December 2023 Newsletter

Wishing You a Wonderful Holiday Season

It’s been a busy and exciting year for the Southern Interior Land Trust and we hope all of you had a satisfying and productive year as well.

During the gift-giving season, as we look to offer friends, family and employees something less material and more long-lasting, consider giving a gift that will help to conserve habitat for wild creatures in southern B.C.

Donations to SILT can be made in the name of your gift recipient, with a letter of thanks to that person and acknowledgement on our website of your generosity.

SILT is a registered charity, so donations are tax-deductible and can be directed to a particular project, if you desire.

Visit our website for more information.

Give Today

Property Bus Tour a Huge Success

One of SILT’s most recent projects was a bus tour of some of its South Okanagan properties for donors, complete with lunch and a wine tasting at Hester Creek Estate Winery to wind up the day.

The tour bus was full and there were plenty of questions of executive-director Al Peatt, ecologist Don Gayton and biologist Jason Jones, along with some of the many experienced naturalists on board.

A surprise announcement was made when the bus stopped at SILT’s most-recent acquisition, the 41-acre Bourguiba Spring property. Steinar Johnsen, who owns the neighbouring property, announced that he intends to donate 14 acres of property to be added to the Bourguiba Spring property.

Supporters also viewed work being done to restore Ginty’s Pond in Cawston by SILT, the B.C. Wildlife Federation, Lower Similkameen Indian Band, Province of BC and local volunteers.

All of SILT’s properties are open to the public for non-motorized use and enjoyment that does not endanger the natural features of each.

Photo by Dianne Bersea

Work Ongoing at Grasslands

Efforts are underway by SILT to construct wildlife friendly fencing on its Grand Forks grasslands properties to help prevent ongoing tresspass damage to the delicate ecosystem by grazing cattle and motorized vehicles.

With thanks to grants from Environment and Climate Change Canada's Habitat Stewardship Program, along with the generous financial support from Tom & Jennifer Foss and other donors, we were able to erect some fencing this year and install a cattle guard.

We would also like to recognize the in-kind work from road maintenance contractor Yellowhead Road & Bridge, Alpha Design of Merritt, and our collaboration with The Nature Trust of B.C., which owns an adjacent property. More work needs to be done though, and efforts will resume again on this project in early spring.

Any donations to help this expensive but vital work would be most appreciated. Contribute through our website or contact our Executive Director Al Peatt at 250-328-4699 or email him at: office@siltrust.ca

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Meet Our New Board Member

Bruce Hibbard

In June, the SILT welcomed newest board member, Bruce Hibbard to its board of directors.

Bruce, who lives in Penticton and works as Director of Sales at Hester Creek Estate Winery, brings an extensive background in marketing and sales experience to the SILT board.