Funding blooms for community gardens
Community garden support has taken root.
The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee will provide the Community Garden Network with $7,500 in 2013 to hire an administrator.
There is no guarantee of future funding but director Bob Spiers believes there may be pressure.
“If we lock ourselves in this year, it will be difficult to go to another model,” he said.
The co-ordinator would oversee the day-to-day operations of the two existing gardens — East Hill and West Vernon school — and a proposed site at Okanagan College.
“There is definitely interest (in community gardens),” said Tannis Nelson, GVAC’s community development co-ordinator.
“It’s a recreation option for people.”
Cultural grants awarded
The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee has agreed to early budget approval so $30,000 can be presented to six groups.
“Some of the organizations need a yes or no to start working on their projects,” said Tannis Nelson, community development co-ordinator.
Funds will go to the Caetani Cultural Centre, the Greater Vernon Museum, the Kalamalka Highlanders Pipe Band, Mackie Lake House, the North Okanagan Optimists Club and the North Okanagan Music Society.
Water levels
look good
It continues to look like Greater Vernon will have sufficient water supply this year.
Snowpack on the Aberdeen plateau is 102 to 129 per cent of normal depending on location.
“We have a good snowpack and I’m sure we’ll fill reservoirs,” said Dale McTaggart, engineering general manager for the Regional District of North Okanagan.
Actual water availability, though, will depend on what happens with the weather this spring and summer.
Watershed a
priority
Conditions along a major water source are the focus of a proposed initiative.
The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee is seeking funds from the Okanagan Basin Water Board for watershed protection along Kalamalka Lake and Coldstream Creek.
“We would prioritize the projects we want done in the watershed,” said Renee Clark, GVAC’s water quality manager.
Director Bob Fleming supports the process of preserving the watershed.
“It’s protection of what everyone is drinking,” he said.
COMMENTS
Let's keep comments:
We ask that all participants own their words by logging in with their Facebook account. It's a simple process that will take seconds and helps keep our comments free of trolls, cranks, and “drive-by” commenters.
We reserve the right to remove comments from anyone using screen names, pseudonyms or false identities. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.