Friends of Churn Creek

The Churn Creek Protected Area is the only grassland region in British Columbia in which the grassland ecosystem remains intact from low to high elevations.  After spending last summer working on a project in the south Okanagan (Williamson sapsucker ant diet), I can tell you how rare this is. There the vineyards run from the valley floor right up to the high elevation forest edge, leaving little of the natural ecosystem.  It makes it hard to contemplate partaking in a BC wine.

This past weekend a new society formed, the Friends of Churn Creek, to provide assistance to BC Parks in managing the Churn Creek Protect Area.  The goal is to help maintain this unique ecosystem.

Churn Creek is not your typical park.  The area is fairly remote and extremely arid with few services for parks visitors.  The park is suited to those who are looking for a quiet reflective experience as they look out over a great landscape of rolling hills and deeply carved valleys.  It is also a wonder for biologists fascinated with the ecology of plants and animals living in such an environment.

Photo Credit: Me (April 19, 2009). Left to Right: Ordell Steen, Fred McMechan, Anna Roberts