Chopaka SagePhoto: Steve Cannings
Our Greatest Conservation Opportunity: Protect Canada's Desert, Grasslands and Ponderosa Pine Forests in Southern BC
Help Establish an Okanagan - Similkameen National Park Reserve
Currently, Canadians are being presented with one of the most exceptional conservation opportunities in our history. The BC and federal governments have agreed to undertake a Feasibility Study for a potential national park reserve to protect the desert, grasslands, and Ponderosa pine ecosystems of the South Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys in southern British Columbia. The local residents and the millions of Canadians who've visited the area know it is perhaps the most beautiful region of the country. Whether the national park reserve becomes a reality - or a lost opportunity - depends on YOUR input and the input of all Canadians.
This region, around the towns of Osoyoos, Oliver, Keremeos and Cawston, has more species at risk than any other region of BC. Canyon wrens, white-headed woodpeckers, badgers, California bighorn sheep, tiger salamanders, spadefoot toads, pallid bats, spotted bats, scorpions, and rattlesnakes all inhabit the area. A national park here would encompass a greater diversity of ecosystems than any national park in Canada - 6 of BC's 14 major ecosystem types ("biogeoclimatic zones") are found in this little region.
Interior Western Screech OwlPhoto: Steve Cannings
National parks are very rare - there are only 7 national parks in BC, in contrast to over 1000 provincial parks and protected areas here. National parks tend to be much larger than provincial parks and have the highest standards of environmental protection. A national park reserve in the South Okanagan-Similkameen region would be the greatest conservation opportunity for an area that is the greatest conservation priority in Canada.
Anyone who lives in North America knows that national parks greatly enhance local economies by increasing tourism revenues and providing local jobs, not to mention increasing the environmental quality of life for local people and all Canadians.
This proposed park - a once in a lifetime opportunity -could very well be derailed by vocal opposition forces unless YOU speak up to the political decision-makers!
