1. Skaha Lake’s last intact wetland has been purchased with the unified vision of long-term conservation

A great day for the environment and our community happened on Monday May 10, 2021, when the land transfer around Sickle Point was completed. The saving of Sickle Point from development and the preservation of the non-motorized status of the KVR wouldn’t have happened without YOU and the over 380 pledges which indicated to the eventual purchaser the strong community and broader area commitment for this initiative.

The Vancouver-based family, with fond memories of summers in Kaleden, decided to fund the entire purchase of Sickle Point, to eventually make an ecological gift to a land trust so Sickle Point can be conserved in perpetuity.

This means that your pledge is no longer needed for the purchase of Sickle Point (please your credit card will not be charged and there is nothing more you need to do). The Sickle Point Committee’s goal now will be to establish an endowment fund with the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen to fund on-going restoration of Sickle Point through a land trust.

Once the land is ecologically gifted to a land trust and the endowment fund is established we hope to establish a new Wayblaze crowdfunding page to raise the monies that will be required to restore to property, providing habitat for various endangered wildlife. We hope that you will consider donating through Wayblaze for the endowment fund at that time.

Thank you to everyone who supported the protection of Sickle Point from development, believed in the importance of conserving it for its natural values and ensuring the KVR did not become motorized.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens
can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Margaret Mead

Photographs taken underwater off Sickle Point that depict what are believed to be an endangered species of mussels unique to the Okanagan have now been sent off to the Royal BC Museum for verification.

The molluscs, believed to be Rocky Mountain ridged mussels, were photographed Saturday by Oceantec Scuba, which sent divers down to the bottom of Skaha Lake at Kaleden.

The mussels are designated as a species of concern under the federal Species at Risk Act, which means they “could become threatened or endangered because of a combination of biological characteristics and identified threats.”

“Native freshwater mussels are integral components of our natural and cultural heritage. They filter out water pollution, are closely linked to the health of fish populations and are important prey for many other animals,” notes the fact sheet.

“They are a long-lived species and good indicators of ecosystem health, and one of the most endangered groups of animals on earth.”

A single mussel can filter up to 40 litres of water per day, according to the fact sheet.

Sickle Point is a 4.8-acre property on Skaha Lake that had been the decades-long focus of controversial plans for residential development by former owner Mel Reeves, but is now being sold out of foreclosure.

The committee initially asked the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen to purchase Sickle Point on behalf of the public, but that idea was shot down through the alternate approval process.

Members of the Save Sickle Point Committee have now taken matters into their own hands and launched an online fundraiser to purchase the property on behalf of the public. As of Wednesday, it had collected $313,000 en route to its goal of $1.5 million.

To learn more about Sickle Point or make a pledge, visit www.wayblaze.com/sicklepoint.

Facebook

Twitter

Email

Print

Save

The find was announced by the Save Sickle Point Committee, which is fundraising to purchase the unique property and save it from potential development.

"We know that Sickle Point is the last intact wetland on Skaha Lake and has rare plant communities like the Common Cattail Marsh and the Waterbirch/Wild Rose. These rare plants provide critical habitat for Pallid Bat, Lewis’s Woodpecker and Yellow Breasted Chat, but we have also heard from kayakers that they have seen mussels in the waters around Sickle Point," said committee member Randy Cranston in a press release.

“We thought we should check out the waters around Sickle Point to see if we could find this rare mussel that is only found in the Okanagan."

Oceantec Scuba, which is based in Kaleden, volunteered its services as a way to give back to the community.

"I remember as a kid going to Sickle Point and seeing so many frogs and turtles there," owner Kevin Aschoff said in the release. “It would be a shame if it was sold and developed."

According to a fact sheet published by the B.C. Environment Ministry, 70% of freshwater mussels in North America are at risk of becoming extinct, including the Rocky Mountain ridged mussel, which is found only in lakes of the Okanagan Valley.

.
The Save Sickle Point Committee is pleased to release the short film created by Penticton’s Tempest Theatre and Film Society.
Users on the KVR trail may have noticed cameras “rolling” in the area around Sickle Point recently. “We were so excited and grateful when Tempest Theatre and Film Society offered their help produce a film which would focus on Sickle Point and the need to protect it.” said Evelyn Kansy, Fundraising Co-ordinator for the Save Sickle Point Committee.
The film features biologist, Richard Cannings, MP, ecologist, and author and Don Gayton, and several Kaleden residents who were interviewed on why saving Sickle Point is a priority for them.
Benjamin Nunes, age 11, thoughtfully said “I want Sickle Point preserved so everyone can enjoy it and the animals can have a safe place to live.” Benjamin and his younger brother enjoy biking the trail and are interested in learning about the birds that use the wetland area.
Later in the day Rita Masson shared her concerns that if there were vehicles on the KVR, which would happen if even one house was developed at Sickle Point, that it would no longer be safe to bring her grandchildren. One of the key issues around Sickle Point being developed is that the only access to the property is via a segment of the KVR Trail, which is otherwise not open to motorized vehicles. This access was permitted by the province several years ago.
Save Sickle Point Committee and Tempest Theatre and Film Society hopes this film will encourage people to make a pledge to purchase this important place for everyone and as a legacy future generations. All funds raised will go directly to the purchase of Sickle Point.
Meanwhile members of the Sickle Point Committee are busy fundraising through social media and the crowd funding site www.wayblaze.com/sicklepoint. Applications to grants and foundations have been submitted or are in the process. An online petition requesting the provincial government to help protect the property and review vehicle access issues to the Sickle Point via the KVR trail is available at www.change.org/SaveSicklePoint
“We are confident that once people realize what we really will lose should Sickle Point be developed they will want to help save this unique place. The rare natural habitats, loss of viewscape, cars and other vehicles on the trail and the peace and enjoyment of nature will truly be missed if it is not protected.

Thank you to the
Tempest Theatre & Film Society for believing in our cause of saving the fragile ecosystem of Sickle Point and the KVR trail. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do and will share it with all your friends, family and networks.

Sunday, March 7, during the rain, hail and sunshine, members of the Save Sickle Point Committee held a Green Ribbon Pick Up drive-through event at Kaleden Pioneer Park. The community and those who had already made pledges to the Save Sickle Point campaign were invited to come and pick up their green ribbon to hang on their gate, fence, or front door to show their support.

 “I was inspired by the passion and commitment people have towards conserving Sickle Point.” said Shira Newell-Wallace, Event Coordinator for the Committee.  “It was a non-stop afternoon of enthusiasm for the project. We were delighted that there were several new donations from $20 to $5,000 towards the purchase!”  

More than 100 people passed through the information stations during the 2 hours designated for ribbon pick up.  Everyone signed the petition asking the provincial government for help. People came from Kaleden, Penticton, Okanagan Falls, Naramata, and Summerland.

“An outstanding turnout.” exclaimed Tom Siddon. “Response is growing, from signing the petition, making donations, new pledges and support for what we are trying to do.” he said.

MP Richard Cannings stopped by to pick up his green ribbon and show support for conservation. “I’m impressed by how busy it was while I was there.” said Cannings..

 “Despite Covid 19 restrictions and the inclement weather everyone had a good time at this super successful first event.” said Doreen Olson “Other events are being planned. We really hope that word of mouth will help spread the message about pledging to Save Sickle Point on the Wayblaze.com/SicklePoint page.   

Please help us by sharing the Wayblaze.com/SicklePoint link with all your friends, family, neighbours and co-workers.  We need your help to get this information out and be successful in raising the $1.5M by June 1, 2021.