SOSCP: Building and Adapting Successful SOSCP: Building and Adapting Successful

Land Use and Conservation Partnerships for Land Use and Conservation Partnerships for

a Better Futurea Better Future

Bryn White, SOSCP Program Manager

For 2009 BC Land Summit

Whistler BCPhoto: Debbie Clarke, Parks Canada

The South OkanaganThe South Okanagan--Similkameen Area of Similkameen Area of

British ColumbiaBritish Columbia

Penticton

Kelowna

Kamloops

Vancouver

SpokaneSeattle

Portland

Columbia Basin

Image taken: Feb 2003

Like Nowhere ElseLike Nowhere Else

Richness

Rarity

Risk

Loss and Loss and

degradation of degradation of

our our

environmentenvironment

Green Services and AmenitiesGreen Services and Amenities

•Water storage, recharge, filtration, climate regulation, waste treatment, soils generation, storm water management, nutrient recycling

•region’s livability, public health and economic prosperity

•Resiliency to unanticipated pressures such as climate change, pest infestations, flooding

Conserving CanadaConserving Canada’’s Desert s Desert

CountryCountry

TogetherTogether

• 46 agencies working together cooperatively to achieve shared goals

•Over 70,000 hectares in conservation lands and stewarded properties

•Over $4 million worth of conservation work conducted each year

Maintain the rich biodiversity of the area, including species at risk.

Maintain a viable ecological corridor between the arid ecosystems to the south and the grasslands to the north.

Strategies:Strategies:

Promote and apply Traditional Ecological Promote and apply Traditional Ecological

KnowledgeKnowledge

Photo: Lisa Scott

StrategiesStrategies

Provide Scientific InformationProvide Scientific Information

Strategies:Strategies:

Negotiate the Acquisition of Key Properties for Negotiate the Acquisition of Key Properties for

ConservationConservation

Strategies:Strategies:

Enhance Stewardship on Private and Crown Enhance Stewardship on Private and Crown

LandsLands

• Direct/Targeted One-on-One Landowner Contact, and/or

• Community-based Stewardship

Photo: Lisa Scott Photo: Kathy Holm (TLC)

Strategies:Strategies:

Expand Community InvolvementExpand Community Involvement

Outreach and Education: EcoOutreach and Education: Eco--studies, Ecostudies, Eco--management workshops, Spotlight management workshops, Spotlight

on Specieson Species

Celebrations, Events: Meadowlark Festival, BC Rivers DayCelebrations, Events: Meadowlark Festival, BC Rivers Day

Loss or deterioration of ecosystemsLoss or deterioration of ecosystems►► This is a This is a major issuemajor issue: when : when

asked, 84% are concerned. Only asked, 84% are concerned. Only

1% 1% ““dondon’’t knowt know””..

Most likely to be Most likely to be ““very concerned:very concerned:

►► YoungerYounger residents (52%) and residents (52%) and

boomers (45%) more than boomers (45%) more than

seniors (37%). seniors (37%).

►► 2008 Residents of lower 2008 Residents of lower

Similkameen (87%).Similkameen (87%).

Q: How concerned are you about the loss or deterioration of our rare and unique natural ecosystems?

45%

39%

9%7%

1%

Very concerned

Somewhat concerned

Not very concerned

Not at all concerned

Don't know/refused

PoorlyPoorly--planned developmentplanned developmentMost likely to be Most likely to be ““very very concernedconcerned””::

►► Younger residents Younger residents (44%) and (44%) and boomersboomers(46%) more than (46%) more than seniors (33%). seniors (33%).

►► Residents of Residents of KeremeosKeremeos (67%) are (67%) are the most likely to be the most likely to be very concerned.very concerned.

Q: How concerned are you about environmental damage from poorly-planned housing & agricultural development?

41%

36%

13%

8%2%

Very concerned

Somewhat concerned

Not very concerned

Not at all concerned

Don't know/refused

Strategies:Strategies:

Promote Ecologically Sustainable Land UsePromote Ecologically Sustainable Land Use

Photo: Lisa Scott

Assisting with land use planning processes and providing informaAssisting with land use planning processes and providing information tion

and tools that support decision makers, the public and achieve and tools that support decision makers, the public and achieve

ecological objectives.ecological objectives.

•Official Community Plan reviews•Extension of science, mapping, workshops, capacity development•By-law toolkits, language, regional growth strategy

SOSCP is working with Planners and SOSCP is working with Planners and

other land practitionersother land practitioners

►►Providing technical and planning support Providing technical and planning support towards ecological standards and practices.towards ecological standards and practices.

►►Creating a Creating a ““Community of Practice and Community of Practice and SupportSupport””..

►►Working with local government planning Working with local government planning staff to build sustainable land use planning staff to build sustainable land use planning capacity.capacity.

A Biodiversity Conservation A Biodiversity Conservation

Strategy for the South Strategy for the South

Okanagan SimilkameenOkanagan Similkameen

Partners in Partners in

Conservation and Conservation and

SustainabilitySustainability