Two open houses will take place next week so residents in the Okanagan can have a look at proposed changes to wildlife management areas.

The events will take place next week in Penticton and Oliver and will display information on parcels of land near Osoyoos Lake and Skaha Lake.

Proposals will include information about at risk species in the area as well as conservation to specific areas.

The first proposal would add several parcels of land to the existing South Okanagan Wildlife Management Area near the communities of Oliver and Osoyoos.

The proposed additions will conserve riparian and upland habitat for important wildlife, including several species at risk, including the Behr's Hairstreak butterfly and the Lewis' Woodpecker.

The second proposal is to establish the McTaggart-Cowan Wildlife Management Area on the east side of Skaha Lake immediately east of Penticton.

It neighbours the newly established Skaha Bluffs Park.

The designation of this proposed wildlife management area is important for protecting species at risk and their habitats in the South Okanagan, most notably lambing areas and foraging areas for California Bighorn Sheep.

The first meeting will take place in Oliver on Tuesday November 6th from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM in Meeting Room 2 at the Oliver Community Centre located at 6359 Park Drive.

The second meeting will take place in Penticton on Wednesday Novemeber 7th from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the Courtyard Atrium at the Ramada Inn and Suites located at 1050 Eckhardt Ave West.

Both wildlife management areas were recommended by the Okanagan Shuswap Land and Resource Management Plan.

Anita Sthankiya -Penticton