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Our Mission: to protect land for wildlife and parks so bio-diversity and natural features are preserved for future generations.
Our Goal: Supporting a strong and healthy global biodiversity through local land conservation initiatives
Our Partners: Include local government, businesses, community groups, and citizens like you.
Our Donors: Are committed to supporting a healthy Central Okanagan environment through sound land stewardship.
The Central Okanagan Land Trust (COLT) is one of more than twenty Land Trusts across British Columbia engaged in the vital work to preserve important and unique natural lands and wildlife habitat for the benefit of all. Through land donations, the establishment of conservation covenants, and with the set up of Endowment Funds, COLT’s land stewardship activities support a healthy biodiversity in the Central Okanagan.
Our partnerships are key to successful work, and you can play an important role in that success. Visit our website to learn more about COLT and contact us to talk more about the conservation legacy you want to leave.
History and Milestones
1990 – the Central Okanagan Foundation recognizes the need for a Land Trust in the region and begins work to for the area’s first such group.
1991 – the Central Okanagan Land Trust was formed (originally called the Central Okanagan Parks and Wildlife Trust)
1991 – work began to preserve Rose Valley Pond, with COLT providing funds
1993 – Thomson Family donated 4.5 acres of the Thomson Creek marshland
1998 – COLT purchased Robert Lake lot
1998 – worked with the City of Kelowna and RDCO to secure the Benvoulin Woods as part of the Mission Creek Greenway
2013 – Establishment of the 800 acre Johns Family Nature Conservancy Regional Park
By the numbers….
- 800+ acres of land donated
- 75+ acres of lands with Conservation Covenants
- $450,000+ Endowment Funds in place
- $650,000 funds raised for acquisition of conservations lands and/or for habitat restoration
- $8,000,000+ assessed value of lands under the ownership and stewardship of COLT
Board of Directors
Gordon Savage – President
Tanis Gieselman – Vice President
Brenda Gendron – Treasurer
Don Knox – Secretary
Judie Steeves – Recording Secretary
Bill de Bosch Kemper – Director
Angela Cormano – Director
Laura Hooker – Director
Bob Groves – Director
Leah Schurian – Director
Eve Wegscheidler – Director
Steve Thomson – Director
Ex Officio – Wayne Wilson, Executive Director
Ex Officio – James Chester, Regional District Central Okanagan
Contact and further information:
Central Okanagan Land Trust
#306-1726 Dolphin Avenue,
Kelowna, B.C. V1Y 9R9
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