Okanagan Mountain

The crowdfunding target has been reached, and all 151.7 acres of remarkably beautiful and ecological significance habitat has been protected. This property is surrounded by Okanagan Mountain Park, and holds a cherished place in the heart of British Columbia's interior.

The purchase helps support and kick off a larger campaign by the Okanagan Nation Alliance and the Okanagan Collaborative Conservation Program to create a wildlife corridor that runs 65 kilometres to Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park. That is part of a larger vision to continue a corridor down into Washington State.

Dixon Terbasket is the Cultural Coordinator with the Okanagan Nation Alliance. He sees the corridor and the protection of lands in it as essential to survival. "If we block the animals...we're slowly going to peter out the numbers, the numbers are going to decrease, and we're not going to have any more."

The Okanagan is home to one of the most vulnerable ecosystems in Canada, with a significant concentration of threatened species.

Butterflies, turtles, badgers, and dragonflies are only a fraction of the 150+ species who will all have a better chance at long term survival with this land protected and the corridor expanded.

"The park protects a whole host of species at risk" says local resident and University of British Columba Okanagan Professor Emeritus Dr. Ian Walker. "There are elk and mountain goats and bighorn sheep down in the park, as well as cougars and bears. Golden eagles are known to nest in the park. And you just go on and on.

Scott Boswell, Program Manager at Okanagan Collaborative Conservation Program emphasizes, "This property is one of the key remaining private properties left along Okanagan Lake. Studies over the last 16 years have shown a steady decline of natural areas around the lake. With continued development, we would see the loss of all natural areas around the lake within a generation or two. Protecting this property is so important for the entire region because it is one of the large fragments that we need to include into the park and to the connectivity to the other parks in the region as well."

To protect this beautiful natural area and ensure it is never developed, we have negotiated an agreement to purchase all 151.7-acres. With dedicated community groups and caring donors, $3.25 million of the $4 million needed has already been raised. You have the opportunity to act now to complete the purchase and close the deal before the clock runs out.