OSOYOOS DESERT SOCIETY

Presentation to the Town of Osoyoos

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

PRESENTATION

• Activities over the past year

• Upcoming projects • Partnership with the Town

DESERT SOCIETY OVERVIEW

• Long track record – almost 30 years old • 1991 – Society founded (non-profit)

• 1998 – Society secured 67 acres for a nature

education facility, the Osoyoos Desert Centre

• Two motivating factors behind Society’s efforts

ENVIRONMENT

To conserve and restore our local

desert habitat Antelope-brush ecosystem one of Canada’s rarest and most endangered habitats

IMPORTANCE

Region important to conserve • Richness – home to rich diversity of species • Rarity – has species found nowhere else in Canada • Risk – high concentration of threatened and

endangered species

COMMUNITY

To benefit the community

Osoyoos Desert Centre benefits community by: • Promoting Osoyoos • Attracting tourists • Providing jobs and volunteer opportunities • Providing education • Hosting activities • Conserving the desert habitat that makes Osoyoos

so special

ACTIVITIES – 2018 and 2019

Activities reflect Society’s vision: • Help the environment • Serve the community Show connection between environment and community Show connection between Society and community • Desert Society contributes to community • Community makes Society’s efforts possible

DESERT CENTRE

Welcomes visitors from around the world • 2018 attendance down but still good considering

floods, fires and late opening

Volunteer and job opportunities • 50-60 volunteers, including a very dedicated and hardworking board • Tour guides (seasonal) • Education Coordinator (part-time) • Restoration Coordinator (part-time) • Executive Director

COMMUNITY EDUCATION

Winter lecture series • Record attendance in 2018

Presentations and outreach

DESERT SOCIETY EVENTS

2018 • Night tours 2019 • Bluebird nestbox workshop • Summer fundraiser

SUPPORT COMMUNITY EVENTS

Local organizations • 2018 Art About Town Other conservation groups • SORCO Open House • Meadowlark Festival 2019 program at the Sonora Centre

SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Free tours for local schools (funded by Fortis BC) • Free tours for about 200 students/year

Post-secondary programs

RESEARCH

Site for research studies Species data • Sightings records • Bluebird stats • Game cameras

NATIVE LANDSCAPING

Desert Centre • Demonstration garden • Planting and pruning

Resources and expertise

HABITAT RESTORATION

Restoration work parties • Volunteers

Seed collection

Invasive weed control • Stewardship Society • Bio-control agents

BREEDING SITES

Bluebird nestboxes

Butterfly habitat (Behr’s Hairstreak)

Spadefoot breeding ponds

BOARDWALK UPGRADES

Boardwalk repairs • Accessibility and safety upgrades (funded by Osoyoos Credit Union) Bluebird sign • New interpretive sign (funded by the Community Foundation)

BUILDING MAINTENANCE

2018 building damage

• Roof leaks caused severe ceiling and floor damage

• Repairs made thanks to Board members and donations from local businesses

• 3 week delay in opening

NEW BUILDING

Major focus of our efforts in coming months • Building – new 12 x 60 foot modular

• Entry – improved access ramp and new deck

• Exhibits – new educational displays

• Landscaping – additional native plants around

building

BUIILDING FUNDING

Nearly $110,000 raised to date (goal $120,000) • Town of Osoyoos • Osoyoos Credit Union • Regional District • Community Foundation • Burrowing Owl Winery • Province of BC • Telus Community Ambassadors Okanagan • Individual donors

Town provided initial funding and made the project possible

PARTNERSHIP

Town’s annual funding to the Desert Society also very important ($15,000 in 2018) Pays for core expenses not covered by grants Funding makes a big difference to the Society and what we are able to accomplish

LOOKING AHEAD

Still a lot to accomplish in the years ahead As always, volunteers will play a major role • Society depends on volunteers • Especially in need of volunteers right now • Invites anyone interested to contact us Funding from supporters like the Town of Osoyoos also vital

THANK YOU!

Town’s support helps the Society contribute to the community: • Environment • Economy • Social well-being Helps us connect people and environment

CONTACT INFORMATION

Osoyoos Desert Society Box 123

Osoyoos, BC V0H 1V0 250-495-2470

mail@desert.org