OBWB has received a nod from the federal government with funding to support additional projects. Ruta Fluxgold, Manager of the Ecosystem Coordination Office for Environment Canada’s Pacific region, announced funding of nearly $77,000 to the Water Board at Friday’s Annual General Meeting to support Okanagan water initiatives. Some $20,000 will go towards supporting the Osoyoos Lake Water Science Forum (Sept. 18 to 20 in Osoyoos), $15,479 will support water utility staff get trained in the use of the OBWB’s Streamlined Water Use Reporting Tool (SWURT web-tool). Another $15,480 will assist the OBWB with its hydrometric monitoring program, reintroducing monitors to track water supplies, and $26,000 will be provided to the Okanagan Collaborative Conservation Program to help develop a biodiversity strategy for the Okanagan. “The Okanagan is recognized as a unique ecosystem in Canada which could face serious water shortages,” explained Warwick Sears. “We’re really happy to be partners with Environment Canada on these very important projects.