INFORMATION RELEASE

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) joins the community in recognizing Earth Day on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. The RDOS is proud to celebrate its ongoing commitment to environmental awareness and stewardship, which remain at the heart of our operations year-round.  

RDOS is committed to supporting watershed, water quality and source protection, environmental health, and building partnerships that enhance regional environmental services, planning, and stewardship.

These efforts span every department and take place throughout the year, including: 

• Working with the Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society (OASISS), providing leadership in environmental conservation and invasive species management to protect regional biodiversity.
• Participating in the Okanagan Similkameen Watershed Collaborative Leadership Table (CLT), a leading example of partnership and collaboration to advance long-term watershed security.
• Investing in environmental initiatives, including solid waste and yard waste programs, organics diversion, and education across the Regional District and its member municipalities. The Solid Waste Department delivers service guided by the 5Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover, and Residual Managemen
• RDOS funds and supports regional parks, trails, and environmental stewardship.
  • Stewardship of approximately 180.5 km of active regional trails across the RDOS, supporting walking, cycling, and nature‑based recreation.
  • Ongoing maintenance of 30 regional parks and 32 lake access points, along with seven (7) beaches, two (2) cemeteries, and one (1) campground.
  • Management of roughly 196 hectares of regional park land, balancing environmental protection with public access.
  • Delivery of year‑round, seven‑day‑a‑week parks and trails maintenance across multiple electoral areas.

•  CleanBC is a provincial program to lower climate-changing emissions by 40% by 2030. RDOS partners locally to protect nature, build a cleaner economy, and prepare for future climate impacts.
• The RDOS provided funding to Nature Trust BC (NTBC) to help secure and protect the 77-acre Marron River Grasslands in the South Okanagan —a rare native grassland and riparian corridor that provides critical habitat for species at risk.

 The RDOS remains committed to initiatives, programs and partnerships that support the environmental health of the region.

 Earth Day reminds us that the choices we make locally can lead to meaningful, long-term change.

 To learn more about Earth Day, visit earthday.ca, earthday.org, or www2.gov.bc.ca.

 For further information, please contact RDOS Communications.

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Mark Pendergraft, Chair
Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen

Contact:

RDOS Communications
250-490-4148
Toll-free 1-877-610-3737

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