The boardwalk leads through the unique vegetation of the Osoyoos Desert Centre. (© Richard McGuire photo)
Times-Chronicle Staff
With COVID-19 Phase 2 re-opening in the works for British Columbians, the Osoyoos Desert Centre is announced its opening day Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“The past few months have been really challenging times for everyone,” said Osoyoos Desert Society’s managing director Jayme Friedt. “I’ve heard over and over again how important nature is to people, how re-energizing it is, and how mentally and spiritually uplifting it is. We are so happy we can provide a venue for people to immerse themselves in nature and experience our spectacular natural spaces!”
In order to protect the well-being of visitors, volunteers and staff, the Desert Centre will be adhering to WorkSafeBC safety protocols. Those protocols include making hand sanitizers available, enhanced cleaning measures, adding a protective shield at the admissions desk, limiting the number of visitors in the interpretive building and on the boardwalk at any one time and encouraging social distancing.
“We are very excited about the prospect of being part of people’s staycation plans this year. The health and well-being of everyone visiting or working at the Desert Centre is top of mind,” Friedt said. “We ask that everyone please exercise common sense, best-practices and keep our communities safe!”
Visitors are invited to get outdoors and take in the rare antelope-brush habitat unique to the South Okanagan. The centre also features a 1.5-km boardwalk that meanders through the antelope-brush habitat offering an elevated view of the plant and animal life that exists there including Spadefoots, Behr’s Hairstreak butterflies, Nuttall’s Cottontail, Western Bluebirds and of course, antelope-brush, several species of sage and the prickly pear cactus to name a few.
Visitors can also take a stroll through the Desert Centre’s native plant demonstration garden and inside the centre’s interpretive building there are educational displays highlighting the many plants and animal life that make antelope-brush habitat so special. An outdoor picnic area at the centre offers visitors a spot to sit and enjoy a snack or a bagged lunch and enjoy the views.
Osoyoos Desert Centre spring hours are Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is $20 for families, $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, $6 for youth (ages 6-17) and children five and under are free. At this time, the Desert Centre will not be accepting cash and require visitors to pay by debit card or credit card.
The Osoyoos Desert Centre is located at 14580 – 146 Avenue, 3 km north of Osoyoos off Highway 97. For more information call 250-495-2470, visit www.desert.org or email [email protected].
