A committee has been formed by MLA Linda Larson to work toward the designation of the Osoyoos pocket desert as a world designated site for preservation of land and species.

Osoyoos Desert Society volunteer Don Triggs of Culmina Winery says he is part of the project committee but has no leadership role in the society. Triggs, an Osoyoos resident does says however that this is a great opportunity and a wonderful chance to protect the area at the same time as attracting tourists to the South Okanagan.

The Osoyoos Desert Centre is a 67 acre nature interpretive facility where visitors can learn about desert ecology, habitat restoration and conservation of endangered ecosystems in the South Okanagan. The  Centre, located 3 km north of Osoyoos off Highway 97, is open in the warm months of the year.

MLA Linda Larson says the meeting this week attracted the Thompson Okanagan Tourist Association’s Glen Manziuk, MP Dan Albas, the Nature Trust and RDOS chair Mark Pendergraft of Osoyoos.

Osoyoos Desert Centre manager Denise Eastlick and Society president Lee Macfayden were present as well but not available to comment – so far. What could come of this initiative is a one million dollar new public centre and office complex with funding from Ottawa and Victoria.