Friday, May 1, 2015

Osoyoos Desert Centre Season Opening


Osoyoos Desert Centre Season Opening 


On April 26th the Desert Society of Osoyoos opened the doors of the Osoyoos Desert Centre for the 2015 season. The Osoyoos Desert Centre is surrounded by 67 protected acres of the unique environment that surrounds Osoyoos. For those that don't know Osoyoos is Canada's only pocket desert as we are the southern most part of the Sonoran Desert. This means that Osoyoos is home to one of Canada's most unique ecosystems. Having said that our natural ecosystem is also rather fragile and sensitive as it's home to many different Plants, Animals and even insects that call Osoyoos and the surrounding South Okanagan area home. Many of which are classified as Endangered. 

The Osoyoos Desert Centre offers a unique perspective on the Dry Shrub - Grass land ecosystem. As it allows you to walk along a 1.5 km Board Walk either by yourself or as a part of a group tour. Tours are offered through out each day and have knowledgeable tour guides lead you along the board walk. 

Tour guides are a wealth of knowledge and stop at several key points through out the board walk to talk about a variety of interesting tidbits and information about the Plants, Animals, Bugs and Birds that call the Osoyoos Area home. 

On April 26th during the Season Opening the desert centre started off the 2015 season with free admission and had 2 guided walks at 10 a.m & Noon as well as a photo walk from 2-4 p.m. 
My mom and I went on the Noon Tour and to our surprise Lauren Sherwood's parents were also part of our group. For those that don't know Lauren Sherwood was Miss Osoyoos in 2006 and was most recently a member of the 2013 British Columbia Ambassador Team. I watched Lauren retire in 2007 and was at her crowning pageant as well as retiring pageant when she was a British Columbia Ambassador. I also graduated from Osoyoos Secondary School with her younger brother Mark. Funnily enough Lauren and I were together quite a bit growing up as we were both members of the local Youth Choir that ran for several years as well as taking Drama together in school. So it was quite nice to be a part of the same group and learn a bit about what Lauren has recently been up to. Most recently she along with Julie Martine a Current BC Ambassador were introduced by our Local MLA - Linda Larson to members of the Legislative Assembly. During that time they also had a Private tour of the Legislative Assembly Building in Victoria. 
Going back to the Osoyoos Desert Centre Opening I thoroughly enjoyed our tour and learned so much from our tour guide. For instance one of the things she pointed out to us was this kind of moss on the ground. This Moss was identifiable when our tour guide poured some water on it and it changed color before our eyes! 

She also talked to us about the bat Boxes that are located on the property and how the birds have kind of taken them over. 



We were also taught us the difference between a rattle snake and another snake that actually mimics that sound that a rattle snake makes as a way to protect itself. She told us more often than not when people think they hear a rattle snake it is actually the other type of snake. 
The tour guide had a Rattle Snake Rattle with her and shook it for us to hear and explained that there are no loose components in a rattle snake rattle. The Sound comes from the specific movements of the rattle and it just sounds like there is something in it because of how fast the snake is able to whip it's tail back and forth. 

I cannot recommend visiting the Osoyoos Desert Centre enough. You learn so much unique information about Osoyoos and the surrounding South Okanagan area! The Osoyoos Geography and natural landscape is actually something that interests me greatly because it is so unique and thus so fascinating. 
During my visit to the centre I was able to meet the director of the facility since she was there for the Grand opening of the 2015 season! 

Not only is there a lot to do and learn outside on the board walk but the Interpretative centre is also quite interesting as well. 
They have a painted landscape mural that feature life sized birds and animals that you might see outside & even have a small version of the board walk. 
Not only do they make use of your sense of sight but they also have things that you can actually touch & physically play with such as the Animal Imprint Sand station where you can make life size animal prints using castings from the specific animals to leave tracks in the sand. 

It also gives you the opurtunity to see things up close and personal with the things you will see during your walk. Thus giving you a chance to view things up close and personal to help you understand more and give you a chance to be able to better identify the things you see during your board walk tour! 
One of the really neat things I saw & was able to take my Picture by was Stellars Jay which is British Columbia's Official Provincial Bird. 

I would again highly recommend anyone who is able to visit the Osoyoos Desert centre to do so! The centre is open Daily from 10 until 2 p.m until the 16th of this Month [May] when they will extend their hours from 9:30 until 4:30 p.m. With tours happening at 10 a.m, 12 p.m and 2 p.m also starting on the 16th. 









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