Canada’s Greatest Conservation Opportunity
The spectacular Chopaka Grasslands west of Osoyoos, part of the most extensive remaining southern grasslands/sagebrush ecosystem left in BC, are filled with unique and endangered species that make the region unique in Canada. Photo by Steve Cannings
Right now, an exceptional opportunity exists for the residents of the Okanagan Valley and for the people of Canada to protect one of the most beautiful natural regions in the nation – the lands in and around the South Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys in southern British Columbia. Currently, the federal and BC governments are looking at the possibility of establishing a new national park reserve here.
National parks are very rare and special in Canada. In BC, there are only seven national parks. National parks are typically much larger than provincial parks and have the highest standards of environmental protection in Canada. To establish a new national park reserve in the South Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys, in the same league as the greatly loved Banff, Jasper, Pacific Rim, and Riding Mountain National Parks – is an opportunity local residents and the Canadian people can’t afford to lose.
The South Okanagan -Similkameen region is unique in Canada. Its warm dry climate combined with its mountainous terrain has produced extremely diverse and rare ecosystems, including Canada’s only “pocket desert”, filled with cacti, rattlesnakes, and antelope brush. The South Okanagan – Similkameen grasslands are among the top four most endangered ecosystems in Canada. One-third of British Columbia’s species at risk are found here.
Diverse Species and Ecosystems at Risk
The South Okanagan-Similkameen is the most ecologically diverse region in Canada - unfortunately it is also one of the most endangered. The mosaic of habitats found in this semi-arid mountain-to-valley landscape support over 250 species at risk.
Six of the 14 major ecosystem types in BC, known as “biogeoclimatic zones”, are found here. Descending from the highest in altitude to the lowest in altitude, these include: Alpine Tundra, Englemann Spruce-Subalpine Fir, Montane Spruce, Interior Douglas fir, Ponderosa Pine, and Bunchgrass zones. The latter two ecosystems are completely absent from our existing national parks system. Some of their important ecological characteristics include:
Ponderosa Pine: These fragrant forests are found only in the hottest, driest southern valleys. They are home to yellow-bellied marmots, western bluebirds, white-breasted nuthatches, California bighorn sheep, cougars, and species at risk like white-headed woodpeckers, poorwills, flammulated owls, and white-throated swifts.
Bunchgrass: This zone includes grasslands/semi-desert habitats, rugged terrain like cliffs and rocky talus slopes, and riparian wetland/deciduous shrub ecosystems – all of which are under great threat due to rapidly expanding developments. More than half of all species at risk in the South Okanagan-Similkameen are found here, including badgers, sage thrashers, pallid bats, spotted bats, canyon wrens, spadefoot toads, tiger salamanders and scorpions.
Unfortunately, many of the ecosystems here are underrepresented in Canada’s national park system. Parks Canada has a mandate to establish at least one national park in each of Canada’s 39 major terrestrial natural regions – currently there is no national park in the Interior Dry Plateau natural region of BC. The South Okanagan-Similkameen region if protected would include the greatest diversity of ecosystems and the most species at risk of any national park in Canada.
American Badger. Photo by Glen and Rebecca Grambo
Western Bluebirds. Photo by Jim Flynn
But times are changing - fast. Unchecked developments have enveloped much of the Okanagan Valley to the north around Kelowna and Penticton, and this rapid growth is now reaching into the South Okanagan. It is predicted that another 12,000 people will move to the region in the next 15 years and new golf courses, vineyards, roads, resorts, and mountainside housing developments are quickly spreading through the Valley. The scenic, rural valley that local people and Canadians love so much will be no more in the near future – unless we protect some of it now.
Establishing a national park reserve would provide many benefits: protecting the native ecosystems; greatly enhancing and diversifying the local economy; preserving the spectacular scenery; ensuring and enhancing recreational opportunities; providing greater wild fire management expertise and resources to keep communities safer; and protecting First Nations sacred sites and traditional use areas.
It is important to emphasize that the establishment of a South Okanagan Similkameen National Park Reserve is not guaranteed. If enough people do not speak up for the park proposal one of Canada’s greatest conservation opportunities could slip away. Of all times, it is absolutely vital that you, your friends and family, and thousands of others speak up to the federal and BC governments and let them know if you value this unique, incredible region and support a South Okanagan – Similkameen National Park Reserve.
