Events

Since we are in the peak boating season, there can be no better time to educate the need to prevent invasive mussels entering our lake.

The Invasive Mussel Defence Program are bringing their decontamination unit and a boat to demonstrate how they inspect a boat and how they decontaminate it if mussels are found or suspected.

The Osoyoos Lake Water Society (OLWQS), as part of its ongoing mandate to provide public education has created a special public event in partnership with the BC Mussel Defence Program team and the Osoyoos District Museum and Archives Society.

The Inspection and Decontamination Demo for Invasive Mussels will take place on on the grounds of  the Osoyoos District Museum Society building across from the Osoyoos Farmers’ Market on main street in Osoyoos.

“We have put together an amazing public event that will focus on preventing invasive aquatic species such as the Zebra and Quagga Mussels from taking a foothold in our precious Osoyoos Lake,” explains OLWQS President, Birgit Arnstein.  “Regardless of your watercraft connection to Osoyoos Lake, be it motorized or powered by nature or people, such as a kayak, canoe, paddleboard, sailboat, or even fishing gear such as bait buckets or waders, we are all responsible for NOT contaminating our lake with invasive species such as Zebra and Quagga mussels.”

Adds Arnstein, “This special event will include a presentation by members of the BC Mussel Defence Program about following the established Clean, Drain and Dry protocols to keep your watercraft free of invasive mussels. The Mussel Defence Program team will also demonstrate how to decontaminate a boat that is suspected of carrying invasive mussels.”

We will hear from Sergeant Josh Lockwood, a Conservation Officer with the Conservation Officer Service and Thad Elder an Aquatic Invasive Species Inspector, both of whom will be available to answer your questions.   Please make time to attend this special event.  We all have a responsibility to keep our Osoyoos Lake beautiful today, tomorrow and for our children’s children.”

About Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society

The Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society (OLWQS) was founded in 1991 by community members to help promote public awareness of the lake, covering issues such as conservation, pollution and lake management. It is a non-political, non-profit charitable organization run entirely by volunteers. www.osoyooslake.ca