2007.02.13 - Conservation experts to give public talks in South Okanagan

Press Release

February 13, 2007
Conservation experts to give public talks in South Okanagan

For Immediate Release

February 13, 2007, (Vancouver, BC) - Environmental and national park experts will be in the Okanagan on April 16-17 to take part in the “1st South Okanagan Similkameen (SOS) Environmental Issues, Research and Education Forum: the Role of a Potential National Park.”

Coming from various parts of western Canada and the United States, and together with local experts, they will make public presentations on climate warming, hydrology, land use change, species-at-risk, landscape management, grasslands ecology as they apply to the Okanagan Region, and relate these topics where applicable to the research and education functions of national parks.

“The Forum is designed to increase public understanding and awareness,” say Dr. John and Mary Theberge of Oliver, chairpersons of the organizing team. The Okanagan Region faces a variety of environmental problems that are becoming increasingly more severe. A national park, as a research and education institution, may be able to help. The Forum will explore possibilities.”

Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of British Columbia Okanagan Dr. Doug Owram says, "The University of British Columbia Okanagan is delighted to be a part of the First South Okanagan Similkameen Environmental Issues, Research and Education Forum. This forum is particularly timely given the current proposal to create a national park in the South Okanagan - Similkameen."

Speakers represent a variety of agencies: Universities of British Columbia, and UBC Okanagan, Parks Canada, U.S. National Parks, Canadian Wildlife Service, BC Ministry of the Environment, Royal BC Museum and the En’owkin Centre. Among the speakers are widely recognized experts such as climatologists Dr. Richard Hebda from Victoria whose talk is titled, “Dynamic Climate, Dynamic Landscape: Prehistory and the Future of British Columbia’s Grasslands,” and ecologist Dr. John Wilmshurst of Winnipeg presenting on “What Does it Mean To Protect a Grassland?” and Dr. Kevin Van Tighem of Prince Albert Saskatchewan on “National Parks, Science, and Self-discovery.” Included among the speakers are Drs. Donna Senese, Mike Pidwirny and Dan Durrall of University of British Columbia Okanagan who will talk on relevant research taking place there.

Banquet speaker is Dr. Bob McDonald of CBC’s well known science program Quirks and Quarks, whose talk is titled, “State of Planet, State of Mind: the Earth in Full Context.”

The Forum is for the general public and will be held at the Naramata Centre in Naramata. A variety of registration options are available on a first come-first served basis. Seating is limited. Details of the program and on-line registration are available at: http://web.ubc.ca/okanagan/natparksedforum/welcome.html or from Barb McFadyen at barbmcfs@shaw.ca or phone 250-493-5530.

The Forum is organized by a group of local environmental practitioners: (John Theberge, Mary Theberge, Dick Cannings, Rick Mckelvey, Jeannette Armstrong, Dennis St. John, Don Gayton, Rob Hawes); and University of British Columbia Okanagan (Donna Senese). For queries other than registration, contact John or Mary Theberge 250 498 5432 or Donna Senese 250 807 9372.

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