The Nature Trust of British Columbia has started a fundraising campaign that will allow it to purchase a fourth and final chunk of land (85 acres) at the south end of Vaseux Lake between Okanagan Falls and Oliver. This would give the Nature Trust 375 acres of one of the most endangered ecosystems in Canada.
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Land conservation agency hopes to close deal that will see 375 acres of Antelope-brush ecosystem protected
One of British Columbia’s leading non-profit land conservation organizations is working to acquire that last 85 acres (35 hectares) of rare Antelope-brush in the South Okanagan before the end of March.
The fourth and final phase of the Antelope-brush Conservation Area project is located at the south end of Vaseux Lake, between Okanagan Falls and Oliver.
The Nature Trust of British Columbia is working towards finalizing the purchase of this land before the end of March and has initiated a $280,000 fundraising campaign to complete the fourth and final phase of a project that started 15 years ago, said Nick Burdock, the Okanagan Conservation Land Co-ordinator for the Nature Trust.
Purchase of this final chunk of land would give the Nature Trust care and control of 375 acres (152 hectares) of one of the most endangered ecosystems in Canada, said Burdock.
“This will create the largest private holding of rare Antelope-brush habitat in the province,” said Burdock. “This will mean this land will be protected in perpetuity for British Columbians and Canadians from any kind of development and that’s vitally important with a sensitive ecosystem like Antelope-brush.”
This large parcel of land owned by the Nature Trust is home to over 20 species at risk, including the Behr’s Hairstreak butterfly as more than half of the Canadian population of this species of butterfly resides in the habitat as its survival is dependent on the Antelope-brush plant – the only plant they can use for laying eggs, said Burdock.
The Behr’s Hairstreak butterfly is able to travel just over one kilometre away from its chrysalis during its lifetime, making it unlikely that it could ever relocate if its habitat is not protected, he said.
Other species at risk that will be protected by the Nature Trust as a result of these land purchases, include Bighorn Sheep, Pallid Bat, Desert Night Snake, Great Basin Spadefoot and Lewis’ Woodpecker.
Securement of this property ensures the protection of important wildlife habitat and connectivity with other conservation areas for many species, providing greater opportunity for species to adjust to climate change, said Burdock.
The land purchased so far by the Nature Trust and this final purchase have been owned by the same family for the past 127 years.
The origins of the land date back to the family of the legendary Pete McIntyre – the well-known McIntyre Bluff at the south end of Vaseux Lake was named after him, said Burdock.
The Kennedy family, who are descendents of the McIntyre clan, have been extremely supportive of this project and very generous in giving away large chunks of land they own and selling the rest at far less than market value, said Burdock.
“We could not have accomplished what we have without the amazing support of the Kennedy family,” he said.
Dylan Kennedy said his family is thrilled to be part of such an important environmental project.
“My family has owned a piece of property in the South Okanagan Valley since 1886,” he said. “For five generations, this land has remained in its natural state, described as the Antelope-brush desert ecosystem. It is now some of the last remaining wilderness in this unique region.”
The Nature Trust has divided this last piece of Antelope-brush Conservation Area into 10 portions and the goal is to complete the first three portions by spring of 2015.
With the commitment of a partial ecological gift donation by the landowners, along with committed funds from other provincial and federal agencies, an additional $250,000 has to be raised by the end of March, said Burdock.
“We’ve raised $30,000 of the $280,000,” he said. “We’re hoping to close the deal before the end of March, but that won’t happen unless we raise the necessary funds. If we don’t reach our targets, then the deal won’t close and that would be very unfortunate.”
Not only is development prohibited on land owned by the Nature Trust, but no motorized vehicles are allowed at any time, said Burdock.
Part of the organization’s mandate is to promote and encourage scientific and environmental studies by post-secondary students and experts and university students from across B.C. have visited the area near Vaseux Lake to conduct studies for well over a decade, he said.
The Nature Trust will be holding its largest annual fundraising event in the Okanagan Valley on Saturday, June 20 at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort in Kelowna.
The event is called Earth Wine Fire and tickets usually sell out quickly, said Burdock.
Those wanting more information about the organization can go online and visit www.naturetrust.bc.ca to learn more about our organization and the work we are doing in the Okanagan and across the province.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
