West Kootenay EcoSociety will open the doors of the Kokanee Creek Visitors Centre again this summer thanks to a $15,000 grant from the Columbia Basin Trust’s Environmental Initiatives Program.
“We are very pleased to be running the Centre for 2012,” says EcoSociety executive director David Reid. “We’ve got lots of programs planned and the CBT has provided the backbone funding.”
In 2011 EcoSociety partnered with BC Parks to operate the centre, with the support of the Friends of West Kootenay Parks. BC Parks made repairs, upgraded the floors and installed a coffee bar. Thanks to grants from the CBT, the Conservation Branch, Area E and Area F, more than 10,000 campers and residents visited the Centre for programs, presentations and films last summer.
“We’ve made some amazing upgrades to the educational material and the centre is looking great,” said Reid. “We want to continue the successful programs like Jerry’s Rangers and Art in the Park for kids and evening presentations for campers and residents.”
New this year will be the first annual RedFish Festival on Sunday, August 26.
“The Kokanee are the heart of the park,” says Reid. “We see this festival as a great way to celebrate their return and learn more about them.”
The centre will also be available for group rentals in May and early June.
The center will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. beginning July 1 and will continue to offer the popular Science in the Park on Tuesdays, Storytelling in the Park on Saturdays and evening naturalist programs for the whole family.
Weekly schedules, volunteer opportunities, and more information will be posted at EcoSociety’s website: www.ecosociety.ca.