Watershed Health
To address watershed health in the urban environment, the City of Kelowna's Environment Division implemented a Watershed Stewardship Program in 1996.
The Watershed Stewardship Program currently consists of three main components:
Challenges in maintaining a healthy watershed include:
- lack of riparian vegetation
- manicured lawns
- development up to the stream's edge
- erosion
- livestock access to creeks
- storm drain runoff
- overuse of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers
- dumping of debris, compost and yard waste
- an abundance of invasive plant species in the riparian zone.
Each year, the Environment Division hosts the Status of Central Okanagan Watershed Workshop to update key watershed players from various sectors and to showcase local watershed initiatives.
For more information contact 250 469-8983.
