Invasive Tree Management in the South Okanagan (copy)

Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society (OASISS)

Established in 1996 the Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society (OASISS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention, detection, and management of invasive species in the Okanagan-Similkameen.

Residents of the South Okanagan will be educated about the impacts of invasive trees and inspired to take action to remove and replace them with ecologically suitable species. Baseline inventories of invasive trees will be established within priority locations and demonstration sites will be created. Opportunities to strengthen local government legislation, policies and management practices relating to invasive trees will be explored.

This project is the second year of a 3-year request. Approved by Regional District Okanagan Similkameen Board and $35,867.13 was allocated from the South Okanagan Conservation Fund for 2026. The project is expected to complete by January 31, 2027.

Coteay Creek Beaver Dam Analogue Project (copy)

Okanagan Nation Alliance

Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) formed in 1981 as the inaugural First Nations government in the Okanagan and among other functions, works to provide technical fisheries assistance for the Nation and its eight member communities, including the Penticton Indian Band, and acting as a liaison between federal and provincial fisheries agencies and other non-government organizations.

The South Okanagan has recently faced record-setting heat and drought conditions as a result of climate change, challenges which may be partly mitigated by the construction of beaver dam analogues (BDAs): small, temporary, hand-built structures that mimic the form and function of natural beaver dams. They slow the flow of water downstream, moderating floods and droughts; they trap sediment, halting stream incision; they raise the water table, reversing wetland and riparian decline; and they are associated with enhanced aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity. Installation of 10-35 BDAs in the Coteay Creek watershed will mitigate impacts of climate change, wildfires, logging, and historic over-hunting of beavers, and will restore wetland and riparian habitat with the hope of attracting beavers who will then maintain the dam complexes on a longer-term basis. This project is in cooperation with the British Columbia Wildlife Federation

This project is the second year of a 3-year request. Approved by Regional District Okanagan Similkameen Board and $65,763.11 was allocated from the South Okanagan Conservation Fund in 2026. The project is expected to complete by January 31, 2027.

The 10,000 Wetlands Initiative (Beaver-Based Restoration) at Park Rill Creek (copy)

B.C. Wildlife Federation

The B.C. Wildlife Federation British Columbia’s leading conservation organization, made up of volunteers who aim to protect, enhance and promote the wise use of our environment for the benefit of present and future generations. We advocate for anglers, hunters, outdoor recreationists, firearms owners, and recreational shooters. The B.C. Wildlife Federation strives to ensure the sound long-term management of B.C.’s fish, wildlife, and outdoor recreational resources in the best interests of all British Columbians. 

As part of the larger B.C. Wildlife Federation (BCWF) 10,000 Wetlands project, this project aims to restore 1,000 m² of critical floodplain and 1 km of stream habitat using low-tech process-based restoration (LTPBR) techniques at Park Rill Creek. From 2025 to 2028, the BCWF and its partners, including Nature Trust of BC, will install at least five beaver dam analogues (BDAs) and post-assisted log structures (PALS), restoring the degraded stream reach, increasing hydrological resilience by slowing the stream flow, enhancing its capacity to retain water during dry periods, creating rearing habitat and refugia for fish, and improving floodplain connectivity (Bouwes et al., 2016; Weber et al., 2017). Knowledge-sharing and capacity-building with First Nations, NGOs, academia, government agencies, and landowners is integral to the project’s success and as such, includes a workshop on LTPBR techniques and collaborative effectiveness monitoring to ensure long-term success.

This project is the second year of a 3-year request. Approved by Regional District Okanagan Similkameen Board and $12,442.49 was allocated from the South Okanagan Conservation Fund in 2026. The project is expected to complete by January 31, 2027.