oasiss

Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society

06/25/2026

Did you know it's National Insect Awareness Week?! We'd like to introduce you to some very helpful insects that control knapweed, an invasive plant that grows in our region.

Larinus minutus is a biological control agent (natural insect enemy) that feeds on knapweed. Adults feed on leaves and bolting stems of diffuse and spotted knapweed. The larvae will feed exclusively on the seeds, leaving a hollowed-out seedhead.

Cyphocleonus achates is another knapweed bioagent. Adults also feed on the leaves and stems, while laying their eggs in the root. The larvae will feed on the inner root tissue and damage the plant from below.

Both insect species are present in the Okanagan-Similkameen region. They are host-specific weevils that love knapweed and eat nothing else.

Read more about knapweed here: www.oiso.ca/species/spotted-and-diffuse-knapweed

Learn about biological control here:
www.oasiss.ca/homeowners

Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen
District of Summerland
Penticton Indian Band Natural Resource Department
Town of Oliver
Lower Similkameen Indian Band
City of Penticton - Municipality
Town of Princeton
Village of Keremeos - Local Government

06/17/2026

We are super excited to have partnered with the Okanagan Basin Water Board, District of Peachland and City of West Kelowna to make these stencils come to fruition. Our staff will be assessing how effective this messaging is throughout the summer. Thanks to Jafa Signs for a great installation job!

06/10/2026

A TOXIC invasive plant is blooming in the and right now. HOARY ALYSSUM is toxic to horses and likes to grow in pastures, along roadsides, field edges and trails.

Identification:
*small white flowers growing in clusters
*purple stems
*slender, greenish-grey leaves
*distinct flattened oval seed pods

This plant can be DEADLY to horses if too much is ingested. Symptoms include stiffness, fever, leg swelling and laminitis.

Hoary alyssum can be mistaken for another invasive plant called HOARY CRESS, which has larger flower clusters and wider arrowhead-shaped leaves. It also blooms earlier in the year (April/May).

Visit www.OISO.ca to learn more about these two species.

Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen
District of Summerland
Penticton Indian Band Natural Resource Department
Town of Oliver
City of Penticton - Municipality
Lower Similkameen Indian Band
Town of Princeton
Village of Keremeos - Local Government
Invasive Species Council of BC

06/07/2026

You can enjoy the outdoors responsibly ☀️🌲

Invasive species prevention while camping includes:
* Buy it where you burn it! Avoid transporting firewood as it can contain invasive insects
* Clean off plant parts from your shoes, clothing, pets and vehicles and dispose of them in the garbage
* Clean, drain and dry your watercraft and equipment before moving them to a new lake

Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen
Okanagan Basin Water Board
Okanagan Nation Alliance
Grasslands Conservation Council of British Columbia
Invasive Species Council of BC
Penticton Indian Band Natural Resource Department
Lower Similkameen Indian Band
District of Summerland
City of Penticton - Municipality
Town of Oliver
Town of Princeton
Village of Keremeos - Local Government

06/02/2026

Congratulations to KATIE on her 4th anniversary with OASISS!! We love having you leading our Aquatics team. You have done amazing, stepping into a leadership role. We know we can count on your consistently positive attitude, cheery disposition and flexible nature. Thanks for all your hard work and dedication.

Regional District of North Okanagan
Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen
Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation
Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society
Lower Similkameen Indian Band
Okanagan Nation Alliance
Penticton Indian Band Natural Resource Department
Vernon Yacht Club
Kelowna Yacht Club
West Kelowna Yacht Club
Allan Brooks Nature Centre Society

05/30/2026

Meet our Aquatic Invasive Species crew! Katie, Kirsi and Sam are looking forward to seeing you at boat launches, community events, schools and summer camps this season!

Keep an eye on our social media pages for updates on where you can find the AIS crew to learn about how you can help protect our waterways from invasive species.

Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen
Okanagan Basin Water Board
Regional District of North Okanagan
Vernon Yacht Club
District of Summerland
Kelowna Yacht Club
West Kelowna Yacht Club
Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society
Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation
Lower Similkameen Indian Band
City of Penticton - Municipality
District of Lake Country
District of Peachland
City of West Kelowna
City of Kelowna
Town of Oliver
Village of Keremeos - Local Government
Town of Princeton
Okanagan Nation Alliance
Allan Brooks Nature Centre Society

05/29/2026

Get your aquatic invasive species questions answered for the upcoming boating season! Today, Kirsi is at the PENTICTON Canadian Tire until 2:30pm and Sam is at TW Outdoors in KELOWNA until 2pm.

Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen
City of Kelowna
City of Penticton - Municipality
Regional District of Central Okanagan
Okanagan Basin Water Board

05/03/2026

The South Okanagan Rehab Centre for Owls in Oliver is having its annual open house TODAY until 3pm! Visit the OASISS booth to chat with Cordelia and Peter about invasive species 🌱

Other highlights include meeting some owls up close, a silent auction and a BBQ by donation.

Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen
Town of Oliver

Address

8703 Palmer Place
Summerland, BC
V0H1Z2

Website

http://oasiss.ca/

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