As part of the extreme heat planning for the Okanagan-Similkameen Region, the Regional District Okanagan Similkameen (RDOS) is hosting a series of community engagement sessions both in person and virtual.
The RDOS says the sessions are an integral part of its “ongoing efforts to plan for enhanced regional resilience against extreme heat events”.
Each session will cover the same content, including:
- An overview of the project goals and current findings;
- Interactive workshops to gather the public’s insights, feedback and experiences.
The RDOS emphasizes that the sessions are an opportunity to voice concerns and share experiences around extreme heat events. It is also an opportunity to engage with project consultants and community leaders to discuss practical and actionable solutions.
The agenda for the in person sessions includes:
- Coffee/ Meet & Greet
- Presentation
- Round Table Workshop Activities
- Closing Comments
“We want to hear from you about how heat waves have impacted you in the past and what more is needed to protect our communities. Your input at these sessions is essential to help us chart a path toward helping our region stay safe and cool,” the RDOS said.
The sessions will be held in Oliver (May 21), Osoyoos (May 22), Summerland (May 23), Princeton (June 4), Keremeos (June 5), and Okanagan Falls (June 6).
In Oliver the Tuesday, May 21 session will be held at the Oliver Community Hall from 9-11 a.m. while in Osoyoos the Wednesday, May 22 session will be held at the Sonora Community Centre from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In addition to the in person sessions, four topic-specific collaborative virtual sessions will be held:
- May 15 (First Responders and Health Organizations/Service Providers),
- May 16 (RDOS/Municipal Staff/Recreation Facilities Staff),
- May 29 (Community Groups and Service Providers Supporting Vulnerable Groups) and,
- May 30 (Provincial Groups and Business Organizations).
To register for either the in-person (for catering purposes) or the virtual sessions visit: rdosregionalconnections.ca/extreme-heat
