Osoyoos, BC — This morning the Okanagan Nation Alliance, representing four South Okanagan First Nations bands (the Upper Similkameen, Lower Similkameen, Osoyoos and Penticton), formally announced their support of the South Okanagan-Similkameen National Park Reserve proposal with the release of their park feasibility report. The report urges the provincial and federal governments to move forward into the next stage of park establishment, and says that the current park plan is "insufficient in size" to maintain cultural and ecological integrity.

“We would like to thank the Okanagan Nation Alliance for their support of the South Okanagan National Park proposal,” said Gwen Barlee, policy director with the Wilderness Committee. “This proposal has First Nations and local community support, and now it is time for the federal and provincial governments to work together to establish the park.”

The South Okanagan represents one of the most endangered ecosystems in Canada and is home to one third of BC's endangered species. Bobolinks, badgers, canyon wrens, scorpions, rattlesnakes and the delicate Lyall's Mariposa lily are just a few of the rare and iconic wildlife species found in this arid region.

“As someone who was born in Penticton and grew up in the Okanagan, I am thrilled this final piece of the puzzle has fallen into place,” said Barlee. “People here know they live in a special place, and they realize it is important to protect the special plant and wildlife species of this rare ecosystem to help maintain the quality of life for which the Okanagan is famous.”

Since 2004, the federal and provincial governments have been cooperating to assess the feasibility of a national park in the South Okanagan-Similkameen region. In 2011 a park feasibility report was released by Parks Canada, which showed the national park reserve was viable and that the process to establish the park should commence as soon as possible.