Grasslands in the Okanagan valley are disappearing at an alarming rate and those remaining grasslands face conservation issues such as invasive plants, fragmentation, and degradation. They are often targeted as "easily developable" and so when a teacher from Okanagan Landing Elementary school approached OSS to enhance a grassland hillside behind their school, it was an easy decision.

While OSS does not typically do school-based outreach,  hands on stewardship projects like grassland and riparian enhancement, where we can involve schools in taking part in experiential stewardship are a good fit and often more memorable and effective in demonstrating the value and importance of natural ecosystems to youth.  

Mrs. Troidl's class keenly listened to our stewardship technicians and biologists as we explained the importance of grassland ecosystems, what plants make up these ecosystems (news flash! It's not just grass!) and what kinds of critters depend upon them.

After a quick demonstration of how to properly plant these native plants, students worked together to plant nearly 200 native shrubs, grasses, and forbs along the hillside which was dominated by crested wheatgrass (an introduced species often used to remediate roadsides). The students will steward this area, ensuring that plants are watered and day-lighted as they grow.

This project would not have been possible without partnership from Okanagan Landing Elementary and funding from TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, Vernon Sustainability Grant, BC Community Gaming Grant, and Environment and Climate Change Canada Priority Places.

Check out the gallery below to see the project in action.