Federal Government to improve public access to Vaseux-Bighorn National Wildlife Area.

Ottawa will be investing a total of $8 million over five years and $725,000 on an ongoing basis in 10 National Wildlife Areas across Canada that have been selected as suitable for increased public access.

Funding will focus on connecting Canadians to nature by: improving basic infrastructure to make sites more accessible; creating new or expanded trails and viewing platforms; providing on-site programs delivered through collaborative partnerships; and supporting a variety of low-impact public uses, such as hiking, canoeing, kayaking, skiing, snowshoeing, or wildlife observation and photography.

Vaseux-Bighorn National Wildlife Area is located  between Oliver and Okanagan Falls. Old ponderosa pine and Douglas-firs located throughout the 812 hectares of land create habitat for threatened birds such as the Lewis’s and White‑headed Woodpeckers. The area also includes unique grasslands and a variety of rare plants such as Bluebunch Wheatgrass, Antelope Brush and Red Osier Dogwood.

Quick Facts

• A key pillar of Canada’s new National Conservation Plan is to connect Canadians with nature.
• Since 2006, we have added an area nearly twice the size of Vancouver Island to the network of federal protected areas. This includes establishing three National Wildlife Areas, bringing the total to 54 across Canada.
• National Wildlife Areas are owned by the federal government and are an effective tool for promoting biodiversity and protecting habitat for species at risk.
• More than half of the National Wildlife Areas provide a home for species at risk.
• Vaseux-Bighorn in particular takes its name from the Vaseux Lake reservoir and the California Bighorn Sheep, a key species in the area.
• Public access is currently limited to a few designated trails, a wildlife viewing tower and boardwalk.