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Through its Conservation Fund, the Regional District of North Okanagan awarded $104,490 in 2024 to six projects to help conserve natural areas and restore and protect water, land and wildlife.

The Conservation Fund is a local government service bylaw that is funded through a dedicated tax collected in the RDNO electoral areas B, C, D, E, F, the City of Armstrong and the Village of Lumby. Projects must take place in one or more of these areas to be eligible for funding. OCCP assists the RDNO staff by promoting the fund, supporting local organizations to develop grant submissions, coordinating the technical advisory committee who review grant submissions, and making recommendations of support to the RDNO board of directors.

If you are interested in applying for the next round of funding in the fall of 2024, please review the fund’s Terms of Reference [266 KB PDF link, opens new tab] or contact OCCP at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

1. Armstrong Wetland Association, Okanagan Street Wetland Enhancement Project, Wetland restoration for biodiversity and flood mitigation

   The Armstrong Wetland Association is undertaking a wetland enhancement restoration project at 3185 Okanagan Street in the downtown core of Armstrong. The City owns this property, and the Association would like to create an open pond, construct a boardwalk, and build a bird viewing platform with educational signage. In 2023, the Association completed a feasibility study and environmental assessment by a Qualified Environmental Professional outlining the benefits and process for the restoration/enhancement project.

2. Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship Society, Growing GreenerLandowner Stewardship and Habitat Restoration

   The Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship Society (OSSS) is launching a “Growing Greener: Community Engagement on Riparian and Wetland Conservation” project. Through social marketing and targeted messages, the OSSS aims to engage with landowners on restoration initiatives, empowering the community to protect and restore these vital natural habitats, ultimately contributing to healthier and more resilient ecosystems within the conservation fund service area.

3. 

   Friends of Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park, Invasive Species ControlInvasive Plant Inventory and Control

   The Friends of Kalamalka Lake will design an invasive plant program that includes creating an inventory of invasive plants, establishing experimental plots to test control methods, and manually removing invasives. The project will concentrate its efforts along the 25km of authorized trails within the park, focusing on removing rush skeletonweed, hoary alyssum, garlic mustard, sulphur cinquefoil and St. John’s wort. The removal of invasive plants is important because if left unchecked, the invasives can overtake many of the native plants that our wildlife depend on for food.

4. Invasive Species Council of BC, Aquatic Invasive Species Control

   This project aims to address the threat of aquatic invasive species to local biodiversity and ecosystems by reducing the spread of aquatic invasive species such as Yellow Flag Iris. This project will engage with Dr. Catherine Tarasoff to host a yellow flag iris workshop focusing on a unique control method of benthic barriers and deep water cutting. Land managers and organizations can use the control methods and knowledge taught to participants to prevent, reduce, and remove invasive species. The project will also develop signs illustrating how boaters can help prevent the spread of aquatic invasives. The yellow flag iris poses a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity by changing hydrology and ecosystem function and reducing critical wildlife habitats.

5. Cherryville Community Club, Cherry Creek RestorationRiparian restoration for biodiversity and flood mitigation

   In the past few years, Cherry Creek has been impacted by a logjam buildup, which has altered the downstream movement and buildup of sediment/gravel and woody debris/logs. In 2019 and 2020, Cherry Creek diverted through Hanson Park, significantly impacting community recreational infrastructure. The large log jam was causing erosion of adjacent and downstream properties. Woody debris and boulder structures will be installed on the left bank of the creek, effectively preventing erosion, and the community group would now like to install woody debris and boulders on the right bank to prevent erosion and contribute to fish habitat.

6. North Okanagan Naturalists’ Club, Swan Lake Habitat RestorationWetland Habitat Enhancement

   The North Okanagan Naturalists Club will continue its efforts to implement the restoration plan it developed in 2021 for the Swan Lake Nature Reserve. This work will enhance habitat diversity by restoring the cultivated area adjacent to Swan Lake and BC Creek to target nesting and basking habitat for the Western painted turtle, create feed and resting habitat for the great blue Heron and create habitat for the spadefoot toad.