In the heart of British Columbia’s ecologically rich South Okanagan Similkameen region, the South Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Program (SOSCP) has been on a remarkable journey since its inception in 2000. Comprising a dynamic partnership of government and non-government organizations, Indigenous groups and communities, academics, private business, and civil society, SOSCP has passionately dedicated itself to the preservation of the unique species and spaces that grace this rare and at-risk landscape.

After a two-year hiatus, dedicated partners have fueled the renewed interest for SOSCP to facilitate collaboration in the South Okanagan Similkameen. The SOSCP has embarked on a transformative journey of consultation, partnership building and strategic planning. Drawing on the collective wisdom of old and new partners, the program has identified short-term priorities, guided by landscape-level long-term conservation targets.

This renewal breathes new life into the SOSCP, allowing for a reimagining of approaches and values to foster a fully inclusive and representative conservation strategy and action plan for the South Okanagan Similkameen region. The SOSCP’s commitment to conservation transcends conventional boundaries, advocating for a transformative collaborative approach as its cornerstone. Collaborative conservation is a journey distinguished by innovation, adaptability, and an unwavering belief in the power of collective action to secure a more sustainable and nature positive future.