Hoots and Howlers Blog

Okanagan’s Nature Nut – a nature blog by Roseanne Van Ee – May 14th, 2026

May 14th, 2026 Twisted Trees and Gnarly Branches An exposed life isn’t easy. Some old trees in the Okanagan have twisted to survive environmental stress from strong prevailing winds and […]

ABNC’s Grassland Blog Series

Enjoy Our Bountiful Native Saskatoon Blossoms and Berries By Roseanne Van EeThe Okanagan Nature Nut Our hills come alive each spring with flamboyant, brilliant yellow Wild Sunflower bouquets (AKA Arrow-leaf […]

ABNC’s Grassland Blog Series

Endangered Animals of BC Grasslands By Calista Foisy, BSc Grassland ecosystems support some of the highest biodiversity among all ecosystems. So what happens when these grasslands are fragmented, degraded or […]

ABNC’s Grassland Blog Series

BC’s grasslands: a very special 1% By Heidi Wismath Quick takeaway: BC’s native grasslands cover less than 1% of the province, but they hold an outsized share of biodiversity, beauty, and story. The North […]

ABNC’s Grassland Blog Series

The Awakening of our Grasslands Written by Harold Sellers With the arrival of Spring, the grasslands of British Columbia undergo a dramatic transformation. Colour — other than the white of snow or […]

ABNC’s Grassland Blog Series

The Uneasy Balance Between Ecological Preservation and Public Access Written by Eric Kowalski Across parks, forests, and protected landscapes, a persistent tension shapes modern conservation: how to safeguard fragile ecosystems […]

ABNC’s Grassland Blog Series

A history of Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park By Roseanne Van Ee We’re so lucky to have Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park! A sentiment so often echoed by locals. But how were […]

Rooted, Floating, Submerged: Pond Vegetation

Cattails are often a vital part of a wetland or riparian ecosystem. They grow easily and can sometimes take over a pond ecosystem. Even while seeming like they are growing […]

Wetland Ecosystem Health

What parameters do scientists look at to determine pond health and how they impact the system? Organism Diversity A pond that is habitat to a diverse selection of organisms contributes […]

Okanagan’s Nature Nut – a nature blog by Roseanne Van Ee – February 11, 2026

February 11th, 2026 Love Medicines Valentines Day is just around the corner.Historically, the Okanagan Indian/First Nations People concocted an interesting variety of “love medicines” from local native plants. These medicines […]

Okanagan’s Nature Nut – a nature blog by Roseanne Van Ee – January 23rd, 2026

January 23rd, 2026 The Subnivean Wilderness A whole new temporary ecosystem develops every winter wherever snow piles deeply enough to cover plants. It’s the subnivean (under snow) environment. High hills, […]

Okanagan’s Nature Nut – a nature blog by Roseanne Van Ee – December 15th, 2025

December 15th, 2025 Our Native Christmas Tree If you’re already familiar with Douglas-fir trees, then pass this on. It’s surprising how few people know our local native trees and plants, or even […]

Okanagan’s Nature Nut – a nature blog by Roseanne Van Ee – November 13th, 2025

Cloud Watching Ever since working at the Allan Brooks Nature Centre long ago, I’ve been slowly learning about clouds. That knoll offers the most remarkable cloud watching opportunities I’ve ever […]

Winter Below the Surface: The Surprising Survival Skills of Painted Turtles

A nature blog by Calista Foisy, BSc Have you ever seen a painted turtle laying on a rock in the sunshine? They are basking – using the heat from the […]

Norah’s Pond Construction update – Oct 27th, 2025

Norah’s Pond Construction Update – Pond Liner StageWhat we are learning as we dig As we’ve excavated, we’ve seen exactly what the valley is known for: a mix of tighter […]

Okanagan’s Nature Nut – a nature blog by Roseanne Van Ee – October 27th, 2025

October 27th, 2025 Look Up: The Disappearing Night Sky Head outside tonight and gaze at the sky. Can you see thousands of stars? The Milky Way? A shooting star? Do […]

Okanagan’s Nature Nut – a nature blog by Roseanne Van Ee – September 24th, 2025

September 24th, 2025 Ah September! Kids are back in school and we prepare our yards and freezers for winter. Okanagan wildlife tend to migrate, estivate or spawn. Some people think […]

2025 Norah’s Pond Revitalization Project

Starting mid-August this year, Norah Foord’s Pond will be undergoing a revitalization. This is a major project for us at the Nature Centre and it is an important one. Oases […]