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Syilx Territory, Osoyoos, B.C. – Against the backdrop of an exceptionally dry spring and record-low snowpacks across the valley, a critical annual climate resilience campaign officially launched today in Canada’s only desert community.
Gathering at Osoyoos Town Hall, the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB), FireSmart™ BC, and local leaders joined forces to kick off the annual “Make Water Work, Plant FireSmart™” campaign. This year’s initiative places an urgent focus on three core pillars: Protecting What Matters, being Water Smart, and staying FireSmart™.
With May 1, 2026 snowpacks sitting at a concerning low of just 31% of normal, and the International Osoyoos Lake Board of Control already declaring official drought conditions for the basin, the call for community-led action has never been more vital.
Hosting the launch, OBWB Director and Osoyoos Mayor Sue McKortoff emphasized that climate resilience must start right in our own backyards.
“Living in Osoyoos, we understand more than anyone how precious and scarce water truly is,” said Director McKortoff. “As we face down an unpredictable summer with early drought conditions, we have a collective responsibility to Protect What Matters — our families, our homes, and our beautiful valley. Being Water Smart isn't just about conservation anymore; it's about survival for our agricultural sector, our local ecosystems, and our wildfire defenses. By merging water conservation with FireSmart™ landscaping, we can design yards that look beautiful, save water, and serve as a shield against wildfire.”
To make the biggest impact possible, the OBWB has continued its vital partnership with FireSmart™ BC, providing residents with actionable ways to protect their properties.
"The choices we make in our yards directly impact our community’s vulnerability,” said Karla Hoffman, FireSmart™ BC Landscaping Expert. “What you plant, and where you plant it, matters. By choosing FireSmart™ vegetation and keeping a non-combustible zone within 1.5 meters of our homes, we are reducing fire risk. Prevention is our best protection. And, when we choose drought tolerant plants, water wisely, and plant strategically, we’re doing double duty: conserving our dropping groundwater levels and creating fire-resistant landscapes.”
OBWB Chair and Lake Country Mayor Blair Ireland noted that the extreme climate trends hitting the valley demand a unified approach.
“The increasing heat and extended drought demand that every single resident become conscious of their outdoor water use. Outdoor residential irrigation remains the second-largest use of water in the valley. If we change how we manage our lawns and gardens, we can drastically improve our water security,” said Chair Ireland.
Central to the campaign is the Make Water Work Plant Collection, a curated database of over 100 perennials, grasses, shrubs, and trees developed alongside the Okanagan Xeriscape Association. These plants are uniquely adapted to thrive in the Okanagan's semi-arid climate without requiring excessive irrigation. New this year, the list includes labels that show which items are also deer-resistant.
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