This weekend, the Grasslands Conservation Council of BC had the privilege of joining the Friends of Kalamalka Park to celebrate a significant conservation milestone: the 50th anniversary of Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park.
The celebration was vibrant and well-attended, with families, outdoor enthusiasts, and conservation advocates gathering to honour this essential protected area. The festivities featured a memorable carrot cake, and the lake was dotted with paddle boards while tired but happy children made their way back to the parking lots after a day of exploration and play.
A Biodiversity Hotspot in the Okanagan
Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park protects 3,218 hectares of irreplaceable Okanagan ecosystems, including grasslands, cliff forests, and wetlands. What makes this park particularly remarkable is its extraordinary biodiversity—432 varieties of vascular plants have been identified within this relatively small area!
The park represents one of the few publicly-owned examples of the natural grasslands that once stretched from Vernon to Osoyoos. These grassland ecosystems are among British Columbia’s most threatened habitats, making Kalamalka Park’s protected status all the more significant for conservation efforts.
A Rich Cultural and Natural Heritage
The park’s history extends far beyond its 50 years of protected status. Physical evidence suggests that humans have extensively used the area throughout history. Syilx and Secwepemc live(d) in relationship with the land there, particularly during fall kokanee spawning seasons.
One of the highlights of the celebration was viewing a historical photo map created from aerial photographs taken in 1958. This fascinating artifact, originally developed for Okanagan Water Rights, offers a stark visual reminder of how development and tree encroachment have reduced grassland habitat in the region over time.
The park is also home to Kalamalka Lake itself—a marl lake known for its striking blue-green waters. During summer warming, calcium carbonate forms crystals that reflect sunlight, creating the lake’s distinctive coloration that draws visitors from across the country.
Conservation Through Community Action
The establishment and ongoing protection of Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park demonstrate how conservation can happen when people care enough to take action. Today’s celebration honoured both the visionaries who secured protection for this area 50 years ago and the ongoing efforts of organizations like the Friends of Kalamalka Park,who continue this essential work.
As climate change and development pressures continue to threaten our remaining grassland ecosystems, protected areas like Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park become increasingly precious. They serve as refuges for biodiversity, outdoor classrooms for environmental education, and places where people can connect with the natural world.
Get Involved
The 50th anniversary of Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park reminds us of the ongoing, urgent need for action in conserving and restoring grasslands throughout British Columbia.
To learn more about this special place and how you can support its continued protection, visit the Friends of Kalamalka Park website at https://www.kalamalkapark.ca/.
For more information about grassland conservation and restoration initiatives throughout the Okanagan, the Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship Society is another excellent resource: https://www.osstewardship.ca/.
Here’s to 50 more years of conservation success at Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park!
