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South Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Program – A Model for Habitat Conservation and Restoration. June, 2003. Objectives of Presentation. Discuss the Partnership, goals and strategies for conservation Discuss the need for a landscape approach for conservation in the Okanagan
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South Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Program – A Model for Habitat Conservation and Restoration June, 2003
Objectives of Presentation • Discuss the Partnership, goals and strategies for conservation • Discuss the need for a landscape approach for conservation in the Okanagan • Show how the SOSCP approach ties conservation and restoration of important habitats with recovery of species at risk
South Okanagan-Similkameen Conservation Program • SOSCP was formed in July 2000 • “Partnership” of non-government and government organizations with shared interests in biodiversity conservation • SOSCP developed a common vision and a comprehensive and strategic approach to achieve conservation goals • A landscape approach to conservation
Formation of SOSCP • SOSCP is a cooperative, coordinated approach • Not a legal entity – rather a program approach • Partners provide program resources • Partners deliver services • Presently 32 Partners organizations
Program Goals • A. Conserve critical habitats and north south corridor • Wetland/riparian • Rugged Terrain • Grasslands/Shrub-steppe • Coniferous Forest • Aquatic (newly added)
Program Goals • B. Recovery of species at risk • Support the recovery and maintenance of individual species populations • Recover and manage sufficient habitat to ensure: • The long term viability of individual populations • Prevent the decline of other species
SOSCP Strategies • Science – guides the program, setting conservation priorities and prescriptions • Outreach – raise conservation awareness in the community • Stewardship – conserve habitat by assisting private landowner achieve their conservation objectives • TEK – support the collection and use by First Nations of traditional ecological knowledge and culture • Sustainable Land Use Planning – ensure technical information is available for local government decision makers • Securement – establish permanent conservation on crucial habitats
Mapping of Sensitive Habitats (Protection of Environmentally Sensitive Lands)
En’Owkin Centre Cottonwood Riparian Habitat Restoration170 volunteers!
Benefits Partners Receive from a Collaborative Approach • Leverage of resources • Increased potential for funding • Improved efficiencies • Increased public awareness • Facilitating work on the ground
Why A Landscape Strategy? • Long-term conservation goal is to recover and maintain a viable ecosystem • Ensuring the recovery and preventing the future decline of species requires recovery and maintaining functional ecosystems • This means conservation of habitats and their connectedness
Why the Landscape Strategy? • The South Okanagan-Similkameen landscape is complex • Habitats are a continuum (e.g. aquatic/riparian) • 38 federally listed species- more may be added. • Can’t focus on individual species alone • The landscape is the common link between habitats
Linking it all together…..SOSCP Landscape Approach TEK Outreach Securement Stewardship Sust. Land Use SOSCP Prospectus SOSCP Strategic Plan SOSCP Landscape Recovery Plan (SOSCP Science Team) Implementation SOSCP Teams
Linking it all together…..Recovery of Species at Risk Landscape Recovery Plan (SOSCP Science Team) Lewis’ woodpecker Herps Plants Recovery Teams & Plans Badger White-headed woodpecker Western Screech Owl Inverts SARA & Listed Species
Linking it all together….. Recovery of Habitats TEK Outreach Securement Stewardship Sust. Land Use Grass lands Coniferous forest Riparian Rough terrain Aquatic SOSCP Prospectus SOSCP Strategic Plan SOSCP Landscape Recovery Plan (SOSCP Science Team) Implementation SOSCP Teams Recovery Teams & Plans SARA & Listed Species
An Example….riparian species • Multi-species Plant RAG • Riparian/Wetland Plants • Yellow-breasted Chat • Western Screech Owl • Amphibian/Reptile RAG
Summary • The SOSCP model of cooperation and collaboration is working to leverage resources and achieve results on the ground • In the Okanagan we need to work at the landscape level for conservation of habitats and species • SOSCP is developing a landscape recovery plan that links recovery of species to habitats on the landscape