Happy Holidays
December 2020
Grand Forks Grasslands
Re-envision Happy Holidays for 2020

It will be a different sort of December for most of us this year, but that is an invitation to everyone to be innovative in celebrating. Instead of gatherings of dear friends and families, I imagine those within the same ‘bubble’ returning to a simpler time to make meaningful gifts at home or with natural materials available nearby; or to shop locally for gifts with particular meaning.
We at the Southern Interior Land Trust suggest considering a gift of conservation of land for wildlife or restoration/enhancement of wild land to benefit wildlife given in the name of loved ones. More and more people are enjoying the COVID-safe and healthy recreational opportunities possible on these wild lands and there’s a sudden surge in awareness of the importance of setting aside land for wildlife—for both critters and for people.
A donation of any size to SILT helps us to create a legacy of protected habitat for all living things by providing the funds to acquire and maintain gems and jewels of natural features in B.C.’s southern interior region.
To make a gift donation, go to our website at: www.siltrust.ca. Tax receipts can be issued for gifts of cash or property or bequests.
Whatever your new holiday looks like this year, may it sustain you with a sense of peace and a feeling of satisfaction.
– Judie Steeves
president, SILT
2020 – What a Year it was

COVID-19 didn’t stop the Southern Interior Land Trust from acquiring two new properties this year and conducting cleanups and socially-distanced planting parties on lands the trust already owns.
It’s been a busy year for SILT, but it’s also been a very productive year, thanks to the many supporters who helped make acquisitions, cleanups and re-planting possible.
The year began with completion of the acquisition of the first of SILT’s Grand Forks Grasslands properties, the 109-hectare D.L. 492, where the Gilpin bighorn sheep herd are a familiar sight. It ended with purchase of a 35-hectare adjacent property, D.L. 493. Both feature native bunchgrass and patches of deciduous shrub thickets and rocky outcroppings which also provide habitat for deer, snakes, the spadefoot toad, tiger salamander and the endangered badger, amongst others.
The public is invited to participate in non-motorized use of these properties and also to join us in cleanup, fencing, and rehabilitation parties in the coming year. Sign up for our e-news updates on the website at: www.siltrust.ca. This website was completely updated this year and features a regularly-updated news page.
SILT was also busy this year with a cleanup day on D.L. 492 and a socially-distanced planting day on its R.E. Taylor Conservation Property along Keremeos Creek in Olalla.
SILT is also part of the committee awarding the John B. Holdstock Scholarship annually. This year, it went to Katie Zinn who recently completed her thesis on the effects of reduced streamflow on hypoxia and habitat use of threatened Salish Sucker and juvenile Coho salmon. The scholarship will help her on her road to achieve a PhD at UBC in zoology.
SILT also welcomes Elise Everest & Danielle Chapman to the board of directors
Elise Everest is a lawyer with Pushor, Mitchell LLP in Kelowna and is an avid hiker and nature enthusiast who loves camping and is passionate about conserving wild places.

Danielle Chapman is a realtor and mother of three, who grew up in the Okanagan . She is determined to conserve those wild areas so her children will be able to enjoy them as she has all her life.
Looking Ahead

There is a lot planned by SILT for 2021 and the board is open to gifts and suggestions from everyone who enjoys the natural spaces and wildlife of the southern interior of B.C.

Wishing you a happier new year from us all at the Southern Interior Land Trust

Judie Steeves, president
Gord Wilson, treasurer & secretary
Ron Taylor, founding director & president emeritus
Kasey Moran, director
Danielle Chapman, director
Elise Everest, director
Al Peatt, RPBio, FAPB, executive-director
521 Vardon Lane
Vernon, BC V1H 1Y4
Phone: 250-328-4699
SILT is a volunteer-run organization with “virtually” no overhead
100% of its revenues goes to support habitat acquisition and management