This is as ground floor and as grassroots as it gets.  If you’d like to help create a plan to manage one of the newest Regional Parks, then here’s your chance.

The Regional District of Central Okanagan has launched the public process that will help develop a long-term management plan for Johns Family Nature Conservancy Regional Park.

Last year the RDCO and Central Okanagan Land Trust (COLT) announced their partnership in protecting 323-hectares of land donated to COLT from the estate of Alfred and Nancy Johns, protecting it as an undeveloped park for wildlife.  These lands along the south slopes were combined with the almost 80-hectares of Cedar Mountain Regional Park just off Chute Lake Road for the new Johns Family Nature Conservancy Regional Park.

RDCO Communications Officer Bruce Smith says, “Now we’re starting the process to develop a Management Plan for this park.  In respecting the wishes of the Johns family, the plan will help set the goals and standards under which the Regional District will operate, manage and steward the habitat values of these ecologically significant lands while providing educational and recreational outdoor experiences.  The management plan will set out shorter term management and policies as well as creating a vision for the park ten years down the road.  We’re looking to create a sustainable balance between habitat and wildlife protection and access to the lands.”

Development of the Johns Family Nature Conservancy Regional Park Management Plan involves extensive input and participation from stakeholders along with opportunities for all residents and neighbours to become involved.   “Online surveys and Information Open Houses” Smith says, “are some of the ways we hope to involve residents from across the Central Okanagan.”

The first Open House is planned for Tuesday, April 8th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall of the First Lutheran Church and School, 4091 Lakeshore Road in Kelowna.  Interested residents are welcome to drop in, learn about the Johns Family Nature Conservancy Regional Park and how they can become involved during the process of developing the Management Plan.

Throughout the development of the management plan information can be found at regionaldistrict.com/parksmanagementplans.  It’s anticipated a draft plan will be presented early this fall for consideration of the Regional Board.

News from © iNFOnews, 2014