White Lake Grasslands Protected Area is a conservation site located in the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen of British Columbia, Canada. It was established on April 18, 2001 by order-in-council under the Environment and Land Use Act to protect the semi-arid grassland and pine forest ecosystem west of Vaseux Lake. The region spans from shoreline to mountain top, providing essential living areas for various red and blue-listed species, plants, and plant groups in British Columbia.
The first aim of the protected area is to provide protection to red and blue-listed wildlife species (especially the white-headed woodpecker) and the habitat inside the area. The second aim is to protect the archaeological sites and First Nations’ traditional land.
The area has a diverse ecology with generally hot and dry weather. It was a farmyard and home for the First Nation; now it offers tourism activities.
History and past use of the area
White Lake Grasslands Protected Area was recommended for protection by Okanagan-Shuswap Land & Resource Management Plan in 2000, and was established on April 18, 2001 under the Environment and Land Use Act. It was established as a Class A provincial park of the Areas of British Columbia Act. The aim was to protected the ecosystems and rare or endangered species located in the Southern Okanagan Basin Eco section.
First Nations
Historically, the White Lake Grasslands Protected Area has encompassed parts of the traditional territory and ancestral homelands of a number of First Nations, including the Syilx Okanagan Nation and the Nlaka'pamux Nation Tribal Council. First Nations Territories have existed and have been inhabited for approximately ten thousand years. The White Lake Grasslands Protected Area was drew significant interest from settlers during the 1850s gold rush, leading to the displacement of the Syilx/Okanagan people and the lose of their essential resources and territory. During the period, intense cattle grazing caused damage to the grasslands, resulting in the replacement of native grasses with low-growing, grazing- resistant shrubs, leafy forbs and invasive plants.
One of the aims of the White Lake Grasslands Protected Area is to preserve and protect traditional lands of the First Nations. Therefore, after the colonialism and European settlement, the Nation Park located in South Okanagan is co-managed by the Syilx/Okanagan Nation. The Nation will provide leadership on conservation and economic goals, and also participating in traditional land use and spiritual activities. To support the Okanagan Nation Alliance in co-managing the nation park reserve.
Geography
White Lake Grasslands Protected Area is divided into five sites with a total area of 37.64 km2. It is located west of the Okanagan River to the McIntyre Bluff and includes Mt. McLellan, Mount Hawthorne, and Mt. Keogan. The St. Andrews Golf Course on the east side of Mt. Parker is also protected. Surrounding communities include White Lake, Green Lake, and Okanagan Falls, and provincial parks are not being protected. People can access the protected area through Green Lake Road and Fairview-White Lake Road.
Climate and the effects of climate change
The Area is located within the South Okanagan Basin Ecosection (SOB) which features extremely hot, xeric climate originating from the Ponderosa Pine biogeoclimatic zone (PPxhl). The forest zone is sited in the narrow band, which is known for the driest and warmest valleys of the Southern Interior. During the growing season, there are significant moisture shortages due to the hot and dry summers. Winter are mild with a light snow cover. The zone has a mean annual precipitation of 280–500 mm, and 15-40% as snowfall.
Heatwaves, wildfires, and droughts brought on by climate change pose a threat to grasslands. Climate change could lead to longer periods of droughts and extreme weathers, such as intense storms. Thus, the soil moisture level could impact vegetation growth, which is important for the survival of species. This region has an overflowing amount of species at risk that inhabit mid-elevation grasslands and old-growth ponderosa pines.
To mitigate the impacts of climate change on the ecosystem, natural vegetation and water bodies throughout the region should be protected to increase the capacity of the soil to hold more water, which prevents droughts and floods, decreases debris and soil run-off, and naturally filters water.