Regional board to decide conservation fund allocations

PENTICTON – The Penticton Creek restoration project could benefit from a major portion of this year’s South Okanagan Conservation Fund if the regional board approves recommendations for funding at this week’s director’s meeting.

The conservation fund has a total of $292,837 up for grabs this year, as a staff report to come before the directors recommends eight projects for funding.

The Penticton Creek restoration project stands to benefit most from the fund, with a recommendation to fund $159,000 worth of work to restore upper reach area 3A and reach 3B of the project.

Ten proposals for funding, seeking a total of $376,191 were presented in 2018, with the technical advisory committee recommending funding of $292,837 to eight projects.

Six of the proposals are for multi-year projects while two are continuing multi-year proposals.

The other seven projects recommended include:

• Invasive plant management on Nature Conservancy of Canada’a South Okanagan Conservation areas in the amount of $10,000.
• South Okanagan bat restoration initiative in the amount of $17,137
• Love your lakes- personalized shoreline assessments and restoration demonstration site through the Southern Interior Land Trust in the amount of $39,556
• Trout Creek restoration project through the Okanagan Nation Alliance in the amount of $5,000
• Fairview Heritage townsite enhancement project through the Fairview Heritage Townsite Society in the amount of $2,000
• Habitat stewardship and enhancement in the South Okanagan through the Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship Society in the amount of $40,000
• Conserving South Okanagan habitats through an invasive-free certification program through the Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society in the amount of $20,144.

The fund was established in late 2016 to undertake and administer activities, projects and works that include such things as water, environment, wildlife, land and habitat conservation.

This is the second round of funding allocations for the conservation initiative.

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