Okanagan WaterWise - Current water news stories

Building Community Resilience in a Changing Climate

Evidence of our changing climate is all around us. What will our future climate in the Okanagan look like? How will our communities adapt and respond?

JOIN US on Wednesday, February 26 as Sheila Watt-Cloutier - environmental, cultural and human rights advocate, and Nobel Peace Prize nominee - provides a global perspective on climate change and a vision for the future.

Sheila will then join a panel of experts who will share their thoughts on how we’re adapting to climate change in the Okanagan in the areas of agriculture, health, emergency response, and water resources.

The evening will also feature syilx/Okanagan cáptik?? (storytelling) as well as the public launch of the Climate Projections Report for the Okanagan – a report on how our local climate is projected to change over the next 30 to 60 years.

Representatives from a number of valley organizations will be on hand to showcase the work underway across the region to address climate change and how you can get involved.

Supporting partners for this event include: Regional District of Central Okanagan, Okanagan Basin Water Board – Okanagan WaterWise, UBC Okanagan Institute for Biodiversity, Resilience and Ecosystem Services (BRAES), Okanagan Nation Alliance, and the Planning Institute of British Columbia PIBC - Okanagan Interior Chapter.

WHAT: Building Community Resilience in a Changing Climate
WHERE: UBC Okanagan, 3287 University Way, Kelowna - The Commons Lecture Hall (COM 201)
WHEN: Wed., Feb. 26, 7 PM – 9:30 PM (Registration and doors open at 6:30 PM)
TICKETS: http://SheilaWattCloutier-Okanagan.eventbrite.com

Have a WaterWise idea to save or protect Okanagan water? We have funds!

The application deadline for our Water Conservation and Quality Improvement Grant Program is Feb. 28, 4 p.m

Eligible applicants include non-profits, First Nations, local government and irrigation districts with projects that have valley-wide benefit.

There is a total of $350,000 available for projects that protect or conserve water in our valley. Successful applicants can receive between $3,000 and $30,000 for their project.

Project areas that will be considered include: education, WaterWise landscaping, riparian habitat restoration, drought and flood preparedness, irrigation, groundwater studies, mapping, metering, source water protection, system improvement, water treatment studies, water management planning, water quality assessments, water flow monitoring, and restoration.

News release:
Okanagan Water Board opens floodgate with call for grant applications

For more information, including application forms, visit www.OBWB.ca/wcqi.

B.C. AquaHacking Challenge 2019-2020

With 150 participants registered in the B.C. AquaHacking Challenge 2020, we’re getting ready for the semi-finals on Sat. March 21! Stay tuned for more!

This challenge connects young professionals with mentors to help tackle freshwater issues. The B.C. event is one of four being held across Canada in 2019-2020. The five issues chosen to be addressed as part of the B.C. challenge include: contaminants in stormwater, residential and commercial outdoor water use, flood damage and risks, invasive zebra and quagga mussels, and access to potable water in Indigenous communities.

The BC Aquahacking Challenge is hosted by the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) and Okanagan WaterWise and delivered in partnership with Aqua Forum.

Interested in learning more? Visit here!

News Release - AquaHacking Challenge launched in Okanagan to help address B.C. freshwater issues - October 29, 2019

Okanagan WaterWise presents...
Building Community Resilience in a Changing Climate Evidence of our changing climate is all around us. What will our future climate in the Okanagan look like? How will our communities adapt and respond? JOIN US on Wednesday, February 26 as Sheila Watt-Cloutier - environmental, cultural and human rights advocate, and Nobel Peace Prize nominee - provides a global perspective on climate change and a vision for the future. Sheila will then join a panel of experts who will share their thoughts on how we’re adapting to climate change in the Okanagan in the areas of agriculture, health, emergency response, and water resources. The evening will also feature syilx/Okanagan cáptik?? (storytelling) as well as the public launch of the Climate Projections Report for the Okanagan – a report on how our local climate is projected to change over the next 30 to 60 years. Representatives from a number of valley organizations will be on hand to showcase the work underway across the region to address climate change and how you can get involved. Supporting partners for this event include: Regional District of Central Okanagan, Okanagan Basin Water Board – Okanagan WaterWise, UBC Okanagan Institute for Biodiversity, Resilience and Ecosystem Services (BRAES), Okanagan Nation Alliance, and the Planning Institute of British Columbia PIBC - Okanagan Interior Chapter. WHAT: Building Community Resilience in a Changing Climate WHERE: UBC Okanagan, 3287 University Way, Kelowna - The Commons Lecture Hall (COM 201) WHEN: Wed., Feb. 26, 7 PM – 9:30 PM (Registration and doors open at 6:30 PM) TICKETS: http://SheilaWattCloutier-Okanagan.eventbrite.com Have a WaterWise idea to save or protect Okanagan water? We have funds! The application deadline for our Water Conservation and Quality Improvement Grant Program is Feb. 28, 4 p.m Eligible applicants include non-profits, First Nations, local government and irrigation districts with projects that have valley-wide benefit. There is a total of $350,000 available for projects that protect or conserve water in our valley. Successful applicants can receive between $3,000 and $30,000 for their project. Project areas that will be considered include: education, WaterWise landscaping, riparian habitat restoration, drought and flood preparedness, irrigation, groundwater studies, mapping, metering, source water protection, system improvement, water treatment studies, water management planning, water quality assessments, water flow monitoring, and restoration. News release: Okanagan Water Board opens floodgate with call for grant applications For more information, including application forms, visit www.OBWB.ca/wcqi. B.C. AquaHacking Challenge 2019-2020 With 150 participants registered in the B.C. AquaHacking Challenge 2020, we’re getting ready for the semi-finals on Sat. March 21! Stay tuned for more! This challenge connects young professionals with mentors to help tackle freshwater issues. The B.C. event is one of four being held across Canada in 2019-2020. The five issues chosen to be addressed as part of the B.C. challenge include: contaminants in stormwater, residential and commercial outdoor water use, flood damage and risks, invasive zebra and quagga mussels, and access to potable water in Indigenous communities. The BC Aquahacking Challenge is hosted by the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) and Okanagan WaterWise and delivered in partnership with Aqua Forum. Interested in learning more? Visit here! News Release - AquaHacking Challenge launched in Okanagan to help address B.C. freshwater issues - October 29, 2019
Okanagan WaterWise Challenge—Youth Contest Winners Announced! Follow this link to meet our Climate Heroes!

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