Funding for Green Projects

Written by Peter McIntyre Wednesday, 23 June 2010 12:33107.5 KISSFM

Two environmental projects in Greater Vernon have got the go ahead with the help of federal funding. Okanagan Shuswap M-P Colin Mayes used a backdrop of the Allan Brooks Nature Centre in Vernon to announce $82, 213 from the EcoAction program. About 16-thousand will go to the Society for the Protection of Kalamalka Lake to restore riparian plantings on Coldstream Creek between Kirkland Drive and McClounie Road. Group president Trina Koch says they will educate residents on the best types of plants to put into areas along the creek. "There are native plants that are roses for example or bushes that are very attractive. We want to work with people so that it will fit into their yards.The plants provide a solid base for the soils so that it doesn't create sediment to go into the creek."

The rest of the funding, about 65 thousand, will be used by the Allan Brooks Nature Centre Society to add interpretive trail signs and hold community events for the BX Creek Wetland Enhancement project. Society member Susan Latimer says the area is from 48th Ave along 20th Street where the high water wetland riparian area is, to Swan Lake. "There will be signs describing the eco-systems and some of the species that are there. I think we're even going to have a sign that points back to the heron rookery which I think is one of only two rookeries in Canada." Latimer says they will also host a series of events with the city of Vernon and regional district. "It will be around Rivers Day, Earth Day and Environment Weeek that we're going to promote the project."