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South Okanagan Photos

MLA’s goal has support of Desert Centre in Osoyoos

On Thursday, April 9th MLA Linda Larson held a meeting with her committee to explore the possibility of applying for UNESCO World Heritage status for the Osoyoos Desert Centre.

The Osoyoos Desert Centre, located 5 km north of Osoyoos, is a nature interpretive facility situated on 67 acres of endangered antelope-brush habitat. The Centre is operated by the Osoyoos Desert Society, a non-profit organization whose mission is to conserve and restore the antelope-brush ecosystem in the South Okanagan and to educate the public and inspire active concern for ecosystems worldwide.

Two representatives from the Desert Society, Board President, Lee McFadyen and Executive Director, Denise Eastlick, were among those invited to MLA Larson’s meeting. “The Desert Society is open to exploring options that afford added protection to endangered habitat in the South Okanagan,” stated President McFadyen, “including the endangered habitat located at the Desert Centre.”

The Osoyoos Desert Centre is located on Crown land which is leased to the Society by the provincial government. The lease, however, does not provide permanent protection for the site or the habitat. As a first step in the world heritage site process, Linda Larson’s team is investigating provincial options for permanently protecting the site. “The South Okanagan is home to one of the highest concentrations of at-risk species in the country,” notes Desert Society Executive Director, Denise Eastlick. “Efforts to protect the habitat are critically needed if the landscapes and wildlife we treasure are to survive.”

The Desert Society looks forward to continuing to work with MLA Larson towards her goal.

Earlier on ODN:

desert centreA 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.

What could come of this initiative is a one million dollar new public centre and office complex with funding from Ottawa and Victoria.