A northeastern viewpoint of Osoyoos Lake. Photo Credit Neil Bousquet
Buy-Low Foods teamed up with the Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society (OLWQS) to raise funds to help the organization continue to conduct its scientific water measurements on the Canadian side of the lake.
“Buy-Low store manager Kelly Lopes kindly donated space in front of the store and provided us with the hotdogs, chips and beverages which we then sold to the public for $5, explains Birgit Arnstein, President of OLWQS. At the end of this special lunchtime event, we had raised almost $300 that also included public donations.
“We were pleasantly surprised by the number of people who engaged in meaningful conversations with us ranging from invasive mussels, to the higher than normal level of water in the lake and the importance of oxygen levels,” says Arnstein.
“It’s important for our organization get out into the community to engage with local residents and visitors to the south Okanagan about the importance of keeping Osoyoos Lake free of invasive species so that it can be enjoyed by future generations. Many don’t realize that our gathered data is used by the provincial government of BC as well other environmental organizations.
For such a small town, our dedicated volunteers do an amazing job, because they care deeply about the environment and they are dedicated to keeping our beautiful Osoyoos Lake so it can be enjoyed many generations from today.”
Arnstein praised volunteers Marie Gibbons, Darlene Hovid, Dave Kumka and Tami Marcus. who gave their personal time on a Saturday to help OLWQS.
She also invited the general public to the OLWQS’ Annual General Meeting on Saturday, May 25th at 1:00 PM at the Sun Bowl Arena when Ryan Benson a biologist with the Okanagan Nations Alliance and coordinator of the Sockeye Salmon reintroduction program will make a presentation.
Volunteer BBQ Chef Tami Marcus was responsible for creating tasty hotdogs. Photo Credit: Neil Bousquet
OLWQS volunteers Birgit Arnstein (yellow jacket) and Dave Kumka (far right) were engaged with visitors who had a lot of questions. Photo Credit: Neil Bousquet
Behind the table volunteers (l-r) Marie Gibbons and Darlene Hovid gathered the cash and delivered the hotdogs, chips and beverages. Photo Credit: Neil Bousquet
