National parks aren’t established very often in Canada, which is why it is exciting that the Canadian government is considering creating a national park in the arid South Okanagan-Similkameen country in British Columbia.

We have the opportunity to help protect one of the most endangered ecosystems in Canada by taking two minutes to write to decision-makers. If you have taken action before, we still need your support, so don’t be shy to write again.

The South Okanagan-Similkameen is a nature lovers’ paradise: bobolinks, blue birds and badgers are found throughout this semi-arid landscape. Amongst the sweetly scented pine trees, rocky bluffs, rolling grasslands and sparkling lakes you can also find Rocky Mountain big horn sheep, grasshopper sparrows, cacti and even scorpions. The unique mountain-to-valley landscape supports some of the richest diversity of bird life in North America - all of which is threatened by rapid development and growing fragmentation of habitat.

The crown jewels in the park proposal are Vaseux Lake, renowned for its spectacular wildlife viewing including Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, mountain goats and a wide diversity of bird species; and White Lake which has important mid-elevation grasslands, alkali ponds and old growth stands of ponderosa pines. These two ecologically diverse areas are essential components to include the national park reserve.

There is concern that the federal government may leave Vaseux and White Lake out of the national park. This would be a terrible mistake as they are some of the most biologically rich areas in the entire proposal.

Let Environment Minister Jim Prentice and your local MP know how you feel about including White Lake and Vaseux Lake in the south Okanagan-Similkameen national park proposal – your actions today could help protect one of the most unique ecosystems in all of Canada.

Gwen Barlee | Policy Director
Wilderness Committee