Nature Conservancy of the North Okanagan celebrates 25 years
It’s a unique swath of 80 acres near Lumby with nearly pristine mixed old growth forest, rain-fed streams and springs, and rocky outcrop ecosystems. The property provides habitat for everything from black bears and hawks to at-risk snakes—and the unique, undisturbed ecosystems provide suitable growing conditions for rare plants that are listed in BC for their conservation concern. Now, through a conservation covenant held jointly by the owner, the Nature Conservancy of the North Okanagan (NCNO), and the Regional District of the North Okanagan, this land will always be protected.
“It’s a very special property with regionally uncommon, natural characteristics making it an incredibly important ecosystem and connection point for wildlife moving towards the Monashees,” says NCNO Director Keenan Rudichuk. This property, now called the Long Shadows Conservation Covenant, was registered as an ecological conservation covenant in 2024.
In a region that’s seen extensive changes due to logging, agriculture and residential development, the Long Shadows property is largely undisturbed and remains in a natural state. Among the abundant flora, fauna and wildlife are healthy stands of western red cedar, lodgepole pine, and Douglas fir, which provide suitable habitat for moose, deer, and bears. The rocky outcrops that overlook the valley likely provide important year-round habitat for reptiles such as lizards and snakes.
“That land is legally protected now and forever,” says Rudichuk. Located on privately-owned land, the covenant area is not open to the public, which offers additional protection.
Dedicated to protecting ecologically valuable land since 2000, NCNO helps local landowners protect their land by registering conservation covenant on their land title. These covenants ensure land is protected in their natural state, in perpetuity, even though ownership may change over the years.
Over the last 25 years, a total of seven NCNO-led sanctuaries and reserves protect local natural spaces in the North Okanagan. These covenants feature hillsides, ponds, grasslands and creeks that may have been at risk of development. Included are three covenant properties along Coldstream Creek. While not open to the public, these protect a thriving cottonwood ecosystem favoured by blue herons and the at-risk western screech owl.
One covenant which can be enjoyed by the everyone is the Clerke Nature Reserve, located on Alexis Park Drive, west of Becker Park. This land was gifted by the May family and ensures that the native shrubs and trees on this hillside will stay in their natural habitat state.
“These are families that have taken great pride in stewarding their land, and they’re seeing what’s happening with development and urbanization around them, and they want to know the trees and birds and all the plants and wildlife they’ve come to love will be protected from development long after they’re gone,” says Rudichuk. Over the last 100 years, the Southwest Interior has lost 85 per cent of natural wetlands and 70 per cent of natural grasslands. Rudichuk says habitat loss throughout the Okanagan is continuing to increase at an alarming rate.
As part of the covenant agreement, NCNO visits registered covenant sites every year. Walking through the covenant with the landowners helps to maintain the ecological integrity of the land.
ABOUT THE NATURE CONSERVANCY OF THE NORTH OKANAGAN
For 25 years, the Nature Conservancy of the North Okanagan [previously named North Okanagan Parks and Natural Areas Trust (NOPNAT)] has been promoting the protection and conservation of ecologically valuable lands, including nature or wildlife sanctuaries, parks or reserves. Its work is guided by the Canadian Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices. https://ncno.ca/
