Native trees and shrubs were planted in the Garnet Valley area along Eneas Creek in an effort to restore a creekside forest and floodplain habitat.
The restoration involves 2.8 hectares along the creek.
Alyson Skinner, executive director with Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship, said the planting over the past week is part of an ongoing effort at the creek.
In 2016, volunteers put in 1,200 plants along the creek.
The work last week added another 2,000 plants.
Skinner said the plants include red osier dogwood, water birch, cottonwood and native wild rose — all plants which would be found along creeks in the area.
The land for the replant was purchased by Steve Lornie and Christine Coletta, owners of Okanagan Crush Pad.
The property had earlier been used as a hay field.
The restoration efforts will help wildlife species in the Okanagan Valley.
According to the Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship Society, 85 per cent of Okanagan species depend on wetlands or forested margins along water courses.
Species at risk include the western screech owl, yellow breasted chat and Lewis’s woodpecker.
The habitat areas also provide winter browsing and shelter for large mammals including deer, elk and moose.
Forests near the edge of water courses and other water bodies help to shade the water and keep it cooler in summer. This benefits salmon and other fish that often breed in these waters.
To report a typo, email:
news@summerlandreview.com.
news@summerlandreview.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.