A step closer to the Conservation Fund.

Last Thursday I was asked to provide a Conservation Fund update to the Regional District Okanagan Similkameen Planning and Development Committee. As many of you know, SOSCP and RDOS conducted some discussion with public in 2015 on the concept of the fund, which was quite positive, however during difficult budget deliberations, the Board decided not to include a line item for a referendum in 2016.

I was joined by my colleague David Hillary from the Kootenay Conservation Program, who took the Committee in detail, through the process of establishing the first Conservation Fund of its kind in Canada initially in the Columbia Valley in 2008, then expanded to the west Kootenays in 2014.

The Kootenay experience highlighted how Conservation Funds empowers local communities to drive and achieve their own interests and priorities. That the benefits derived from the diversity of the projects supported are not just limited to environmental sustainability but extend to realms of economic development, community safety, reducing land conflicts and securing ecosystem services like clean water. The magnitude of funding that can be leveraged from outside sources by a modest local fund is staggering.

A motion to establish a Conservation Fund was made by Area F Director Michael Brydon and was supported by almost all of the Committee. His proposal included a sub-regional service for the South Okanagan with average requisition of $10 per household (actual ad valorem), five year term and public assent through AAP, and referendum if needed.

This motion goes to a vote at the entire Board in May.

Bryn White, SOSCP Program Manager