Bourguiba Spring, Lot 16, Osoyoos

The Southern Interior Land Trust purchased the 16.6-hectare (41-acre) Bourguiba Spring property in fall 2022. Lot 16 is a steep, south-facing grassland with rock outcrops above a ravine that protects a year-round groundwater spring—the source of Bourguiba Creek, which flows into Haynes Creek, a tributary of Osoyoos Lake. That Lot 16 protects the source spring of a permanent creek in the dry Osoyoos landscape likely makes the property ecologically…

Lot A – DL493 Grand Forks Grassland

In November 2020, SILT acquired an additional 35 hectares (86 acres) of grassland habitat east of Grand Forks on Morrissey Creek Road, adjacent to its other DL492 property. This additional land secures and provides even more year-round habitat for a 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…

DL 492 Grand Forks Grassland

In 2020, SILT purchased 109 hectares (270 acres) of open, rolling hills of bunchgrass interspersed with patches of trembling aspen-rose thickets located just east of Grand Forks. The property, known locally as DL 492, is year-round habitat for a 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…

R.E. Taylor Conservation Property

The Southern Interior Land Trust (SILT) purchased this 4.9 hectares (12 acres) of seasonally-flooded mature water birch forest in May of 2018. Situated on the banks of Keremeos Creek near Olalla, between Penticton and Keremeos, the property is a gem of intact streamside Water Birch forest, one of very few remaining in the Okanagan-Similkameen. It provides habitat for at least five federally-listed species at risk, including the Yellow-breasted Chat, Western…

Elkink South Block Property

In 2013, SILT supported the Nature Conservancy of Canada in the purchase of the 1,836-acre Elkink South Block property near the international border in the South Okanagan. The purchase ties this important grassland habitat in with two other NCC-owned properties for a total parcel of more than 3,000 acres and opens it up to the general public. YOU CAN HELP SILT is a registered non-profit society and tax receipts can…

Okanagan River Restoration

In 2004, SILT acquired four adjacent properties along the Okanagan River that were integral to the multi-million dollar Okanagan River Restoration Initiative (ORRI). SILT retained ownership of these properties until December, 2009, when The Nature Trust of B.C. took over ownership. Today, the property is open to the general public and includes a trail network. YOU CAN HELP SILT is a registered non-profit society and tax receipts can be issued…

Cold Creek Property

This 50 acre property was purchased in 1998 by SILT and includes several different Similkameen Valley habitats. It is located just west of Keremeos and includes Similkameen River frontage with black cottonwoods. It also 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,…

Haase Pond

In 1996, SILT spearheaded the purchase of Haase Pond in Kelowna. It's located adjacent to Mission Creek, and has significant fish and wildlife values. It’s part of the second phase of the popular Mission Creek Greenway and the regional district now holds it as a wildlife sanctuary in perpetuity. YOU CAN HELP SILT is a registered non-profit society and tax receipts can be issued for donations of cash or property…

Rose Valley Regional Park

In 1993, the society contributed toward the purchase of a lot on Rose Valley Pond in West Kelowna, as valuable habitat for yellow-headed and red-winged blackbirds. Because of the grassroots community effort to conserve the habitat, a further 250 hectares of Crown land was leased by the regional district as park, taking it to the shoreline of Rose Valley Reservoir. YOU CAN HELP SILT is a registered non-profit society and…

Swan Lake

In 1992 SILT contributed toward the purchase of nine acres of wetland on Swan Lake in Vernon. It is held by the Nature Trust of B.C. YOU CAN HELP SILT is a registered non-profit society and tax receipts can be issued for donations of cash or property or bequests from estates, so consider making a tax-deductible donation of money or land or including the society in your will, in order…

Wards Lake Property

In 1992, a 1.5-acre property overlooking Wards Lake, located in Grand Forks, was donated to SILT. This upland property adjacent to the road is now protected in its natural state and provides an important link with the adjacent wetland habitat. YOU CAN HELP SILT is a registered non-profit society and tax receipts can be issued for donations of cash or property or bequests from estates, so consider making a tax-deductible…

Edwards Pond

In 1991, SILT 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. YOU CAN HELP SILT is a registered non-profit society and tax receipts can be issued for donations of cash or property or bequests…

Ginty’s Pond

Ginty’s Pond, named after Ginty Cawston, is a 15.5-acre wetland located in Cawston. SILT 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 Ministry of Forests Lands & Natural Resource Operations to manage. [ngg src="galleries" ids="4" display="basic_thumbnail"] YOU CAN HELP SILT is a registered non-profit society and tax receipts can be…

Skaha Lake Sheep Winter Range

In 1989, the first piece of property that SILT put money into was a 28-acre piece just south of Penticton’s city limits on the east side of Skaha Lake that includes a small pond. The property is prime habitat for California bighorn sheep. Eventually, in collaboration with The Nature Trust of B.C. and several other partners, a total of 250 acres was purchased there and is held by the Nature…

Sandner Property

In 1989, SILT acquired the Sandner property at the north end of Christina Lake. It includes more than 100 acres with 3,000 feet of beach, forested land with cedar trees 12 feet in diameter and two of the principal kokanee and trout spawning streams on the lake. Read more

Conservation Lands