Steinar Johnsen (in red) announces a donation of six hectares of pristine sage and bunchgrass habitat in the South Okanagan to the Southern Interior Land Trust during a bus tour, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Southern Interior Land Trust
October 16, 2023 - 2:41 PM
A local resident donated six hectares of land in the South Okanagan this past weekend in an effort to conserve wildlife in the region.
The Southern Interior Land Trust is a non-profit organization that “seeks to create a legacy of protected, important habitats for all living things by acquiring and maintaining ecologically significant gems and jewels of wildlife habitat in British Columbia's southern interior region,” according to its website.
Landowner Steinar Johnsen announced the sizeable donation during a bus tour on Oct. 14. It was on the the Bourguiba Spring stop of the tour, where Johnsen owns an adjacent property, that he made the announcement.
The land Johnsen donated includes pristine sage and bunchgrass hillside that provides vital habitat for many species, according to a press release.
Johnsen said that nature had always been a place for him to “recharge his batteries” and he hopes his neighbours will feel as passionately he does about wildlife conservation.
“It takes a commitment from each of us to ensure habitat for wildlife is conserved for all time,” last trust president Judie Steeves said in the release. “Everyone needs to give what they can, whether it be time and energy, financial support or gifts of skills or natural land features. Otherwise, our children’s children won’t know the wildflowers and creatures which have brought us joy during our lives.”
The property is considered very good quality habitat for animals ranging from big horned sheep to endangered birds and insect species, Jason Jones of EcoLogic Consultants said.
Within the same region, Jones had counted 27 rattlesnakes during a 15-minute hike. He also noted that more than 80 bird species and three dozen butterfly species — including the endangered Behr’s Hairstreak butterfly — rely on the local antelope brush for their existence.
Ecologist Don Gayton was also present on the tour and informed guests there's an abundance of bluebunch wheatgrass on the rocky hillsides of the property. Due to their vast network of roots, these plants make a great carbon capture mechanism.
The land trust’s properties are all open to the public for non-motorized use.
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