Antelope-brush Ecosystem Conservation and Restoration

Osoyoos Desert Society

The Osoyoos Desert Society is a nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1991 to conserve the rich, biologically diverse habitats of British Columbia’s southern interior.  Through its conservation, restoration and education efforts, the Osoyoos Desert Centre strives to generate public knowledge, respect and active concern for these fragile and endangered ecosystems.

Antelope-brush ecosystems support habitat for over 42 species that are listed at risk nationally, and these ecosystems themselves are globally imperiled and at risk. In Canada, almost all of Antelope-brush plant communities occur in the Regional District Okanagan Similkameen. Over 68% of antelope-brush habitat has been destroyed by urban and agricultural development and only 13% of what remains has been formally protected.

This project will develop a conservation and restoration action plan and establish a coordinated action team for implementation. This project is the second year of a 3-year request. Approved by Regional District Okanagan Similkameen Board and $18,871 was allocated from the South Okanagan Conservation Fund in 2022. The project is expected to complete by January 31, 2023.