Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park

By: Adia Seitz

Okanagan

A region located in the Canadian province of British Columbia.

Defined by the basin of Okanagan Lake and the Canadian portion of the Okanagan River.

Region's population is approximately 340,000.

The region is known for its dry, sunny climate, dry landscapes and lakeshore communities and particular lifestyle.

Okanagan

With outdoor activities such as boating and watersports, snow skiing and hiking.

Agriculture has been focused primarily on fruit orchards, with a recent shift in focus to vineyards and wine.

Fruit production is a hallmark of the Okanagan Valley today.

Favoured by its sunny climate, lakes, and winery attractions, the valley has become a popular destination for vacationers and retirees. The area also attracts seasonal fruit-picking labourers, primarily from Quebec and Mexico.

Name Origin

The name derives from the Okanagan language place name.

An alternate explanation from Washington proposes "People living where you can see the top”.

History

The Okanagan Valley is home to the Sylix, commonly known as the Okanagan people.

They were Hunter-gatherers, living off wild game and berries and roots for the most part but travelling north or south to fish salmon runs or to trade with other nations.

In 1859, the first European settlement was established.

A mining industry began in the southern Okanagan region.

Commercial orcharding of apples was first tried there in 1892, but a series of setbacks prevented the major success of commercial fruit crops until the 1920s.

Climate

The Okanagan receives a mild climate.

The Okanagan is considerably drier than many other areas.

Vegetation also ranges from cactus and sagebrush in the south, to Cedar and Hemlock trees in the North.

The Okanagan Valley enjoys hot summers and moderately cold winters.

Okanagan Mountain

Okanagan Mountain is a mountain in the Okanagan region of the Southern Interior of British Columbia, Canada.

Located on the east side of Okanagan Lake on the immediate south of the city of Kelowna and north of Pentiction.

It is the core of Okanagan Mountian Provincial Park and its north slopes have also become a residential neighbourhood of Kelowna, much of which was destroyed in the Okanagan Mountain forest fire in 2003.

Okanagan Lake

Okanagan Lake is a large, deep lake in the Okanagan Valley of British. The lake is 135 km long, between 4 and 5 km wide, and has a surface area of 351 km².

Many parks and beaches are found along the shores of the lake, which make boating and swimming very popular activities.

The lake is home to several species of fish, including rainbow trout and kokanee.

It is said by some to be home to its own lake monster - a giant serpent-like creature named Ogopogo.

Us Going There

When we go there, I think that we should make a difference in the environmental world by planting trees.

By planting trees, we will learn how to plant a tree properly, the parts of a tree, the needs of a tree, the cells of a tree and the organisms of a tree.

By doing this, it will teach us discipline, perseverance, teamwork, positivity and hardworking.

Us Going There

There are many optional campgrounds at the Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park that we may chose from.

The cost of traveling to and from the Okanagan will be approximately $14,000.

We can learn about the local First Nations culture that lived in the Okanagan originally, the natural and diverse wildlife and plant life in the Okanagan, the lake and the mountain.

Eco Justice Year 6

I think that going to the beautiful setting of the Okanagan would be the perfect place to learn, to explore and to celebrate our wonderful Eco Justice year!