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July 12, 2021 - 11:26 AM
B.C. Parks is spending $314,000 for 10 hectares of rare grassland near Okanagan Falls.
The purchase of private land will expand the White Lake Grasslands Protected Area once consultation with First Nations are complete.
The region has dry grassland, open pine forest, alkali pond and rock outcroppings in the South Okanagan Basin, which provides habitat for blue and red listed species, according to an Environment Ministry media release.
"Our parks and protected areas are rich with biodiversity and provide critical habitat for numerous species," Environment Minster George Heyman said in the release. "By working with our partners, the ecological, recreational and cultural values of these unique and special places will be protected and enjoyed for years to come.”
B.C. has spent $2.47 million for a total of 229 ha of land recently for seven provincial parks, along with the White Lake protected area.
There are 1,036 provincial parks, recreation areas, conservancies, ecological reserves and protected areas covering more than 14 million hectares or approximately 14.4 per cent of the provincial land base, the ministry said. During the past four years, BC Parks acquired 1,144 hectares of land to expand provincial parks and protected areas.
To see the B.C. Parks Land Acquisition Report go here.
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