06/04/2026
🌿 Lower Similkameen's Native Plant Garden is officially open! 🌿
You might have spotted the little colourful flags while driving past the Recreation Centre and wondered what they were all about -
On June 2, we celebrated the opening of the Similkameen Native Plant Garden with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Similkameen Recreation Centre!
This special project features plant species that are truly native to the Similkameen Valley and was created to encourage education, stewardship, and a deeper appreciation for the unique ecology of our region.
The garden is publicly accessible from the Recreation Centre parking lot, and we invite everyone to stop by, explore, and learn more about the plants that have called this valley home for generations.
A heartfelt limləmt (thank you) to Destination BC and Indigenous Tourism BC for funding, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen and their Recreation Centre team for providing support and a home for the garden, and to our many community partners and volunteers who helped bring this project to life. Special thanks to the Ntamtqen Community Garden, Lower Similkameen Indian Band, the eager ntamtqen after-school students and hardworking Similkameen Elementary Secondary School grads, Taylor Lezard, Jamie Long from Longtale Studio, and especially Kyla, whose passion, knowledge, and dedication helped turn this vision into reality.
We hope this garden inspires more native planting throughout the Similkameen: in our parks, public spaces, businesses, schools, and backyards!
If we're able to secure additional funding, we'd love to add individual plant markers featuring both English and nsyilxən plant names, along with artwork created by local students.
📍 Similkameen Recreation Centre
Similkameen Recreation Programs & Services
Okanagan Xeriscape Association
