In 1991, the ORWHFS purchased Edwards Pond, a former oxbow of the Kettle River located in Grand Forks. This is a 50-acre property that supports a variety of species, including an abundant population of Western Painted Turtles, which are a species of special concern in interior British Columbia.
In 1992, a 1.5-acre property overlooking Wards Lake, located in Grand Forks, was donated to the ORWHFS to be maintained as a bird sanctuary.
This upland property adjacent to the road is now protected in its natural state and provides an important link with the adjacent wetland habitat.
This 50 acre property was purchased in 1998 by the ORWHFS and includes several different Similkameen Valley habitats. It is located just west of Keremeos.
The property includes Similkameen River frontage with black cottonwoods and it provides access to steep upland Crown lands which are habitat for California bighorn sheep, goats, deer and rattlesnakes.
The property includes not only a typical dry, open, rocky hillside, dotted with sagebrush, cactus and pine trees, but also a spring-fed year-round creek.
Ginty’s Pond, named after Ginty Cawston, is a 15.5-acre wetland located in Cawston. ORWHFS acquired it in 1990 for its riparian value and to protect public access. It is also known as Lowe Slough. In 1992 the land was leased to the Environment Ministry to manage.