Province to add 21 hectares to Okanagan Mountain Park
Global News
The Ministry of Environment says legislation has been introduced to expand select parks and protected areas throughout the province.
Several parks in B.C.’s Interior will soon be expanded, the Ministry of Environment announced on Thursday.
The ministry said legislation has been introduced to expand select parks and protected areas throughout the province, including Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park near Kelowna.
According to the ministry, 21 hectares will be added to Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park to enhance wildlife connectivity and species protection, along with the addition of the Golden Mile Trail for recreation.
“Increased protection for diverse wildlife habitat, wetlands and bolstering the natural legacy of existing parks are all parts of strategic land additions to strengthen B.C.’s system of parks and protected areas,” the ministry said in a press release.
“People’s desire to interact with nature has never been greater. Parks provide the opportunity to connect with nature and strengthen our physical and mental well-being,” said environment minister George Heyman.
“We continue to look for opportunities to add ecologically and culturally significant lands to our diverse parks system, and expand opportunities for outdoor recreation.”
The ministry says the additions, proposed through legislative amendments to the Protected Areas of British Columbia Act, include the following lands:
The ministry also said 27 hectares of lake foreshore would be added to Christina Lake Park, Kootenay Lake Park, Gladstone Park and Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Park.
