT radio-collared and ear-tagged the injured bobcat so that its adjustment back to the wild can be monitored. Knowing how this cat re-adapts to being wild, and where it chooses to go, will help SILT identify and acquire land that can remain as habitat for bobcat and other living things for all time. SILT collared several other bobcats in the area last winter as part of an ongoing research study.
Please report tagged bobcat! Call or text Ross Everatt at (250) 499-9840
By: SILT Admin
Comments: 0
SILT hosted a sold out walk and talk tour of its Cold Creek conservation property near Keremeos on May 18th. The tour, in support of the Meadowlark Nature Festival, attracted 20 participants of all ages. SILT President Ross Everatt, outdoors writer Judie Steeves, cottonwood expert Kasey Moran and wildlife biologist Al Peatt led the tour of SILT’s 20-hectare Cold Creek property where over 200 plant and animal species occur. The Cold Creek property is a wildlife corridor that fronts the Similkameen River and extends from an intact cottonwood stand through dry shrub-steppe to steep cliffs, and includes a spring-fed year-round stream.
SILT appreciates and thanks the Meadowlark Nature Festival and everyone who came out with us to Cold Creek; we made new friends, had many engaging conversations and enjoyed a great walk.
Photos – courtesy Judie Steeves