As part of its four-part winter program series, the Osoyoos Desert Society wants to raise awareness about the world around us, starting with the ground beneath our feet and moving on to the animal life around us. Then they’re putting the information into practice with a pair of hands-on workshops designed to provide participants with the opportunity to take action and make a positive environmental impact.
The winter series began last night with Dirt the Movie, an award-winning documentary bringing to life the environmental, economic, social, and political impact of soil. The follow up workshop comes on Feb. 19, when participants can learn about the benefits and how-to’s of composting with Cameron Baughen, solid waste management coordinator with the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen. The program fee includes an Earth Machine Compost Bin, one of the most popular backyard composters.
The March 10 program features the documentary Lords of Nature: Life in a Land of Great Predators, which follows the footsteps of wolves, cougars and the scientists who study them. A presentation by Jay Kehne, wildlife biologist with Conservation Northwest, follows the film. The final program in the series, an owl box workshop, will be held on March 19. Participants will have the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and construct nest boxes for western screech owls. The workshop also features a special appearance by one of the local birds of prey, courtesy of the South Okanagan Rehabilitation Centre for Owls.
All four programs will be held at the Watermark Beach Resort in Osoyoos. The March 10 screening of Lords of Nature starts at 6:30 p.m. and the workshops on Feb. 19 and March 19 run from 2 to 4 p.m. Admission for the films is free (donations welcome). The fee for the composting workshop is $40; the owl box workshop is $20. Advance registration is required. For more information, or to reserve a seat, contact the Osoyoos Desert Society at education@desert.org or 250-495-2470.