“How do we get from here to there?” is a new exhibit opening at Allan Brooks Nature Centre on Friday, May 8.
The exhibit is sponsored by the Okanagan Collaboration Conservation Program (OCCP) which includes 34 partner organizations working together to share information, carry out research and set priorities on conservation issues in the Okanagan Region.
The exhibit was developed by some of OCCP’s partners. An opening reception for funders, partners, and friends will be held on Friday, May 8, from 3 to 5 p.m., at Allan Brooks Nature Centre in Vernon.
“How do we get from here to there?” explores wildlife travel patterns through the year and the importance of preserving habitat corridors needed by wildlife. The family-friendly exhibit follows a badger, bighorn sheep, spadefoot, and gopher snake as they travel through a year.
The OCCP and its sister organization, the South Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Program (SOSCP), recently completed “Keeping Nature in Our Future, A Biodiversity Conservation Strategy for the Okanagan Region.”
The strategy presents conservation options to preserve natural habitat corridors in the Okanagan Valley. The exhibit is part of public education about how communities can protect habitat for the benefit of local residents as well as wildlife.
“It is really exciting so see the display opening. The exhibit themes feature local wildlife and the problems they face but also demonstrate how conservation partners have collaborated to protect nature in the north, central and south Okanagan. The display will travel to multiple venues from Vernon to Osoyoos over the next two years,” said Carol Luttmer who is the OCCP coordinator.
It will be open May 8 to mid-September at Allan Brooks Nature Centre then move to the Environmental Education Centre at Mission Creek Regional Park in Kelowna, then travel on to Penticton and Osoyoos in 2016.
“We are looking forward to hosting the exhibit which links well to public programs and workshop that Allan Brooks Nature Centre will be presenting this spring, summer and fall. The public can participate in Citizen Science projects like the BC Community Bat Program by signing up with Allan Brooks Nature Centre,” said Aaron Deans, director of the Nature Centre.
“May is a wonderful time to visit the Centre with wildlife such as Western Meadowlarks, Yellow-bellied Marmots and other wildlife viewing opportunities on the trails as well as exploring the exhibits in the Nature Centre.“
Exhibit funders include the, TD Friends of the Environment, Vancouver Foundation, TELUS, and the Okanagan Basin Water Board. The Nature Centre is located at 250 Allan Brooks Way, south of Vernon, off 34th Street (Mission Rd.) above the Army Camp on the Commonage, and is open Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
