Give the Gift of Stewardship this Christmas

Ahead of me, I could see a virtual stream of California bighorn sheep flowing across my path and up the hill. The small herd stopped in the grass at the top of the slope and looked back at me, silhouetted majestically against the sky.

The sight made me so very grateful to the many supporters of the Southern Interior Land Trust who made it possible for us to conserve 144 hectares of productive grassland near Grand Forks where this band of wild sheep roam, along with a wide diversity of birds, plants and other wildlife.

It’s just one of the gems of natural habitat we have been able to protect and help to restore for wildlife and other living things around the southern interior of B.C., thanks to donations from people like you.

At a vital wetland nearby, SILT has conserved a former oxbow of the Kettle River where at-risk Painted Turtles, gangly Blue Herons and a variety of other birds and wildlife make their homes.

We are also in the process of guiding an amazing transformation at the six-hectare nʔaʕx̌ʷt - Ginty’s Pond property in Cawston, a former oxbow of the Similkameen River, which runs adjacent to that SILT wetland property.

That project involves a collaboration with the B.C. Wildlife Federation and the Lower Similkameen Indian Band as well as local residents and the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship.

Nearby, wildlife biologist and terrestrial ecologist Dr. Jason Jones has been donating his time conducting a bioinventory of the 16-hectare Bourguiba Spring property outside Osoyoos, monitoring and documenting the variety of species that have benefited from SILT’s purchase of that hillside property in 2022.

During this giving season, consider helping SILT continue to conserve habitat for wildlife by donating through our property steward program at:

Become a Property Steward

You can give a gift in the name of a loved one with your gift to SILT, or in memoriam. Thanks for all that you do.

All of us at SILT hope you have a satisfying and joyful season and the best to you in 2026. Enjoy our glorious natural outdoors in all seasons of the year.

—judie steeves

president, SILT

Edward's Pond

Painted Turtles

by...Payton Maffioli

Edwards Pond has always held a special place in my heart; my mom would bring me to the pond almost every weekend during the late spring and summer months to observe the unique ecosystem full of flourishing wildlife, with our eyes keen on spotting the painted turtles (Chrysemys picta), peacefully soaking up the warm sun on their favourite logs.

More often than not, we would come across many turtles stuck between the tracks of the railway that runs right through the riparian area, and some weren’t that lucky due to factors such as train strikes, ease of capture for predators, and dehydration.

nʔaʕx̌ʷt - Ginty’s Pond wetland restoration exceeds targets!

by...Al Peatt

Abundant wildlife, cultural use, and nature-related recreation have returned to SILT’s nʔaʕx̌ʷt - Ginty’s Pond wetland at Cawston in the Similkameen River watershed. Two of the planned three phases of restoration to return the aging wetland to a more productive open-water habitat and to create new species-at-risk habitats are complete.

Planning and fund-raising for a final Phase 3 recovery effort next year are underway. Stewardship activities in 2025 included monitoring of wildlife use and planted trees and shrubs, planting more ‘emergent’ aquatic plants—

Vehicles & Dumping are Damaging Grassland Habitat

Despite a vehicle closure now in its 5^th year, people continue to disregard SILT’s private land ownership of its Grand Forks Grasslands conservation property.

People are welcome to walk on SILT’s land to enjoy nature and wildlife-related recreation, but vehicles, dogs, fires, litter, livestock, and camping are all prohibited. “SILT purchased this land to protect and produce wildlife”, says SILT’s executive director and biologist, Al Peatt. “We will be ramping up controls to prevent further habitat damage by trespassers.”

Users are asked to obey signage and respect this sensitive grassland. The Morrissey Creek public road ends before the yellow gate, and all vehicle operators are asked to park there or turn around. The land beyond the yellow gate is private; there are no public trails or roads beyond the gate.

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