On Feb. 26, we, along with thousands of North Okanagan residents, celebrated when we heard that our beloved Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park would not be divided and reduced by a highway and transmission line corridor.
We celebrated on behalf of those insightful members of our community who, years ago, had the wisdom to work towards protecting this provincial jewel. We celebrated on behalf of our future generations, who will also be able to enjoy this rare grassland landscape and ecosystem, when so much else has disappeared under development. We celebrated on behalf of the grassland birds and wildlife that will have one less threat to their fragile existence.
We thank MLA Eric Foster, Coldstream council, the RDNO board, B.C. Parks, the Ministry of Transportation and ICBC for the time they took to hear our concerns and provide information.
Finally, we thank the thousands of citizens and many organizations who shared their passion for this precious provincial park by signing our petition, writing letters, attending meetings and meeting with elected representatives. Their involvement was critical in preventing the removal of land from the park.
We look forward to continuing our collaborative work with B.C. Parks to improve the protection of and visitor experience in Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park.
The Friends of Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park – Maria Besso, Val Buchanan, Debbie Clarke, Mike Miller, James Quigg, Simone Runyan, Harold Sellers, Alison Smith, Diane Story, Richard Story, Ray Worley