(Image Credit: Lyn Macdonald / Kamloops Naturalist Club)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

WETLANDS FUNDRAISER

Kamloops Naturalist Club working towards wildlife viewing platform for Tranquille wetlands

Sep 20, 2020 | 11:22 AM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops Naturalist Club has set a plan into motion to bring a new wildlife viewing platform to the Tranquille wetlands.

In a release, the club (KNC) says they’ve outlined three phases for the project, with completion planned for early 2022. Phase one has already started and includes a geotechnical investigation, biology work ,and archeological planning.

The wetlands are found at the head of Kamloops Lake, at the crossroads of Tranquille and Criss-Creek Road. The plan is to develop the viewing area to include paths from parking to both ends of a raised platform for a fully accessible experience. Eventually, the group hopes to have park amenities like benches, garbage cans and a washroom for the site.

KNC says they also want to expand educational programming with a webcam to film pond activity and deter park vandals, along with informative signage about the pond, and how the area has been used by Secwépemc people.

Club president Nancy Flood says they’ve been gathering input from community partners and stakeholders for the site design.

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“One of our first tasks was to work with Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc to complete a cultural assessment,” she explains in the release, “This is a grassroots project and this area is important to so many people. Everyone involved is invested and willing to take the time to construct a long-lasting public amenity that will provide educational and recreational opportunities for our community and a front seat to the wetland.”

To complete Phase one of the platform project, the club will need to raise $5,000. A charity auction will be held online on the Kamloops 24 Hour Bid Wars Facebook page from September 28 until October 4.

Image Credit: Lyn Macdonald / Kamloops Naturalist Club

“We’re so close to our Phase 1 goal, and are hopeful that this Facebook auction will bring in some much needed funds,” notes KNC member Jesse Ritcey, “We have unique experiences like guided birdwatching and gold panning trips, skill sharing, local books signed by the authors, gift certificates, incredible artwork, and lots more. You’ll have to log on to see it all.”

With the platform, KNC hopes to expand the quality of wildlife education the community can enjoy, but Ritcey says he also wants to fulfill the longtime dream of his grandfather, Ralph Ritcey- who is a retired senior wildlife biologist with the Ministry of Environment’s Fish and Wildlife Branch. Ritcey says the area was a favourite of his grandfather’s, and he is one of many club members who sought to have a viewing platform built decades ago.

To take part in the online auction, click here to access the Kamloops 24 Hour Bid Wars group on Facebook.