This week is about recognizing the different invasives that are found in the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys and how they can be managed. Firstly, not all introduced plants are considered invasive, they only claim that invasive status when they start taking over and disturbing the biodiversity in the area. And like most things, there is a spectrum of how bad they are and their priority level. Some are prioritized if they are not yet prolific in an area. So if they start sho

When people think of roses, it's normal to imagine a dozen of red roses you give to loved ones, but did you know there are a couple different kinds of wild roses in the Okanagan and Similkameen? One of the common species you'll see is called the Nootka rose. These roses will have big pink flowers that will bloom in late spring or early summer. They will also produce rose hips in the fall that will last into the winter. This is super important for many species of ungulates and

Cattails are an iconic part of many wetlands, and like anything, they are good in moderation. Cattails provide great habitat for many species, like red-wing blackbirds, Chorus frogs and Yellow-headed blackbirds. However, in certain ponds, cattails have taken over to the point that they are causing problems. They are prolific spreaders, reproducing via seeds and self-cloning. Because of this they can limit the diversity in the area and the amount of open water. The reason that

Nestled on the Naramata Bench, local growers are proving that agriculture and nature can thrive side by side. Along Aikins Loop, Elephant Island Winer y and JoieFarm Winer y are blending the art of winemaking with the science of stewardship—planting native vegetation, attracting beneficial insects, and strengthening their vineyards. Through the Farming With Wildlife initiative, a project led by Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship (OSS), the two vineyards partnered to install

Christmas is on its way, so some of you might be looking for Christmas trees out in the bush or out at a farm. This means you might come...

You might be familiar with buckwheat through breakfast foods and pancakes, but did you know that there are around 250 species of wild...