The Armstrong Wetlands Association will be working on an exciting new project over the next few years. This project concerns the City-owned property bordered on the east by Okanagan Street and on the north by Meighan Creek.
Currently this 1 acre wetland area is a monoculture of cattails. We are planning to excavate a small pond, build a hummock, and introduce a variety of native plant species to increase the biological diversity of the area. Besides increasing the diversity of the wetland, a pond will retain more groundwater and thus help prevent flooding in the spring. In time, a boardwalk and observation platform with educational signage will be constructed.
The primary aim of this project is to enhance valuable wetland habitat and to create an area of learning and enjoyment for Armstrong residents, students and visitors. A tentative timeline of the various stages is provided below along with a graphic rendering of the planned pond and boardwalk.
In addition to the support of the City of Armstrong, this initiative has received support from the B C Wildlife Federation, the Okanagan Basin Water Board, and the Regional District of the North Okanagan.
Tentative timeline for the Okanagan Street Wetland Project
- Winter 2024 ….. excavation of pond
- Spring 2025…. planting of native plants on excavated areas
- Summer/Fall 2025…. Boardwalk and viewing platform construction
- Signage to follow
Thanks to our project sponsors!
Community in Blooms 2023 judges visit site of Okanagan Street Wetland Project
AWA director Dianne Wells (far left) and AWA president Jill de la Salle (3rd from left) give two Community in Blooms judges a tour of the Okanagan Street Wetland site. Visiting Armstrong were Anne Kulla from Surrey (2nd from left) and Darlene Kalawsky from Castlegar (far right).