By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle
The Osoyoos Desert Centre is inviting the public to enjoy the outdoors and the beauty of the rare antelope-brush habitat unique to the South Okanagan for its 25th anniversary.
At the open house on Saturday April 27, 10 am to 2 pm visitors can tour its 1.5 km elevated boardwalk that meanders through the habitat, have a look at the Centre’s native plant garden to learn about the local flora adapted to the desert environment and interact with hands-on displays inside the interpretive building.
An outdoor picnic area at the Centre offers visitors a spot to sit and enjoy a snack or a bagged lunch and soak in the views.
Osoyoos Desert Centre stewards 67 acres of at-risk Antelope-brush habitat.
Noting that it is a special milestone year the organization Jayme Friedt, Osoyoos Desert Centre Executive Director said the ODC has played a big part in furthering the understanding of the region’s natural spaces.
“Each year we welcome on average 10,000 visitors from around the world. That’s a quarter million people in our 25-year history! It truly is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all the volunteers, staff and visitors who have brought us to where we are today.”
“We offer people a chance to immerse themselves in this incredible environment while respecting its delicate nature,” Friedt adds.
“People are blown away by the landscape and love discovering all the plants and critters that call our desert home.” this includes Spadefoots, Behr’s Hairstreak, Nuttall’s Cottontail, Western Bluebirds, and of course the antelope-brush and prickly pear cactus, amongst others, she said.
Antelope Brush in bloom at the Osoyoos Desert Centre.
To mark the beginning of their 25th anniversary celebrations, the first 25 people through the Centre’s gates on opening day receive a special 25th anniversary ODC fridge magnet.
Local artist Nancy Gray will also be on hand opening day to do face painting. Kids and adults can have their cheeks adorned with Nancy’s colourful drawings of badgers, snakes, butterflies and all sorts of other desert critters.
“We are so looking forward to celebrating 25 years this season,” Friedt said. Coming this year will be various workshops, a Nature Talks line up, and in August the return of the popular Romancing the Desert.
This one-of-a-kind event pairs an evening in the extraordinary antelope-brush habitat with some of the region’s best wineries and chef’s creations. “It’s a truly magical night,” says Friedt.
Prickly Pear Cactus at the Osoyoos Desert Centre.
Osoyoos Desert Centre is located at 14580 – 146 Avenue, three kilometres north of Osoyoos. Spring hours are Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is $25 for families, $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, $8 for youth (ages 6-17) and children 5 and under are free. For more information call 250-495-2470, visit desert.org or email [email protected].
Spadefoots at the Osoyoos Desert Centre.
