The Western Tiger Salamander has been identified as a species at risk within the proposed national park reserve boundary/Parks Canada

In-person negotiations for the proposed South Okanagan-Similkameen National Park Reserve in British Columbia have resumed after lengthy delays caused by the pandemic and 2021 wildfires and floods.

“The creation of a new national park reserve is a complex process,” Parks Canada said in a three-page electronic newsletter about negotiations with the Government of British Columbia and the syilx/Okanagan Nation. “The parties will take appropriate consideration and time.”

The parties are identifying key elements for an establishment agreement, and collecting scientific information about things such as species at risk.

The Lewis's Woodpecker has been identified as a species at risk within the boundary of the proposed national park reserve/Parks Canada

The working boundary of the proposed park reserve encompasses more than 270 square kilometres (27,300 hectares or 67,500 acres) of natural and cultural landscapes in the Mt. Kobau, Spotted Lake and Kilpoola areas of the South Okanagan-Similkameen area, including BC Parks’ South Okanagan Grasslands Protected Area.

The proposed park reserve will protect a rare ecosystem, strengthen biodiversity and contribute to the recovery of species at risk. It will maintain grazing, advance reconciliation and preserve opportunities for syilx/Okanagan Nation cultural practices to continue, and provide long-term opportunities for sustainable tourism and local jobs.

“Overall, it presents a significant opportunity to protect and showcase this important region for current and future generations,” Parks Canada said.

The working boundary of the proposed park reserve encompasses more than 270 square kilometres (27,300 hectares or 67,500 acres) of natural and cultural landscapes in southern British Columbia/Parks Canada

There are an estimated 92 provincially listed species at risk, 37 federally listed species at risk and 17 ecological communities at risk within the working boundary, but many areas have never been surveyed.

“This area contains many species which are not yet listed or not currently at risk,” Parks Canada said. “These include species with ecological, cultural and/or economic value.” It needs syilx/Okanagan Traditional Ecological Knowledge about species at risk and other species of value.

The proposed park reserve contains large areas of mid-elevation habitat, which are often less affected by development than low elevation areas and contain more intact habitat for species at risk. As the climate changes, mid-elevation areas will become even more important.

“Species tend to respond to warming temperatures by moving upslope to potentially cooler temperatures at higher elevations,” Parks Canada said.

The proposed park reserve contains large areas of mid-elevation habitat, which are often less affected by development than low elevation areas and contain more intact habitat for species at risk/Parks Canada

The federal agency has promised to release newsletters at least once a year or when there is new information to share. Residents living within or adjacent to the proposed boundary should receive a copy of the update in their post box, based on their postal code. An electronic version of the newsletter will be shared with those who have registered to the email update distribution list.

In October 2017, the governments of Canada, British Columbia and the syilx/Okanagan Nation (as represented by the Lower Similkameen Indian Band and Osoyoos Indian Band) announced a renewed relationship to explore the establishment of this national park reserve.

Parks Canada officially launched consultations in 2018. In 2019, it consulted with local residents, stakeholders and Canadians on the proposed boundary and management. On July 2, 2019, the three parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work toward establishing a national park reserve. The MOU confirms the working boundary, outlines next steps and provides a framework for collaboration. All three parties must approve and sign the final agreement to establish the national park reserve.