Update on Biodiversity Strategy progress

Developing a Biodiversity Strategy for the South Okanagan and Similkameen

Creating a biodiversity strategy needs a multi-pronged approach. Species and habitat spatial data have now been assembled and summarized in a series of maps and a draft strategy document with recommendations has been completed.

Here’s a summary of the major tasks involved in putting together the strategy:

√ marks completed tasks

√ marks tasks in process

√ Habitat and Biodiversity Assessment

Develop consistent scientific criteria for assessing biodiversity values for land-use designations
Produce maps outlining valuable intact habitats, habitat connectivity, relative biodiversity, as well as remaining habitat reserves and refuges
Strategic analysis including case studies and pilot areas of biodiversity focus
Identify key issues in biodiversity conservation including values, priorities and roles

√ Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Document

An environmental policy framework to protect the health and resiliency of the natural areas of the South Okanagan Similkameen
Develop decision support tools to assist local governments and agencies in setting priorities for identifying, preserving and restoring important natural areas in the South Okanagan – Similkameen.
Identify regionally and locally significant natural areas within the South Okanagan Similkameen, and establish a process for decision-makers to work together to enhance and preserve the natural legacy of this region.

√ Stakeholder and First Nations Engagement

Community stakeholders will be be provided opportunities to review the strategy and to provide suggestions regarding recommendations and action items for Phase 3. Syilx First Nations associations and councils have the opportunity to contribute to the strategy document or comment on recommendations.

√ Implementation and monitoring

Phase 3 ensures that there are mechanisms to get people working to protect biodiversity and measure the success of regional actions.

Establish an implementation group to identify opportunities for better coordination of land management practices to protect habitats and wildlife
Develop a regional monitoring program to evaluate the amount of land protected through land use bylaws, acquisition and stewardship.

Biodiversity Data is already at work in the community

Up-to-date habitat mapping is needed by local governments who wish to designate areas needing additional protection. Even before the Phase one maps were complete, spatial data was shared with several local governments planning departments. Biodiversity map data was used in Oliver, Keremeos, and Summerland by the shared environmental planner to help delineate Environmentally Sensitive Development Permit Areas for the three municipalities.

Map data was also used to help complete the document “The Natural Environment and Biodiversity of the Similkameen Valley” for the Similkameen Valley Planning Society.

The strategy maps and background methodology report can be viewed here on the EcoCat web site.

They are PDF map posters found under IMAGE DOCUMENT. Each map can be zoomed in to view details. (Note than each map may take a few minutes to download.)

Relative Biodiversity map: identifying areas of greatest ecological and biodiversity significance

Conservation Rank map: showing relative values of sensitive ecosystems.

Land Management Classes: showing the degree of protection afforded different areas.

Biodiversity “hot spots”

Valley biodiversity: relative biodiversity in the lower South Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys