Fall 2011
SPrKL
Society for the Protection of Kalamalka Lake Newsletter Issue #4 In this Issue
Kalavida Surf Shop Donates $500 to SPrKL!
Kalavida Support
Michelle O’Brien of Kalavida Surf Shop (stand up paddle boards) presents a cheque for $500 to SPrKL’s Louise Christie and Trina Koch at SPrKL’s 2011 AGM.
Adopt-A-Stream Program CCRP NOPNAT Log House Changes Hands Wetland Walkway Project Rivers Day Planting and Weeding Noxious Weed Removal Contact Us!
Kalavida has also donated much time and energy into promoting SPrKL in the community and we are grateful for their involvement. Stand up paddle boarding (SUP) is an excellent exercise and a wonderful ‘green’ way to explore Kal Lake. Kalavida Surf Shop is located on Kal Lake Road next to Kal Lake Store. Check out ‘SUP’ at kalavida.ca. Thank-you Kalavida Surf Shop!!
SPrKL Continues to Clean up Creekside Park
2010
SPrKL adopted the reach of Coldstream Creek that runs through Creekside Park as part of the City of Vernon and RDNO Adopt-a-Stream Program. Clean-ups take place in the spring and fall of each year. Much of the spring clean-up in 2011 involved removal of invasive weeds including Common Burdock and Canadian Thistle. If you are interested in adopting a section of stream call RDNO at (250) 550-5300.
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SPrKL Fall 2011
The Coldstream Creek Restoration Project
Planting
Fencing
Workshop
Coldstream Creek Restoration Project activities began at 10:00 am on September 18th 2010, in the pouring rain. Activities included a planting workshop and demonstration, planting at Creekside Park and eleven residences located between Kirkland Drive and McClounie Road, and the construction of a riparian fence. EBA, A Tetra Tech Company conducted the planting workshop and demonstration to an attentive audience at the Coldstream Municipal Hall. Twenty volunteers planted over 400 plants purchased from Swan Lake Nursury, and a handful of volunteers assisted Crystal Classic Exteriors in constructing 175 meters of fencing along the south side of Coldstream Creek within Creekside Park. The project was mainly funded by the District of Coldstream and Environment Canada’s EcoAction Community Funding. EBA, SPrKL, Swan Lake Nursery and Crystal Classic Exteriors provided generous in-kind contributions. Signage describing the importance of riparian vegetation and fencing will be installed at Creekside Park and Kirkland Beach in 2012 as a deliverable of this project. A final draft of the signage has been approved by RDNO, the District of Coldstream and Environment Canada. Thank-you to all those who made this project such a success!
North Okanagan Parks and Natural Area Trust Keeps Land Protected…forever NOPNAT was established in 2000 as a registered charity to receive donations and bequests of every kind, including properties and monies. NOPNAT is also registered to hold and administer Covenants on lands. These Covenants can control access to the lands and preserve them in their natural state in perpetuity. If you are considering preservation of part or all of your property, NOPNAT may be able to help. For more information go to nopnat.com, email Adam Moss, President at amoss@shaw or phone at (250) 558-4775
Having land included as part of a protective covenant protects the land from future development. If the property is located along a lake or stream this is an excellent way to preserve riparian habitat! 2
SPrKL Fall 2011
The Log House Changes Hands The log house, located at 8505 Kalavista Drive across from the Kalavista boat launch, has been sold to the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO). The property includes a three-bedroom log house, detached garage, and 3/4 acres of manicured lawn surrounded on three sides by Kalavista Lagoon. It was purchased in 2008 by SPrKL founder, Christine Cookson, and her husband, Jim Cookson, who encouraged community use of the property. Since then, the property has been utilized by a variety of groups including SPrKL, Kalavida Surf Shop, The Canoe and Kayak Club, Okanagan College, Kidston School and The Kalavista Neighborhood Committee. RDNO has indicated that the property will not be used as parking for the Kalavista Boat Launch and that it will be inspected to determine its suitability as a public facility. SPrKL recognizes the property as valuable community greenspace
Phase I of the Wetland Walkway Project Funded by TD Friends of the Environment SPrKL has received funding from TD Friends of the Environment to complete Phase I of the Wetland Walkway Project. The first phase of the project includes weed removal and walkway design. The second phase includes walkway an signage construction. SPrKL is requesting funding from a variety of sources to complete Phase II. The wetland is located immediately west of the RDNO Office and has recently been acquired by the District of Coldstream. The noxious weeds, Canadian Thistle and Common Burdock, are abundant throughout the wetland. Phase I includes removal of the weeds and is planned for May/June 2012. SPrKL will work closely with Summit Environmental on an effective weed removal plan. It will take many hands to remove the weeds and other community groups, schools and the general public are encouraged to help. SPrKL will publicly advertise the event in 2012. The walkway design will be developed as a coordinated effort by Summit Environmental, TK Environmental, regional planners and Ministry of Environment staff. 3
SPrKL Fall 2011
Noxious Weed Removal at Kalavista Lagoon On a very rainy October 1st, 2011 six SPrKL members removed 275 kg of Yellow Flag Iris out of Kalavista lagoon. One of the six, Norm Hladun (pictured right), lives adjacent to the lagoon and provided tarps used to drag the heavy weeds out of the lagoon. RDNO provided heavy garbage bags, signage, invasive weed brochures, key chain give-aways and weed pick-up. John Frieson, RDNO’s Invasive Weed Director, was impressed with SPrKL’s efforts. There are many more noxious weeds in and around the lagoon that need to be removed. Yellow flag iris is the most predominant but Purple Loosestrife and Japanese Knotweed are also concerns. Check out RDNO Invasive Weed Information at www.rdno.ca/services/nwi/index.php
Rivers Day Celebrations at Creekside Park About 20 people came out to Creekside Park on the morning of September 25, 2011 to help plant shrubs and trees along a stormwater bioswale at Creekside Park. The planting efforts were part of Rivers Day Celebrations organized by RDNO, the City of Vernon and SPrKL. After the 45 plants were in place, volunteers removed about 6 garbage bags of burdock along Coldstream Creek. Thank-you to everyone who has helped plant and pull weeds this year!
How can you be involved in SPKL? Contact us at info@spkl.ca Visit us at www.spkl.ca Become a member! Fill in the membership form found on the website and send it in!
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