About Restoration

The antelope-brush ecosystem of the South Okanagan Valley is more at risk than the old-growth forests of British Columbia. Over the past century, more than 60 percent of the antelope-brush habitat has been totally destroyed, and only 9 percent of what remains is relatively undisturbed.

This habitat in the South Okanagan is vital for the conservation of biological diversity in British Columbia. Several of the unique plants and animals living here are found nowhere else in Canada: some species of invertebrates are found nowhere else in the world! 30 percent of the Red-listed (endangered) and over 50 percent of the Blue-listed (vulnerable) vertebrates as well as over 100 rare plants and more than 300 rare invertebrates are confined to this ecosystem. Very little of the habitat has been preserved for their survival and the protected areas so far established are too few, too scattered and too small for effective biodiversity conservation.

With more of the antelope-brush being destroyed each year, biologists have warned that this ecosystem and its component species are in great danger of extirpation (becoming locally extinct).

Ecological Restoration Research

Ecological restoration is the process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged, or destroyed.

The Osoyoos Desert Society is involved with ecological restoration on many fronts. At the Desert Centre, staff and volunteers remove invasive weeds such as diffuse knapweed, houndstongue, and crested wheatgrass, and replant native grass, flower, and shrub species. Some recent projects carried out at the Desert Centre include restoring habitat for the Behr’s hairstreak butterfly, and constructing a pond and restoring habitat for spadefoot toads. The Desert Society also conducts restoration projects on other site in the South Okanagan. Past work includes restoring areas that were damaged during the expansion of a golf course, and re-planting a collapsed mine site.

Because restoration is still a new field, in many cases research, and lessons learned, are just as important as the actual restoration project. The Desert Society has been working on research into seed mixes using native species. These seed mixes have many applications, including use in traditional restoration projects, alongside roadways, for re-seeding intense burn sites, within vineyard rows, or even for use in backyards for people who want to create a natural looking meadow.

If you'd like to help us help the Desert habitat, click here to become a member of the Osoyoos Desert Society