I have just returned from being shown around the proposed South Okanagan Similkameen National Park over the course of two days. I have to say I was blown away by the beauty of the place and impressed by the show of wild plants and animals. I even got to see California big horn sheep, a rattle snake, a mother black bear and her cub walking together across a vast grassland slope and an extremly rare flower - the Lyall's Lilly.

You can read about this red listed flower here.

I took a ton of photos - some of which I have posted on the photos section of our OK National Park campaign page.

I also saw signs of opposition to the proposed National Park - and I really mean signs! About a dozen large red "No National Park" signs have been nailed up on fence posts mostly in the Keromeos and Oliver regions. What a shame.

After seeing the impacts of rapid suburban development that is sweeping the South Okanagan, combined with the impacts of cattle grazing on the grasslands and water quality I have to say that there is simply no time to waste in getting this National Park and all its protections in place pronto. And I have no doubt that the vast majority of South Okanagan residents feel the same.

I hope that you will choose to join with us as we ramp up our efforts to see this dream of an OK National Park become a reality.

Thanks to Chris, Dennis, Jim, Harry, Bob, George and Don for showing me around. Special thanks to Doreen for putting my trip together and providing me with a place to stay! 

Joe Foy

Wilderness Committee National Campaign Director