The Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society (OASISS) is taking to the road in their newly constructed, educational, trailer.

This highly visual addition to the existing aquatic invaders prevention program was made possible by the RDOS, who received a generous grant from the RBC Blue Water Project Fund. “The RDOS appreciates that the Royal Bank could see the benefits of providing funding for a potentially devastating threat to our waterways – before it gets here. They recognize the astronomical cost implications and impact to our environment which will affect all residents and visitors to the Okanagan, if Quagga or Zebra mussels arrive,” said Mark Pendergraft, Chair of the RDOS.

Collaboratively, the RDOS and OASISS worked to design, procure and customize the mobile unit as well as outreach materials for this program. The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB), through their Don’t Move a Mussel Program, is also a significant and collaborative partner on this project. OBWB supplies annual funding to OASISS to assist with hiring three Aquatic Invasive Species focused Canada Summer Job students who conduct outreach throughout the valley and monitor the local waters for mussels. The OBWB has for the past three years developed and distributed outreach materials and conducts annual ad and social marketing campaigns. Together