Bryn White, the program manager, at South Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Program, is looking forward to seeing submissions for conservation projects for funding under the new South Okanagan Conservation Fund. (Richard McGuire file photo)

Applications are now being accepted until Sept 29 under the new South Okanagan Conservation Fund for environmental conservation projects in participating areas of the South Okanagan.

The fund is operated by the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) in partnership with the South Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Program (SOSCP).

Participating areas include Oliver, Penticton and Summerland, as well as RDOS rural electoral areas A, C, D, E and F. This means that rural Osoyoos is included, but the Town of Osoyoos chose not to participate.

“The purpose of the fund is to undertake projects and works that are related to water, environment, wildlife and land and habitat conservation efforts,” said Bryn White, SOSCP program manager.

White said the types of projects eligible for funding are spelled out in the terms of reference on the fund’s website, but she expects a range of projects covering everything from habitat protection and restoration to fuel reduction in areas where humans interface with wild lands.

“I imagine we’re going to see a broad spectrum of project applications,” said White. “This being the first year, people are getting to understand and know the fund, it may be a small collection of applications. I don’t know and I don’t think we’ll know until the deadline.”

White said the money allocated to the fund is a maximum of $450,000 for the entire service area.

While SOSCP, a partnership of 50 non-profit, government and First Nations organizations, helps to administer the fund, the RDOS is responsible for financial matters including projects, payments, financial audits and decision-making.

A technical review committee, established this summer by the RDOS, is ready to review project proposals and make recommendations to the RDOS for final funding approval.

The money comes from participating local governments.

For a project to be accepted, it must be submitted by or in partnership with a nonprofit organization.

There is no limit on the size of a project, but White said the evaluation criteria take into account the value for money and whether the project is able to leverage matching funds from other levels of government, funding foundations or the private sector.

The impetus for the fund came from observing similar funds in other parts of B.C. including the Kootenays, said White.

“They have been very successful for providing funding to support really badly needed sustainability projects that are locally driven,” she said. “We brought that concept forward to the regional district board.”

The fund was ultimately established last December, she said.

White said she made a presentation to Osoyoos town council last year and has had continued contact with Osoyoos.

But she deferred comment on why Osoyoos chose not to participate to Mayor Sue McKortoff.

McKortoff responded that council decided they would prefer to handle this issue as a municipality rather than through the RDOS.

“We will still work with Bryn White when we decide how to proceed,” McKortoff said in an email.

White noted that the fund is set up in a way that other communities could decide to participate at a later date.

“It is certainly open if communities wanted to join later,” she said. “And that might be something the Town of Osoyoos might decide to do.”

White said the fund could help with larger conservation initiatives by groups that are able to leverage additional funds elsewhere.

She cites the example of a private property on sensitive land in the Kootenays that was surrounded by conservation lands.

“They were able to purchase that private property with their conservation funds as the last dollars in to make it happen,” said White. “So you never know the power of what these funds to support projects can do.”

Those wanting more information about the South Okanagan Conservation Fund and the application process can visit www.soconservationfund.ca.

RICHARD McGUIRE

Osoyoos Times