Water and Landscapes along our Shorelines Workshops November 5 & 19

Protecting our Natural Assets – Water and Landscapes along our Shorelines

The RDOS is pleased to be able to co-sponsor a series of workshops, partnering with the RBC Blue Water Project Grant Fund and the South Okanagan and Similkameen Conservation Program. These free workshops focus on properties on or adjacent to lakefront, wetland and creek sides. Waterside property owners are encouraged to attend.

By definition, riparian areas link water to land. They border streams, lakes, and wetlands. The blend of streambed, water, trees, shrubs and grasses in a riparian area provides fish habitat, and directly influences water quality. Unfortunately, upwards of 57% of the water’s edge along our main-stem lakes and creeks has been modified, damaged or affected by human habitation. The need to understand these natural buffers is of critical importance to all of us living or visiting the Okanagan-Similkameen.

Three experts have come together to discuss why we need to care about protecting our shoreline habitats.  These introductory workshops will show you how to recognize and maintain healthy habitats along our shorelines and riparian areas.
Workshop participants will gain an understanding of:

• Function of riparian areas and how they contribute to ecosystem health and water quality
• Regulations of riparian areas for homeowners along waterways, shorelines and beach fronts, as they protect both the land value and biological value of waterfront properties. Regulations can differ depending on where you live, therefore the information will be specific to each location
• Landscaping with easy-care, hardy native plants, shrubs and trees suitable to plant along the shoreline to act as buffers and to protect banks from erosion
• Invasive species, aquatic/ terrestrial species information and control

The first introductory workshops in this series:

November 5, 2016 10 am – 12:30 pm at the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen
101 Martin St., Penticton

November 19, 2016 10 am – 12:30 pm Room 1 at the Oliver Recreation Centre
6359 Park Dr., Oliver

Watch for information on ‘Hands on’ neighbourhood field days that will follow these workshops beginning in the spring of 2017.

For more information and to register contact:
Coordinator Eva Antonijevic at evaantonijevic@gmail.com or at 250.486.2303.

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For further information, visit the RDOS Facebook page and RDOS Web Site.

Mark Pendergraft, Chair
Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen