State of the Park Analysis for Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park, Kalamalka Lake Protected Area and Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve

Prepared for: Prepared by:

Ministry of Environment Lisa M. Tedesco 102 Industrial Place 6080 Learmouth Road Penticton, B.C. V2A 7C8 Coldstream, B.C. V1B 3G1

March 2006

State of the Parks Analysis: Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and Protected Area and Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park, Kalamalka Lake Protected Area and Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve (the park and protected areas) protect more than 3,700 ha in one contiguous unit. These areas protect one of the best examples of North Okanagan grasslands, unique cliff and wetland habitats and may contain more than twenty provincially listed plant and animal species. The Ministry of Environment and BC Parks are working towards developing an Ecosystem Based Operational Plan for the park and protected areas following the Ecosystem Planning Framework developed by BC Parks in the past five years.

The first stage in the framework is to complete a state of the park analysis to identify major issues and conflicts, scope the issues for use in the final planning document and identify information gaps. For the park and protected areas this was completed through an extensive literature review and interviews. Four government staff and two knowledgeable members of the public were interviewed. The focus of the interviews was to identify areas and species of concern, threats to those areas or species, changes that have occurred in the park and protected areas over time and required inventories or assessments.

The park and protected areas contain a variety of ecological values. One of the areas of greatest concern is the grassland ecosystems themselves and conserving any remaining intact examples. The wetland habitats, Bear Valley and cliff formations were three areas identified as being of special concern for future management. The 10-km of lake foreshore habitats is also important for conservation. Currently, twenty-one provincially listed species of plants, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals have been identified within the park and protected areas or are likely to occur. Each of these species has specific habitat needs that need to be considered.

The primary issues that are threatening the identified conservation values are invasive plants, fire suppression and related impacts and insect infestation. Issues of secondary concern include roads and right-of-ways, recreation use and trail and facility

L. Tedesco Page i March 2006 State of the Parks Analysis: Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and Protected Area and Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve development. Of tertiary concern to managers are urbanization, public attitudes and past and future issues that managers do not have direct control over, such as historic cattle grazing and global warming.

Numerous information gaps were identified following the literature review and interviews. There is insufficient knowledge on existing and potential rare species and habitats, in particular information on use patterns. Further research into fire suppression, forest ingrowth and fuel buildup is required, as impacts to plants and wildlife from changing habitat structure are unknown. Cosens Bay Road has now been open to the public for about 10 years and in this time no assessment has been made regarding animal mortality or traffic volumes. Several specific habitats within the park and protected area still require detailed species inventories. These are the wetlands, lake foreshore and cliff formations. The impacts of prescribed fire on invasive plants in grassland communities require further review before fire can be used as a management tool. The recently established Kalamalka Lake Protected Area has had almost no inventories or assessments completed and therefore require basic baseline work in the near future. Knowledgeable members of the public have initiated a great deal of work completed in the park and ecological reserve over the years. It is critical that ministry staff captures this knowledge and information.

Before moving forward on a formal Ecosystem Plan the identified information gaps need to be addressed. Conservation of the North Okanagan grasslands and addressing the numerous threats to this ecosystem should be of primary concern to managers. Recreation use of the area and public attitudes will continue to play a significant role in the day-to- day operations of the park and protected areas and in long-term management and planning. In addition to this influence, the impacts of recreational use and associated developments will also need to be addressed by managers.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...... i TABLE OF CONTENTS...... iii LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES ...... v

1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND...... 1 1.2 PROJECT OBJECTIVE ...... 1 2 STUDY AREA DESCRIPTION...... 2 2.1 KALAMALKA LAKE PROVINCIAL PARK...... 2 2.2 KALAMALKA LAKE PROTECTED AREA ...... 3 2.3 COUGAR CANYON ECOLOGICAL RESERVE...... 3 3 METHODS...... 6

4 ECOLOGICAL VALUES...... 6 4.1 TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS...... 6 4.1.1 Ecosections ...... 6 4.1.2 Biogeoclimatic Zones...... 7 4.1.3 Areas of Special Concern ...... 8 4.1.4 Rare and Endangered Plants...... 9 4.2 AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS...... 9 4.2.1 Lake Foreshore...... 9 4.2.2 Lagoons, Ponds and Wetlands...... 9 4.2.2.1. Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park...... 10 4.2.2.2. Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve...... 10 4.3 INVERTEBRATE AND VERTEBRATE WILDLIFE ...... 10 4.3.1 Insects and Butterflies...... 11 4.3.1.1. Immaculate green hairstreak ...... 11 4.3.1.2. Swallowtail Subspecies ...... 11 4.3.1.3. Robber Fly...... 12 4.3.2 Reptiles ...... 12 4.3.2.1. Western Rattlesnake...... 12 4.3.2.2. Western yellow-bellied Racer ...... 12 4.3.2.3. Gopher Snake ...... 13 4.3.2.4. Rubber Boa...... 13 4.3.2.5. Painted Turtle ...... 13 4.3.3 Amphibians ...... 14 4.3.3.1. Great Basin Spadefoot Toad...... 14 4.3.3.2. Long-toed and Northwestern Salamander...... 14 4.3.4 Birds...... 15 4.3.4.1. Canyon wren ...... 15 4.3.4.2. Lewis’s Woodpecker...... 15 4.3.4.3. Falcon Species...... 15 4.3.4.4. Western Screech-Owl...... 16 4.3.4.5. Flammulated Owl...... 16 4.3.4.6. Grasshopper Sparrow ...... 16

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4.3.5 Mammals ...... 17 4.3.5.1. Western Harvest Mouse ...... 17 4.3.5.2. Townsend’s Big-eared Bat ...... 17 4.3.5.3. Spotted Bat ...... 17 4.3.5.4. Mountain Goat...... 18 4.3.6 Fish ...... 18 5 ISSUES AND INVENTORIES...... 20 5.1 PRIMARY ISSUES AND INVENTORIES ...... 20 5.1.1 Invasive Plants...... 20 5.1.1.1. Recommended Inventories and Assessments...... 22 5.1.2 Fire Suppression and Related Impacts ...... 22 5.1.2.1. Recommended Inventories and Assessments...... 24 5.1.3 Insect Infestations...... 24 5.1.3.1. Recommended Inventories and Assessments...... 25 5.2 SECONDARY ISSUES AND INVENTORIES ...... 26 5.2.1 Roads and Right-of-ways...... 26 5.2.1.1. Recommended Inventories and Assessments...... 27 5.2.2 Recreation Use ...... 27 5.2.2.1. Recommended Inventories and Assessments...... 29 5.2.3 Trail and Facility Development...... 29 5.2.3.1. Recommended Inventories and Assessments...... 31 5.3 TERTIARY ISSUES AND INVENTORIES ...... 31 5.3.1 Urbanization and Public Attitudes ...... 31 5.3.1.1. Recommended Inventories and Assessments...... 32 5.3.2 Past and Future Issues...... 33 6 MATRICES...... 35

7 INFORMATION GAPS...... 39 7.1 RARE AND ENDANGERED SPECIES AND HABITATS ...... 39 7.2 FIRE SUPPRESSION AND RELATED ISSUES ...... 39 7.3 COSENS BAY ROAD ...... 40 7.4 SPECIES INVENTORIES ...... 40 7.5 PRESCRIBED FIRE...... 40 7.6 KALAMALKA LAKE PROTECTED AREA ...... 41 7.7 PUBLIC RESOURCES ...... 41 8 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS...... 41

9 REFERENCES ...... 43 APPENDIX A ...... 46

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LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES Figure 1. Map of the park and protected areas……………………………………………………..5 Table 1. Provincially listed species identified or likely to occur…………………………………19 Table 2. Prioritized list of inventories…………………………………………………………….34 Table 3. BC Parks Interaction Matrix…………………………………………………………….36 Table 4. Fine filter interaction matrix for identified conservation values and issues…………….38

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1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Project Background Ecosystem based management has become a guiding principle for provincial and federal government agencies responsible for land and resource planning, particularly where sustainable use and long-term conservation are paramount. In response to this management shift, BC Parks has developed an Ecosystem Planning Framework (EPF) to use as a model for the development of Ecosystem-Based Operational Plans. The EPF involves a hierarchy of planning levels that will focus and guide the management of individual parks and protected areas in both strategic and operational objectives (AXYS Environmental Consulting Ltd. 2002).

Ministry of Environment (MOE) staff responsible for Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park, Kalamalka Lake Protected Area and Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve (“the park and protected areas”) have selected these contiguous protected areas for review under the EPF with the long-term goal of developing an Ecosystem-Based Operational Plan. It is with this goal in mind that MOE retained the services of Lisa Tedesco in March 2006 to complete the initial stage of the framework.

1.2 Project Objective The first stage of the EPF involves the completion of a State of the Park analysis. The primary objectives of this project are: ƒ Identify ecological values of the park and protected areas including terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and vertebrate and invertebrate wildlife ƒ Identify issues associated with the interaction between ecosystem components and ecosystem components and people as they pertain to the park and protected areas ƒ Compile and summarize all available information on the major threats to the ecological values and ecosystems of the park and protected areas and to the ability to maintain the ecological integrity of the park and protected areas ƒ Identify a level of priority for addressing each of the threats or issues

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ƒ Summarize and prioritize the inventories and assessments that may be required to address the various threats ƒ Complete the BC Parks Interaction Matrix ƒ Identify knowledge gaps that may be preventing the recognition of threats or management issues

2 STUDY AREA DESCRIPTION

2.1 Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park (Kal Park) was established in September 1975 to “provide opportunities of regional, provincial and national significance, for access to outstanding natural features and significant outdoor recreation opportunities” (Public Advisory Committee 1984). In recent years, this objective has been expanded to include the protection of grasslands, upland forest, lakeshore and species at risk while still providing for a wide range of day-use outdoor recreation activities.

Kal Park is located 8 km south of Vernon and encompasses almost 1,000 ha of upland and foreshore environments (Figure 1). Prior to the creation of Kal Park this land belonged to Coldstream Ranch and was used for cattle grazing. The primary conservation values of the area are the significant representation of North Okanagan grassland ecosystems and the protection of provincially red-listed western rattlesnake populations and sufficient habitat to sustain all stages of their life history. Several other red and blue- listed plant, animal, insect and reptile species can be found in the park. Regionally significant recreational values also exist; the park is used extensively for walking, hiking, swimming, picnicking, horseback riding, biking and nature viewing, among other activities.

Two areas of the park, Twin Bays and Cosens Bay, are zoned for intensive recreation to provide for a variety of readily accessible facility-oriented outdoor recreation opportunities. The remainder of the park is zoned for nature recreation to protect scenic values and to provide for wildland recreation opportunities in a largely undisturbed natural environment.

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2.2 Kalamalka Lake Protected Area Kalamalka Lake Protected Area (the PA) was protected through the Okanagan-Shuswap Land and Resource Management Planning Process in April 2001. The PA extends south from the southern most point of Kal Park, protecting more than 5 km of lakeshore and land on either side of Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve (the ER) (Figure 1). The boundaries of the PA also extend northeast, protecting a large portion of the north facing slopes visible from Kal Park. In total, 2,223 ha of land and lake foreshore in a mostly undisturbed natural condition are protected. Within the PA are a number of private inholdings. Most of the properties have either seasonal cabins or permanent residences on them. One inholding contains an actively used rock quarry.

The PA is located approximately 15 km south of Vernon and can be accessed from land and water. The primary land access is via a short trail off of Cosens Bay Road or via King Eddie Forest Service Road to the east. A secondary access point by road or foot is at south end along the powerline road. By boat, visitors can access the lakeshore and upland areas from Kalamalka Lake. The primary role of the PA is to maintain the natural condition and continuity of shoreline and upland ecosystems connecting through Kal Park and the ER. The varied upland habitats contain numerous wildlife species including canyon wren and peregrine falcon, both rare in BC. A locally popular rock climbing area has developed in the PA north of Cougar Canyon and a network of well used hiking and biking trails has developed in the eastern portion of the PA. Along the shoreline, small isolated beaches allow for limited camping and day-use activities for boaters, canoers and kayakers.

2.3 Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve The 553 ha ER was protected in December 1981 because of its unique physical features and undisturbed state. Cougar Canyon is a narrow, relatively straight valley that runs northeast southwest through the length of the ER (Figure 1). In the canyon valley bottom is a chain of six elongated lakes, two of which have multiple basins separated by wetlands. These wetland complexes support amphibians, reptiles, birds and small

L. Tedesco Page 3 March 2006 State of the Parks Analysis: Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and Protected Area and Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve mammals and contain a unique, low elevation (550 m) occurrence of Western red cedar and skunk cabbage habitat.

Access to the area is difficult because of terrain features, heavy vegetation and private property. An access road for the power line runs parallel to the ER in the PA, crossing the boundary in a few locations. This road is gated on both ends and access onto it requires permission of private property owners. These factors result in very limited human use and protect the area from many of the human related threats that impact Kal Park and the PA.

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Figure 1. Map showing boundaries of Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park, Kalamalka Lake Protected Area and Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve.

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3 METHODS The State of the Park analysis was completed through a review of MOE and BC Parks documents and files including ecological studies, assessments and management reports conducted by various ministry staff, contractors and public members between 1975 and 2006. A series of interviews was also conducted to gather additional information on threats, issues and changes to the park and protected areas over time. Four government staff and two non-government individuals were interviewed. The list of interviewees and questions used can be found in Appendix A. I also refer to personal knowledge of the park and protected areas from time spent in the areas as a member of the public and as one of the North Okanagan Park Rangers.

4 ECOLOGICAL VALUES

4.1 Terrestrial Ecosystems

4.1.1 Ecosections Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park is considered to be the best representation of North Okanagan grassland in the region. For management purposes, the province has been broken down into ecosections which are broad units based on climate, physiography and general animal and plant distributions. Two different ecosections, North Okanagan Basin and North Okanagan Highland, have been identified within the park and protected areas. Both of these ecosections are extremely underrepresented in the Protected Areas System (Grassland Conservation Council of British Columbia 2004).

The Northern Okanagan Basin Ecosection is a wide trench located between the Thompson Plateau to the west and the Northern Okanagan Highlands to the east. Large lakes dominate the valley bottom, and the Bunchgrass zone is predominant on the lower valley slopes. Grasslands in this ecosection are transitional between the rough fescue- bluebunch wheatgrass communities of the Thompson regions upper grassland and Southern Okanagan Basins (Grassland Conservation Council of British Columbia 2004). The Northern Okanagan Highland Ecosection is a cool, moist, transitional mountain area, dominated by a rolling upland.

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4.1.2 Biogeoclimatic Zones Four biogeoclimatic subzones/variants can be found within the park and protected areas. Of these, three each are represented in Kal Park and the PA and two in the ER. Information on biogeoclimatic sites and variants is from Lloyd et al. (1990).

Within the provincial Protected Areas System (PAS), 92.4% of the representation of the Okanagan Very Dry Hot Interior Douglas fir variant, grassland phase (IDFxh1a) is contained within Kal Park. This variant occurs between Vernon and Lumby, north Kelowna and Wood Lake and in the Princeton area. Dry sites are characterized by pasture sage, bluebunch wheatgrass, arrow-leaved balsam root and silky lupine. Wet sites contain Idaho fescue, Kentucky bluegrass and stiff needle grass and may have moderately dense stands of trembling aspen in seepage areas.

The Okanagan Very Dry Hot Interior Douglas fir variant, forest phase (IDFxh1) is found in all the park and protected areas, which contribute a combined 36.9% of representation in the PAS. This variant is found at elevations of 400-1250 m in warm dry regions with long growing seasons and frequent drought conditions. The driest sites contain mature climax stands of very open ponderosa pine and Douglas fir. The sparse understory consists of saskatoon and birch-leaved spirea. Wet sites contain mature seral stands of Douglas fir and seral stands of paper birch. The understory is somewhat shrubby with red-osier dogwood, common snowberry and Douglas maple.

The Shuswap Moist Warm Interior Douglas fir variant (IDFmw1) is also represented in all the park and protected areas, contributing 50% to the PAS. This variant occurs at low elevations (500-1200 m) in the North Okanagan Highlands ecosection and is a transitional type between IDF and Interior Cedar Hemlock (ICH) zones. Open Douglas fir stands form on dry sites with ponderosa pine growing on south facing slopes. The dense shrub-herb understory contains saskatoon, falsebox, bluebunch wheatgrass and pinegrass. The dense, mature seral stands found on wet sites contain Douglas fir, ponderosa pine and western larch and in shaded areas western red cedar. The shrub layer

L. Tedesco Page 7 March 2006 State of the Parks Analysis: Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and Protected Area and Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve is more open and in addition to the species listed above may include thimbleberry and black gooseberry.

Contrary to it’s name, the Kootenay Moist Cool Interior Cedar Hemlock variant (ICHmk1) also occurs in the Okanagan Valley at elevations of 1100-1500 m. Only the PA contains this variant, contributing just 1.3% to PAS representation. Dry sites contain Douglas fir, lodgepole pine and western larch in open, mature seral stands. Pinegrass is the most widespread understory plant. On wet sites, hybrid white spruce, subalpine fir and western red cedar dominate. In the understory grow common horsetail, lady fern and oak fern.

4.1.3 Areas of Special Concern An agrologist with the Ministry of Forests and Range has identified an area of idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis) on the top of rattlesnake hill that is considered to be one of the best examples of this plant community type in the province (J. Millar and C. Klym, Pers. comm.). Protecting this intact remnant of the natural grasslands should be a priority for park managers.

Although Bear Valley is not known to contain any rare animals or plant communities, several interviewees identified this as an area with special conservation values because of the diversity of habitats and relatively undisturbed nature. Many of the park and protected areas larger mammals appear to use this area as a travel corridor and the more heavily forested north facing slopes provide a refuge from the heat during the summer months.

All three protected areas contain cliff habitats that may support unique or endangered species such as canyon wren and peregrine falcon. There is little to no existing inventory or research for these areas of special concern. Recreation use in Cougar Canyon climbing area and along Rattlesnake Hill could potentially disturb unidentified species or habitats.

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4.1.4 Rare and Endangered Plants Two rare species of plants have been identified within the park and protected areas. Awned cyperus (Cyperus squarrosus) is a grass species that grows in moist to wet, often sandy sites in Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, and bunchgrass areas. It is often associated with wetlands, riparian areas and temporary pools. This sweet-scented, tufted herb grows up to 20cm tall from short rootstalks and is provincially blue-listed.

Flat-topped broomrape (Orobanche corymbosa mutabilis) is a parasitic plant that is often found in association with big sagebrush. Parasitic plants lack chlorophyll because they do not need to photosynthesize to obtain nutrients. The absence of chlorophyll results in this species having a white or purple colour instead of the usual green colour of plants. Broomrape grows underground until it flowers, which it does not do on an annual basis (M. Martin, Pers. comm.). These characteristics make it a difficult species to observe. It has been seen at least once within Kal Park, on a rocky outcropping on Rattlesnake Hill. Flat-topped broomrape is red-listed within BC.

4.2 Aquatic Ecosystems

4.2.1 Lake Foreshore The park and protected area combined protect more the 10 km of waterfront including Jade, Juniper and Cosens Bays, numerous small protected beaches and steep cliffs rising straight from the waters edge. Kokanee salmon are know to spawn along the shoreline of the PA, and require undisturbed shoreline forest communities, clean lake-substrates and unaltered water circulation (Clarke 1998). Beach areas are also significant for invertebrates like dragonflies and tiger beetles and are becoming increasingly rare in the North Okanagan (O. Dyer, Pers. comm.).

4.2.2 Lagoons, Ponds and Wetlands Numerous small catchment basins can be found in Kal Park and the ER. These areas, ranging from the series of lakes in the ER to the cattle ponds in the southern portion of Kal Park, have been recognized as having significant habitat values for plants, insects, amphibians, reptiles and migrating birds.

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4.2.2.1 Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park Within Kal Park, two areas in particular have been identified as areas of special concern: Cosens Bay lagoon and Red Hawthorn pond. Long-shore drift likely formed the Cosens Bay lagoon, located at Cosens Bay, during a time when lake levels receded. The lagoon receives its water from surface run-off, groundwater seepage and direct precipitation. The water is slightly saline and alkaline with eutrophic nutrient levels (Kangasniemi and Warrington 1983). Red Hawthorn pond was likely created when Coldstream Ranch personnel diverted Red Hawthorn Creek away from the access road into a small forested depression, prior to creation of the park. The ponderosa pines growing there were unable to withstand the increased moisture levels and slowly died off, leaving an open pond surrounded by aspen and red hawthorn (Kangasniemi and Warrington 1983). There is also a dam higher up the creek near the cattle pond that has likely altered natural water flows (M. Martin, Pers. comm.).

4.2.2.2 Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve In the bottom of the canyon valley a chain of six elongated lakes can be found, two of which have three basins separated by wetlands. The plant communities in this area are highly varied, ranging from ponderosa pine-bunch grass to Western red cedar-skunk cabbage. Only the most northerly and southerly lakes have been subject to inventories and research because heavy brush in the valley bottom and steep canyon walls makes access to the interior lakes very difficult. The Eco Wardens (volunteer stewards) have conducted several field trips resulting in the collection of 200 plant species and more than 20 dragonfly species (Martin 1999). The ecosystems available for scientific research and study in this area are not readily available elsewhere; further study, although challenging, could offer up significant and valuable data regarding species and ecosystem functions.

4.3 Invertebrate and Vertebrate Wildlife Table 1 outlines the rare and endangered species that have been identified within the park and protected areas or are likely to occur. The North Okanagan Naturalist’ Club has conducted numerous ecological inventories in Kal Park and the ER. A Guide to the Natural History of Kalamalka Provincial Park was written by club members and published in 1986. Comprehensive species inventories for plants, invertebrates, reptiles,

L. Tedesco Page 10 March 2006 State of the Parks Analysis: Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and Protected Area and Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve amphibians, birds and mammals are contained at the back of the book. The annual reports submitted by club members regarding their trips to the ER also contain extensive species inventory lists. These reports are located in the Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve files at the Penticton Ministry of Environment Office.

4.3.1 Insects and Butterflies Three provincially significant invertebrate species have been identified in the park and protected areas.

4.3.1.1 Immaculate green hairstreak The immaculate green hairstreak (Callophrys affinis) is a medium sized butterfly that inhabits grassland, shrublands and openings in coniferous forests. The upperside of the wing is unmarked and ranges in colour from gray to orange to brown. The underside is yellowish green with possibly an orange or gray patch on the forewing. The larval host for this species is Sulphur buckwheat. The immaculate green hairstreak is blue-listed in BC.

4.3.1.2 Swallowtail Subspecies Several documents comment on the presence of swallowtail butterflies in Kal Park. Lea et al. (1991) indicates that hybridization zones for this species can be found in the Okanagan Basin and that Cosens Bay lagoon provides a prime source for minerals and water. Scheer (1993) comments that there are four insect species with management priority including “several hybrid species of swallowtail butterfly”. Neither of these reports provides a species name.

According to the BC Conservation Data Centre, there is only one subspecies of swallowtail butterfly (http://srmapps.gov.bc.ca/apps/eswp/search.do). Baird’s swallowtail (Papilio machaon pikei) is only known to occur in boreal white and black spruce forest cover types and has currently only been identified in the Peace Forest District. Further documentation and identification of swallowtail butterflies within the park and protected areas is therefore required. Baird’s swallowtail is blue-listed in BC.

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4.3.1.3 Robber Fly The particular species of Robber Fly (Efferia okanagana) found in Kal Park is only found in the Okanagan Valley. This harmless insect spends its larval stage in the soil hunting for other larvae and pupae to eat. The eggs are gently placed in the dried flowerheads of bunchgrass. Little else is know about the species at this time but researchers suspect that much can be learned from other robber fly species elsewhere in the world. The Okanagan’s robber fly is currently red-listed.

4.3.2 Reptiles Five reptile species of note have been observed and identified within the park and protected areas on a regular basis over the last thirty years. Information on ecology of reptile species is from the BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer Resources (http://srmapps.gov.bc.ca/apps/eswp/search.do) and Behler and King (1979).

4.3.2.1 Western Rattlesnake The western rattlesnake is found in Douglas fir, ponderosa pine and grassland habitats of southern BC. Mating season is from March to May with young born August to October. Rattlesnakes hibernate in communal dens in rocky outcroppings for 6-7 months between October and April. The western rattlesnake is frequently sighted during the summer months in the Cosens Bay valley and at Rattlesnake Point. In a study conducted between 1981-1985, fifteen rattlesnake dens were identified within Kal Park and approximately 850 individual snakes were marked (Macartney 1994). A follow-up study in 1994 revisited the dens and recaptured snakes, finding fourteen of the sixteen dens in use and populations healthy (Macartney 1994). Rattlesnakes feed almost exclusively on small mammals, catching them alive and swallowing them whole headfirst. The western rattlesnake is the only venomous snake in BC and is provincially blue-listed.

4.3.2.2 Western yellow-bellied Racer Racer species prefer grassland habitats, open forests and rocky, forested hillsides and in BC are only found in the most southerly regions of the province. Racers mate from April to late May, with eggs laid in mid-June to August under rocks or in rotting tree stumps. Young hatch July to September and mature in 2-3 years. During winter, racers will

L. Tedesco Page 12 March 2006 State of the Parks Analysis: Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and Protected Area and Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve hibernate with other species in rocky outcroppings. Their diets generally include small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and large insects with hunting techniques ranging from stealthy approach to chasing being employed. The western yellow-bellied racer is blue-listed in BC.

4.3.2.3 Gopher Snake The Great Basin subspecies of the gopher snake can be observed in grassland, ponderosa pine and cedar hemlock habitats of Kal Park, the PA and the ER. Gopher snakes mate in May and lay their eggs below large rocks or in sandy burrows from June to late July. Hatch occurs in late August or early September, frequently in communal nest sites with other species. Gopher snakes feed primarily on small rodents, using constriction to kill their prey prior to ingesting it. The Great Basin gopher snake is blue-listed in BC.

4.3.2.4 Rubber Boa The rubber boa may occur within the park and protected areas and is currently yellow listed (no concern) in BC. The information available within the province regarding the population health of this species is minimal. Generally, species occurrence is considered significant and therefore effort should be made to determine if it is present within the park and protected areas. The rubber boa mating season us unknown, but the snake gives birth to live young from late August to September. Prey consists primarily of small mammals that are killed by constriction. The rubber boa is a good swimmer, burrower and climber.

4.3.2.5 Painted Turtle The painted turtle can be found in wet areas of the park and protected areas including the cattle pond and lakes in the ER. The painted turtle nests in May-July, with incubation lasting 10 to 11 weeks. This species likes areas of slow moving water with soft bottoms, where they hibernate in winter, plenty of vegetation and partially submerged logs. Painted turtles are opportunistic feeders consuming plants and animals, live or dead, that can be obtained from the bottom of the water. The painted turtle is provincially blue- listed.

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4.3.3 Amphibians The Great Basin spadefoot toad has not been positively identified or observed within Kal Park, the PA or the ER but is likely to occur. Long-toed salamander has been observed in many areas of the park and protected areas. The larval stage of an unidentified salamander species has also been seen. Information on the ecology of these two species is from the BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer Resources (http://srmapps.gov.bc.ca/apps/eswp/search.do) and Behler and King (1979).

4.3.3.1 Great Basin Spadefoot Toad This member of the toad family is difficult to observe because it spends most of its time buried under ground and is nocturnal. This species has been found across the valley in similar habitat at the Allan Brooks Nature Centre and thus is likely to occur within the park and protected areas (M. Martin, Pers. comm.). The best time for success in spotting this species is during or immediately after a heavy rain during the hot summer months. The Great Basin spadefoot toad requires different habitats for breeding, which occurs in ponds, feeding and hibernating. Little is known about the latter two life stage requirements except that they forage primarily on invertebrates and can remain buried underground for up to eight months of the year. Within BC this species is blue-listed.

4.3.3.2 Long-toed and Northwestern Salamander Long-toed salamander breed in many of the standing pools of water found throughout the park and protected areas (North Okanagan Naturalists’ Club 1986). In August 1999 a group of highly skilled volunteers from the North Okanagan Naturalist’ Club were conducting dragonfly surveys in the north end of the ER. The group spotted two salamander larvae in a small, shaded, seep-fed pool in a Western red cedar-skunk cabbage area. Capture was not possible because of lack of supplies but a sketch was made to allow for identification at a later time. Although long-toed salamander is a common species in the North Okanagan this well shaded pool is not a type of habitat they would commonly be associated with. Based on the sketch made, the larvae were identified as being northwestern salamander (M. Martin, Pers. comm.). The northwestern salamander is not a species of concern within BC, but to find an occurrence of it this far east would represent a new boundary for its distribution and certainly be worthy of note.

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4.3.4 Birds At last count, in 1985, 130 different bird species had been observed within the park and protected areas including both residents and migrants. Of these, six that have been observed or have a high potential to occur are listed provincially.

4.3.4.1 Canyon wren The canyon wren (Catherpes mexicanus) is a small, dark red-brown bird that nests and feeds in steep cliffs and canyons, such as those found along Rattlesnake Hill and Cougar Canyon. This wren is nonmigratory and can be severely impacted by harsh winters. The canyon wren will often attempt to raise two broods of chicks, laying the first set of eggs in April or May and having the second set hatch in June or July (Cannings 1995a). For the most part, little is know about the breeding ecology of this species and their tolerance to human activity. Canyon wrens have been observed in the park and protected areas as recently as this winter, although whether or not the birds are nesting in the park is unknown (M. Hubble, Pers. comm). Within BC this bird is blue-listed.

4.3.4.2 Lewis’s Woodpecker There are several past accounts of this species nesting within Kal Park. Lewis’s woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis) is strongly associated with mature, open-canopied ponderosa pine forests and black cottonwood stands. This large, darkly coloured bird nests in large dead or dying trees and feeds opportunistically on insects, fruit and seeds (Cooper et al. 1998). The greatest threat to this species is loss of habitat and it is currently red-listed within BC.

4.3.4.3 Falcon Species The habitats within Kal Park, the PA and the ER are well suited to both the peregrine (Falco peregrinus anatum) and prairie falcon (Falco mexicanus). Both species have been noted on occasion in the past 30 years and are currently red-listed in BC.

The peregrine falcon is easily identifiable by its wide black sideburns. This bird nests on rocky ledges in cliff bands and feeds on smaller birds, catching them by making a high- speed dive (Cooper and Beauchesne 2003). Although no peregrine falcons have been

L. Tedesco Page 15 March 2006 State of the Parks Analysis: Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and Protected Area and Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve sighted in the park in recent years, suitable habitat exists and as populations throughout the province recover there is the potential for them to return.

The prairie falcon is considered a rare bird in BC, with an estimated 20 breeding pairs throughout their range in 2004 (Cooper and Beauchesne 2004). The prairie falcon needs cliff habitats for nesting and open grassland habitats with healthy populations of small mammals and birds for foraging. The last accounts of this bird in Kal Park are from the Cosens Bay area in the 1950s (O. Dyer, Pers. comm.).

4.3.4.4 Western Screech-Owl

The interior subspecies of the western screech-owl (Megascops kennicottii macfarlanei) has been identified within the park and protected areas at various times since the creation of the park and occurs elsewhere in the greater Vernon area. The screech-owl is a secondary cavity nester, occupying cavities previously excavated by pileated woodpeckers or northern flickers (MWLAP 2004). Their breeding habitat is strongly associated with riparian areas, making them most likely to inhabit the ER or Bear Valley- Deep Lake area. The screech-owl is a generalist, feeding on small mammals, amphibians and insects. The interior western screech-owl subspecies is red-listed in BC.

4.3.4.5 Flammulated Owl The flammulated owl (Otus flammeolus) is a small, insectivorous secondary cavity-nester that breeds in dry ponderosa pine-Douglas fir forests (van Woudenberg 1999). There are significant information gaps related to this species habitat requirements, reproductive capabilities and distribution. In BC the flammulated owl begins breeding in mid May with chicks fledging between July and August. Breeding territory is characterised by dense stands with a multi-layer canopy and old-growth elements. The flammulated owl is blue-listed provincially.

4.3.4.6 Grasshopper Sparrow The grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) prefers bluebunch wheatgrass dominated habitats and is highly sensitive to cattle grazing. There are only nine known breeding sites in BC. Little is known about nesting habitats and reproductive capabilities;

L. Tedesco Page 16 March 2006 State of the Parks Analysis: Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and Protected Area and Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve eggs are laid in early June and birds seem to have semicolonial habits with multiple males defending small territories in a larger area of suitable habitat (Cannings 1995b). Grasshopper sparrows have been observed in the Cosens Bay Valley but it is not known for certain that they are nesting in the area. This species is currently red-listed in BC.

4.3.5 Mammals A range of common and uncommon mammals including small rodents, mustelids, snowshoe hare, coyote, deer and black bear can been seen within the park and protected areas. Of these, three are provincially listed and one is worthy of special note.

4.3.5.1 Western Harvest Mouse The western harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys megalotis) is a small grassland associated rodent. Its preferred habitat consists of densely shrub covered dry gullies that border open grasslands. The harvest mouse feeds primarily on seeds and invertebrates, but will also consume flowers, vegetative matter and fungi. Females usually produce two or three litters of 1-7 young per year (Nagorsen 1995). This species is naturally rare in grassland ecosystems and has therefore been placed on the provincial blue-list of sensitive species.

4.3.5.2 Townsend’s Big-eared Bat The Townsend’s big-eared bat (Plecotus townsendii) gets its name from its enormously large ears that are almost one-half its body length. The habitats this bat can be associated with are incredibly varied, but in the Okanagan Valley it will frequently be found roosting in caves during the day and foraging for moths and other flying insects in moist coniferous and deciduous forests (Blood 1998). Females form nursery colonies in about June, raising young communally in warm caves, old mines or buildings (Nagorsen and Brigham 1993). Hibernation is generally done individually or in small groups. The Townsend’s big-eared bat is provincially blue-listed.

4.3.5.3 Spotted Bat Spotted bats have been identified in areas across Kalamalka Lake and likely use Kal Park as well (O. Dyer, Pers. comm.). The spotted bat is the only bat in Canada to have an audible echolocation call. It is a large bat with large pink ears, black fur and white spots

L. Tedesco Page 17 March 2006 State of the Parks Analysis: Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and Protected Area and Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve on each shoulder and on the rump (Garcia et al. 1995). The spotted bat roosts during the day in crevices of steep cliffs and hunts over open ponderosa pine forests and marshes adjacent to lakes (Nagorsen and Brigham 1993). Mating likely occurs in autumn with females storing sperm overwinter until ovulation and fertilization take place in spring (Garcia et al. 1995). The spotted bat is provincially blue-listed.

4.3.5.4 Mountain Goat In November 2005 a lone mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus), assumed to be male, arrived in Kal Park and has been regularly observed on the south facing cliffs of Rattlesnake Hill since that time. There is no historic record of mountain goat inhabiting the park so the arrival of this individual is worthy of note. The nearest populations of mountain goats from which this goat could have dispersed are located in the Monashees near Sugar Lake and Big White area east of Kelowna. The mountain goat is not a species of concern in BC.

4.3.6 Fish During one of his many field trips to the ER, Malcolm Martin (Pers. comm.) noticed two species of fish in the third lake along in the canyon system. An attempt was made to transport one sample back to Vernon for identification, but the specimen did not survive the trip in an identifiable state. What is worthy of note is the fact that the chain of lakes is a closed system, having no substantial inlet or outflow. Because of the inaccessibility of the ER, it is highly unlikely that fishermen either transported fish to this lake in an effort to stock it or ventured to the lake for a fishing trip and released bait. It is therefore possible that these fish have been isolated in the lakes since the recession of the last ice age and represent a unique subspecies. At the very least, if an isolated population of fish is found in one of the lakes, an opportunity for research on species evolution may exist.

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Table 1. Provincially listed species that have been identified within the park and protected areas or are likely to occur. Identification categories are yes (Y), no (N), unknown (?) and possible (P).

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME LIST KAL PA ER Plants Flat-topped broom rape Orobanche corymbosa Red Y P P Awned cyperus Cyperus squarrosus Blue Y P P Invertebrates Immaculate green hairstreak Callophrys affinis Blue Y P P Baird’s swallowtail Papilio machaon pikei Blue P ? ? Robber fly Efferia okanagana Red Y ? ? Reptiles Western rattlesnake Crotalus oreganus Blue Y Y Y Western yellow-bellied racer Coluber constrictor Blue Y Y Y Gopher snake Pituophis catenifer Blue Y Y Y Rubber Boa Charina bottea Yellow Y ? ? Painted turtle Chrysemys picta Blue Y Y Y Amphibians Great basin spadefoot toad Spea intermontana Blue P P P Birds Canyon wren Catherpes mexicanus Blue Y Y P Lewis’s woodpecker Melanerpes lewis Red Y P P Peregrine falcon (subspecies) Falco peregrinus anatum Red P P P Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus Red P P P Western screech owl Megascops kennicottii Red Y P P Flammulated owl Otus flammeolus Blue Y P P Grasshopper sparrow Ammodramus Red Y N ? Mammals Townsend’s big-eared bat Corynorhinus townsendii Blue P P P Spotted bat Euderma maculatum Blue P P P Western harvest mouse Reithrodontomys Blue Y ? P

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5 ISSUES AND INVENTORIES A wide variety of activities, events and attitudes (the issues) were identified during the review process as threatening at least one of the ecological values. The top three ecological values of concern identified by interviewees reflected what was written in the reports and assessments. The top three values were grassland ecosections, wetlands and endangered species.

The issues of concern ranged from pressures exerted on ecosystems from human recreation to public attitudes towards management activities. No one document or individual commented on all identified issues. The three issues consistently of greatest importance to interviewees were invasive plants, fire suppression and related issues and roads/right-of-ways. As with values, their responses closely mirrored the information available in reports and assessments.

The issues can be broken down into those of primary, secondary and tertiary concern. For many of the issues a corresponding inventory, assessment or management action was also recommended. The greatest inventory needs relate to identifying the remaining intact grasslands, conducting inventories of sensitive ecosystems and species and assessing the impacts of Cosens Bay Road. See Table 2 at the end of this section for a prioritized list of all recommended inventories.

5.1 Primary Issues and Inventories

5.1.1 Invasive Plants The primary role of Kal Park has always been protection of the native North Okanagan grasslands. Therefore, the introduction of non-native species, particularly invasive plants, has been the most important issue for Kal Park since it was established in 1975. Invasive plants such as diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa), sulphur cinquefoil (Potentilla recta) and St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), crowd out native grass and herb species and potentially alter the nutrient cycle within the soil.

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One of the first invasive plants recognized in Kal Park was knapweed, likely brought in by vehicle use and cattle grazing prior to the park’s establishment. It has since spread into the PA and more recently the ER. Both chemical spraying and biocontrol have been used on knapweed with some success. Biocontrol involves the release of species-specific insects that attack plant parts, reducing plant vigor or killing them outright.

The invasive plants that have spread the most in the last five years, and are of greatest concern to managers at this time, are sulphur cinquefoil and St. John’s wort. There is no biocontrol agent for sulphur cinquefoil; it is a member of the strawberry family and all insects tested to date have also attacked native strawberry and cinquefoil species. This plant invades both exposed and non-exposed soil and is difficult to see because it is low growing.

One of the first successful biocontrol experiments was carried out on St. John’s wort across Canada and North America. Two related beetles specific to St. John’s wort were released in the late 1980s and early 1990s resulting in a significant reduction of this noxious weed. The last time either of these biocontrol agents was identified within the park and protected areas was 1996 (Martin 1997). Only one of the two insects was present and it was not known if both were required for successful control. The tall yellow flowering stems can now be seen growing throughout the grassland edges and open forested areas of the park and the PA.

The greatest difficulty in controlling invasive plants within the park and protected areas comes from recreation use and vehicles travelling Cosens Bay Road. Vehicles and people, whether walking, cycling or horseback riding, act as moving vectors for seed dispersal. Native animals and off leash dogs also contribute to the spread of invasive plants. The well-established trail network extends into almost every area of the park and PA and vehicles are permitted on Cosens Bay Road and two hydro access roads. Only service vehicles are permitted on the hydro access roads. In addition to authorized vehicle access, there are instances of 4x4s, ATVs and dirt bikes making there way into the grasslands, onto the old logging trails in the PA and accessing the hydro line access road

L. Tedesco Page 21 March 2006 State of the Parks Analysis: Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and Protected Area and Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve adjacent to the ER. All of these factors contribute to the spread of weeds and make control of the spread very difficult. The most intact grasslands appear to be on top of Rattlesnake and Bear Hill, but ministry staff have not undertaken a complete assessment of these. The following is a list of some of the invasive plant species found within the park and protected areas: ƒ Knapweed species ƒ Mullein ƒ White melilot ƒ Sulphur cinquefoil ƒ Purslane ƒ Hoary alyssum ƒ St. John’s wort ƒ Cheet grass ƒ Green foxtail grass ƒ Common cocklebur ƒ White willow ƒ Smooth brome ƒ Scotch thistle ƒ Tumble mustard ƒ Quack grass ƒ Rush skeleton weed ƒ Norwegian maple ƒ Russian thistle ƒ Leafy spurge ƒ Birdsfoot trefoil ƒ Salsify ƒ Dalmatian toadflax ƒ Bittersweet

5.1.1.1 Recommended Inventories and Assessments The need for further inventory of weed species, intact areas and sensitive ecosystems were important to most of the interviewees. A complete inventory of the weed species present within Kal Park, the PA and the ER is certainly required. Identification and assessment of intact grassland patches would increase the chances of maintaining them in a predominantly natural state. To aid in management efforts, the identification of broad management boundaries with a focus on protecting existing intact grasslands is desirable. One interviewee also felt that a range assessment could be valuable. A full range assessment differs from a species inventory in that it also takes into consideration health of identified grassland species and health of the growing environment.

The final element of inventory that was important to most individuals was sensitive ecosystem inventory. This inventory combines sensitive ecosystem mapping and wildlife habitat mapping to identify relative conservation values for an area. This inventory is being completed currently and will provide direction for managers when determining which areas are most critical to take action in.

5.1.2 Fire Suppression and Related Impacts The natural fire regime expected in open ponderosa pine grassland ecosystems consists of frequent low intensity burns at an interval of 10-20 years. Low intensity burns thin out the young ponderosa pine, introduce a pulse of nutrients that revitalizes plant growth and

L. Tedesco Page 22 March 2006 State of the Parks Analysis: Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and Protected Area and Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve reduces the amount of limbs and ladder fuels on mature, fire resistant ponderosa pine (MacKenzie 2005). The absence of lower limbs and open stand spacing that results limits the occurrence of high intensity crown fires. This fire cycle is critical to the maintenance of healthy grasslands and nutrient cycles. For a variety of reasons, both natural and human caused wildfire have been suppressed within the park and protected areas since the early 1900s. The most notable impacts of active fire suppression have been forest ingrowth and fuel buildup.

Although these three issues are often discussed in isolation, they are inextricably linked. Without frequent fire events to limit sapling growth, dense stands of immature ponderosa pine slowly encroach on the grasslands over time, choking out native grasses and possibly changing the availability of water and nutrients for other plants. Fuel build up comes from a number of sources that would normally be controlled by low intensity fires. Dense groves of young saplings, heavy limbs growing to ground level on mature pine and thick beds of pine needles all increase the risk of a fire event occurring and the intensity of fire that will result.

Increased recreation use throughout the park and continued urban development along portions of the park boundary presents a different set of risks and threats. Between 1950 and 1998, 78% of the fire starts in Kal Park and surrounding area were caused by humans or human activities (Ember Research Services 1998). Open fires are not permitted anywhere in the areas but overnight camping is unrestricted outside of the developed Twin Bays and Cosens Bay beach areas. With thousands of people visiting the park and protected areas during the summer months, the chance of a human caused fire occurring is high. The abnormal fuel loads would likely result in an uncharacteristically intense fire event that could devastate the native grasslands and open forests habitats. A high intensity fire could also threaten human lives and property. Most residents are acutely aware of this reality, particularly since the urban-interface wildfires in Barrier and Okanagan Mountain Park in 2003. Concerns over human safety and risks to property put pressure on managers to deal with fuel build-up. Fuel management in itself is not undesirable and has been undertaken in Provincial Parks throughout the region. But all

L. Tedesco Page 23 March 2006 State of the Parks Analysis: Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and Protected Area and Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve management activities, from treatment of invasive plants to the removal of fuels, have the potential the influence factors well beyond the immediate scope of the project.

5.1.2.1 Recommended Inventories and Assessments Taking this into consideration, some interviewees indicated that continued monitoring of the effectiveness and impacts of current fuel management and restoration activities is critical. Mechanical removal of trees and brush could cause soil disturbance such as erosion or compaction, because of the use of small machines and increased foot traffic. In areas were brush is removed through pile burning, the high fire intensity in an isolated spot could interfere with natural revegetation on those sites. Native grass seed is being planted in these areas, but growth should be closely monitored to ensure invasive plants are not colonizing the areas first.

Public opinion regarding fuel management and habitat restoration within parks is strong but a clear understanding of all the issues and considerations is not always present. The ministry will need to continue with the current public forums, newspaper articles and radio clips to build an understanding in the community of the need for management actions and the benefits and drawbacks of the different methods available and chosen.

In order to determine fire hazard risk for the park and protected areas, completion of a MOF standard Vegetative Resources Inventory (VRI) is required. VRI is a two-stage process involving photo interpretation and ground based sampling that identifies the locations of vegetation resources and the amount of those resources within an area. This information is then combined with data on weather, slope, aspect, elevation and other details to determine the fire hazard rating for an area.

5.1.3 Insect Infestations According to estimates made during a recent bark beetle survey in the north west corner of Kal Park, approximately 1-2% of the ponderosa pine is or has been infected by western pine beetle (Dendroctonous brevicomis) (unpublished data). This is the first inventory to be completed so rate of spread is not known at this time. Western pine beetle is a natural component of a healthy forest ecosystem and individual attacked trees have been evident

L. Tedesco Page 24 March 2006 State of the Parks Analysis: Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and Protected Area and Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve in the park for many years. This makes it difficult to determine when the current infestation began. It has only been in the last year or two that small to medium sized patches of red and gray attacked trees have become evident and of concern to managers. The remainder of Kal Park, the PA and the ER have not been checked or inventoried for attacked trees.

The western pine beetle is similar to the mountain pine beetle but with random instead of parallel egg galleries and the potential to produce two overlapping broods within a year (MOF/CFS 2001). It generally breeds in mature or old trees that have been previously weakened, but will attack healthy young trees during an epidemic. Western pine beetle populations in the region are not well surveyed, however, they are known to be on the rise and becoming an increasing forest health concern. Forest insects are natural components of the ecosystem, and in the short term infestations provide forage for woodpeckers and habitat for primary and secondary cavity-nesting species. In the long- term, fallen trees become coarse woody debris, which is used by numerous small mammal and rodent species, and through decay return nutrients to the soil.

When naturally occurring populations of bark beetles become epidemic, the impacts can be very different. The current mountain pine beetle epidemic in BC provides a good example of the potential forest insects have to alter forest structure and increase wildfire hazard risks. Most of the boundary of Kal Park falls within an urban-interface zone so management of any increased fire hazard risk will be important.

5.1.3.1 Recommended Inventories and Assessments The western pine beetle was considered to be a very significant issue for park managers by several interviewees. This is an issue that will increase in importance in the future as the infestation progresses. The inventory completed this past winter provides baseline data on infestation levels and is a good first step. The next step is to complete a risk assessment for the infected area and modeling exercise to try and estimate rate of spread of the infestation. It is also important to extend the inventory efforts and any other assessments undertaken to include the PA and the ER.

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Research in other regions suggests that the best preventative measures when dealing with the western pine beetle are incorporating fire to maintain the ecosystems and using mechanical methods to maintain a forest structure of well spaced, healthy trees (J. Trewhitt, Pers. comm.). The current restoration and fuel management activities may therefore have the additional impact of slowing the spread of western pine beetle. Regardless, initiating a review at this time of existing and potential management options and the impacts these different options could have on the animal, reptile and plant species of the area will allow for quick selection of the best management practices if the need arises.

5.2 Secondary Issues and Inventories

5.2.1 Roads and Right-of-ways Cosens Bay Road began as a cart track used by Coldstream Ranch for cattle operations. Coldstream Ranch granted cabin owners access to the track during the 1960s; the road was gated and each cabin owner had a key. When Kal Park was established in 1975 BC Parks continued overland access privileges for cabin owners. In the mid 1980s the importance of conservation of the Cosens Bay grasslands was realized and a public advisory committee report recommended phasing out Cosens Bay Road and the hydro transmission line through the park (Public Advisory Committee 1984). BC Parks responded by closing the road to public access in 1992. Cabin owners took this decision to the Supreme Court of British Columbia and had Cosens Bay Road declared public in 1996. There is no longer a locked gate on the road and improvements and upgrading were completed as recently as 2005. The use of Cosens Bay Road has steadily increased since its declaration as public and is raised as an issue of concern in most reports. Some of the issues surrounding Cosens Bay Road include: ƒ Increased traffic ƒ Spread of invasive plants within park and introduction of new species from outside of park ƒ Increased mortality of snake and amphibian species ƒ Unauthorized off road activities, particularly in grassland areas

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ƒ Potential for continued widening of road from use and maintenance

5.2.1.1 Recommended Inventories and Assessments It is important to determine if vehicle traffic is having an impact on species through disturbance or increased mortality. Snakes and turtles will often bask on road surfaces and because they can not quickly move out of the way of traffic are highly susceptible to being run over. Amphibians can also be negatively influenced where roads pass close to wetland areas. Monitoring both species populations and mortality over time will give managers a better idea of road impacts. If populations appear to decline controls may need to be put in place.

For protection of park resources, closure of Cosens Bay Road to the general public would be ideal. This is not likely to happen so active management is necessary. To prevent further widening of the road, the driving surface needs to be clearly defined and contained. Ditches, rocks and fencing are some of the tools available. A well-defined road surface has many benefits. It could decrease the spread of weeds by preventing vehicles from coming in direct contact with vegetation on the sides of the road and reduce the occurrences of off-road driving.

5.2.2 Recreation Use Kal Park and the PA provide opportunities for wildland and lakeshore oriented recreation. Trail oriented sports, rock climbing and wildlife viewing are all possible in the core of Kal Park or PA. Both areas contain an extensive trail network used by walkers, hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. Developed and undeveloped beach sites are used for swimming, boating, fishing and camping. The activities of greatest concern in these areas are mountain biking, rock climbing and marine site camping. A new activity occurring in Kal Park that may be of concern in the future is geocaching.

Mountain bike use in Vernon is not well distributed; Kal Park is one of the few locations to contain public wildland “single-track” trails. Fast moving mountain bikers can startle wildlife and run over rattlesnakes on occasion. Bikers also act as vectors for invasive plant seeds because of the distance that can be covered during an outing and the narrow

L. Tedesco Page 27 March 2006 State of the Parks Analysis: Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and Protected Area and Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve width of many of the trails. When trails are wet and mucky, particularly during spring, mountain bikes can cause deep ruts. During the dry dusty season they contribute to erosion of trails on side slopes or in steep ground.

Rock climbers have been visiting and developing the north end of Cougar Canyon for more than ten years. The designation of Cosens Bay Road as public means access to the area, more than 4 km from the Cosens Bay parking lot, has become easier and visitation has increased. A trailcounter was placed on the trail into the climbing area in the spring of 2005. When it was removed seven months later an estimated 1000 people had visited the area for either rock climbing or hiking (unpublished report). The concern to park managers is that various aspects of climbing, such as trail development and route scrubbing, may be having impacts on ecosystem components. The blue-listed canyon wren has been seen in this area and the nesting potential for peregrine or prairie falcon is high. Cliffs also provide unique habitats and microclimates for plants, insects and small mammals.

Kal Park and the PA protect more than 10 km of lakeshore including numerous small beaches and landing sites. Within the PA about six of these sites see regular unmanaged day and overnight use (unpublished report). The values of these transitional lakeshore habitats have not been fully assessed and impacts from camping on unhardened sites and boats anchoring offshore are likely. Beach ecosystems are also becoming increasingly rare and damaged and have significant value for insects like dragonflies and tiger beetles (O. Dyer, Pers. comm.). The kokanee salmon that are known to spawn along the shore could also be impacted by human use.

Geocaching is a sport for GPS enthusiasts, where someone places a “cache” at a location, register its location with a geocaching website, and other people go find it. Geocaching began in 2000 when the select availability signal degradation was removed from GPS worldwide (www.geocaching.com). There are 16 or 17 geocaches in Kal Park at this time, all off trails and some potentially in sensitive areas.

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5.2.2.1 Recommended Inventories and Assessments Over the past five years an effort has been made to accurately map all trails within Kal Park and the PA. With the completion of the SEI mapping park managers will have a valuable tool for identifying which trails pose the greatest threats to species and ecosystems of concern. Continued co-operative efforts, rider education and selective trail closures will greatly decrease the impacts of mountain bikers on Kal Park and the PA. Some individuals feel that more extensive trail closure and restrictions are required in order to fully protect the grasslands and wildlife; this is something that will need to be addressed by managers in the near future.

A more detailed inventory of use levels within Cougar Canyon climbing area is required. Park staff may need to conduct a detailed visitor survey and will likely need to work with the local climbing club to determine intensity of use and development. It will also be necessary to identify, in detail, species occurrence, species locations, activities carried out and habitat requirements in order to direct management decisions.

Knowledge and inventory of shoreline area values are clearly inadequate at this time. Baseline inventory of both the marine components and shoreline terrestrial values needs to be completed and then monitored to determine areas being impacted by use. The level of camping and day-use occurring at the undesignated unhardened sites will also need to be monitored.

Because geocaching is so new there is very little know about the potential impacts it may have on an area, particularly the grasslands and wetland areas. As some point in the future inventories of geocache locations, frequency of placement by area and level of visitation may be required to determine possible impacts and necessity for management actions.

5.2.3 Trail and Facility Development Every trail and facility developed within Kal Park and the PA has some level of impact on species and the landscape. The goal is to keep development to a minimum or to select

L. Tedesco Page 29 March 2006 State of the Parks Analysis: Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and Protected Area and Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve the least sensitive areas for development. Park use almost doubled between the late 1980s and late 1990s, resulting in demands for additional facilities and increased concerns of potential overuse (Clarke 1998). There are two areas identified during the interview process as being of special concern, the intact Idaho fescue grassland on top of Rattlesnake Hill, that was identified by MOF, and Bear Valley. The conservation of these areas should be considered a very high priority for protection when reviewing existing trails and facilities or planning new developments.

Many of Kal Parks’ trails, such as Coldstream, and Cosens Bay, have been designed and constructed by BC Parks in a way that provides for recreation while protecting conservation values. Various users have constructed other trails, such as those in the southeast portion of the park, east of Coldstream Creek, without ministry approval. Mountain bikers are the user group to most frequently establish new trails. Most of the interviewees and documents available commented on the growing number of mountain bikers using the park and the development of unauthorized trails. These trails are generally poorly planned and have resulted in heavy erosion of steep hillsides and unstable side-slopes and damage to sensitive grasslands.

At this time, facility development is limited to trails, pit toilets, parking lots, information kiosks, viewpoint benches and picnic tables. With increased visitation, there have been some demands for the development of additional or expanded facilities. Several times in the past the development of interpretive facilities at the Cosens Bay lagoon have been discussed. All of the park wetland areas are extremely sensitive to human disturbance and have a high potential for rare and endangered species to be present. These areas should not be developed. Grassland areas should also be protected from further development because of the fragility of grassland ecosystems, lack of representation in the province and existing invasive plant problem.

There is also a significant concern surrounding the black cottonwoods at Cosens Bay beach and day-use area. These trees are critical for Lewis’s woodpeckers and western screech-owl (O. Dyer, Pers. comm.). Cottonwoods experience high levels of natural rot

L. Tedesco Page 30 March 2006 State of the Parks Analysis: Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and Protected Area and Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve making the upper branches susceptible to breakage. Concern over public safety at the beach area puts pressure on managers to remove danger trees. Removal would likely have a significant negative impact on the threatened species mentioned above.

5.2.3.1 Recommended Inventories and Assessments As with recreation use, the SEI mapping will be a valuable tool for determining what existing trails and facilities may be poorly located and having an unacceptable level of impact. Park staff is also actively working with the North Okanagan Cycling Society to address issues like unauthorized trail development within park boundaries.

SEI mapping will also be important if/when park managers consider the need for new facilities or services. Existing trails and facilities should be reviewed to ensure that the ecosystems around them are protected from human use; rustic fencing prevents people from venturing off designated trails and interpretive signage educates users of park values.

No inventory or assessment is required of the black cottonwood stands; their value and importance is well known. The lack of natural regeneration of this stand is something that needs to be looked at if managers want to maintain the habitat values in the long-term. Cottonwood growth requires relatively specific moisture patterns that may have been disrupted in the area because of damming of Red Hawthorn Creek and water control mechanism on Kalamalka Lake. Further research into this issue may be necessary in the future.

5.3 Tertiary Issues and Inventories

5.3.1 Urbanization and Public Attitudes Many of BC’s small towns are experiencing a wave of growth and development. Vernon and the surrounding area are no different. In many parts of Vernon, the areas that people used to use for recreation have been developed and a similar replacement area has not been established. Combine this with a rising population and it is evident why Kal Park and the PA are experiencing an increase in use year-round.

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The urban-interface zone along the north boundary of the park and adjacent the cabin owner private properties south of Cosens Bay are also of some concern. The wildfire risk has started to be addressed but other issues include composting and wildlife-human interactions. Some residents dump grass and shrub clippings into Kal Park further contributing to the spread of exotic species. There is also some pressure for increased management of black bear, deer and cougar because they can venture into residential areas and orchards.

Kal Park and the PA are appreciated by all that visit the North Okanagan Valley. Even those people who never set foot in the park enjoy the visual qualities of these areas. Attitudes related to the park roles and management can vary widely. Some people feel the value of Kal Park and the PA is the recreation opportunities provided, while other people feel that the value of protecting the natural grasslands is an important role (Clarke 1998). Regardless, members of the public can have very strong opinions regarding management of the park and its resources and hold ministry staff accountable for all that takes place.

Public involvement and consultation is an important step in most management decisions and can drastically influence actions and outcomes. Some contentious decisions that have been made for Kal Park and the PA in recent years include the use of herbicide sprays for weed control and tree removal and pile burning for grassland restoration and fuel reduction activities.

5.3.1.1 Recommended Inventories and Assessments The best tool for dealing with the impacts of both of these issues will likely be education. A joint effort to increase public awareness and knowledge could be undertaken between BC Parks, Conservation Officers, the District of Coldstream and City of Vernon. Volunteers groups like the North Okanagan Naturalists’ Club and Friends of Kalamalka Lake Park Society could assist in planning and delivery of these programs. Acquisition of additional natural parkland in the Vernon area, either at the provincial or regional level,

L. Tedesco Page 32 March 2006 State of the Parks Analysis: Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and Protected Area and Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve would help relieve some of the pressures on Kal Park and the PA that have resulted from urbanization.

5.3.2 Past and Future Issues The previous use of cattle to control fuel loads and the possible impacts of global warming are issues that were mentioned but can not be controlled by managers.

Although cattle grazing is no longer an issue in the park and protected areas, it is important to recall their historical use when considering threats to conservation values and future management activities. Following the establishment of Kal Park and into the 1980s, cattle grazing was permitted in certain areas to control fuel build up and fire hazard (Deverney 1984). Park managers and the public eventually realized that the small benefit gained towards fire related issues was not great enough to balance out the damage occurring to the grasslands and riparian areas. The damaged areas, including Cosens Bay lagoon, Foxtail Pond and the cattle pond, have almost fully recovered now.

Climate change is still subject to debate, but in our naturally dry environment, the potential for even more severe drought conditions could have a damaging effect on wetland areas. It is impossible to know how climate change could alter what we consider to be natural processes and ecosystems. It is not possible to control the impacts of climate change but it is an issue that should be taken into consideration in the future.

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Table 2. Prioritized list of inventories recommended by interviewees and documents.

WORK REQUIRED KAL PA ER High Priority Sensitive Ecosystem Inventory mapping 9 9 9 Wetlands inventory (amphibians, insects, plants) 9 2 9 Invasive plant inventory with focus on identifying intact areas 9 9 9 Climbing area assessment (species, habitats, level of use, impacts) 2 9 2 Western pine beetle monitoring and modeling 9 9 9 Rare plant and animal inventory and habitat mapping (suspected species, past species) 9 9 9 Road impact assessment (species mortality, unauthorized use, weed dispersal, widening over time) 9 2 2 Moderate Priority Ecosystem restoration effectiveness monitoring 9 2 2 Grassland range assessment 9 2 2 Mountain biking impact assessment (wildlife disturbance, trail damage, trail development) 9 9 2 Reptile population monitoring (distribution, change over time) 9 2 9 Shoreline inventory (amphibians and insects, human use impacts, transitional zone values) 9 9 2 Low Priority Geocaching inventory and impact assessment 9 9 9 Public education program development 9 9 9 Trail design and facility review 9 9 2

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6 MATRICES The BC Parks Interaction Matrix is used as a coarse filter to determine where efforts and resources are most required. It compares twelve general categories the encompass most of the factors and issues associated with parks and protected areas (Table 3). I also developed a fine filter matrix based on the specific values and issues identified for Kal Park, the PA and the ER (Table 4).

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Table 3. BC Parks Interaction Matrix. Significance of interactions is ranked as low (L), moderate (M), high (H) or very high (VH). UK indicates an interaction is unknown but possible. A blank square indicates the interaction is not applicable. Primary “other use” is education. All entries rated high or very high have a brief discussion following the table.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Vege- Wild- Fish/ Fire Forest Exotic Water Wilder- Recrea- Other Adjact. Road tation life Aquatic Health Species Quality ness tion Uses Uses 1 M L H H VH L L M L M VH Vege- tation 2 L M M M L L H L M H Wild- life 3 UK UK M L M M Fish/ Aquatic 4 H H M M L H M Fire

5 L L L L L L Forest Health 6 UK VH M M VH Exotic Species 7 UK L M Water Quality 8 M L M M Wilder- ness 9 M M Recrea- tion 10 L L Other Uses 11 Adjact. Uses 12 Road

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ƒ 4 (column), 1 (row): fire suppression threatens health of grasslands, high risk for a high intensity fire to occur and damage plant communities ƒ 5, 1: current western pine beetle infestation impacting ponderosa pine stands by increasing tree mortality ƒ 5, 4: increased volume of dead timber increases fire hazard risk, as dead trees fall ladder fuels will also increase ƒ 6, 1: invasive plants are severely impacting health of native grasses ƒ 6, 4: unknown response of invasive plants to fire preventing the use of prescribed fire as a management tool, fire suppression decreased health of native grassland making it easier for exotics to establish ƒ 9, 2: human recreation and off-leash dogs disturb wildlife by passing near them and leaving behind smells, human-wildlife interactions can result in the termination of animals considered to be a "problem" ƒ 9, 6: humans recreating and dogs off leash act as vectors for invasive plants, spreading them to other areas of the park ƒ 11, 4: Kal Park north boundary an urban-interface zone, fire in the park could threaten health and safety of neighboring residents and property ƒ 12, 1: road widening encroaches on plant and forest resources, unauthorized access gained from public road damages grasslands ƒ 12, 2: vehicle traffic disturbs wildlife and may result in animal mortality ƒ 12, 6: vehicles act as vectors for invasive plants, spreading them to other areas of the park

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Table 4. Fine filter interaction matrix for identified conservation values and issues. Significance of interactions is ranked as low (L), moderate (M), high (H) or very high (VH). UK indicates an interaction is unknown but possible. A blank square indicates the interaction is not applicable.

VALUES VALUES ISSUES

Insect Roads/ Fire Rec Urbaniza Public Invasive Forest Fuel infesta- Rec use right of suppres- devel’t -tion attitudes plants ingrowth buildup tion ways sion

Eco- sections L VH M VH M M VH VH H H

Biogeo- climatic H M M L L M L M H H

Areas of sp. M H M M M L UK L M L Concern Lake fore- H M H M shore

Wet- lands M L M L L UK L

Insects L L L L

Reptiles M M UK L M UK M UK UK

Amphib- ians L L UK L L UK

Birds M M M UK L L UK UK UK UK

Mam- mals M M M M M M L UK UK UK

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7 INFORMATION GAPS All of the additional inventories and assessments identified in the previous section represent knowledge gaps at some level. Lack of knowledge in some areas has a greater potential to impact conservation values than lack of knowledge in others.

7.1 Rare and Endangered Species and Habitats All of the park areas require further assessment of presence of significant species and habitats. Many species and habitats have been referenced as being present in the past but this information has not been recently verified or further investigation of reports were never made. Identifying intact areas of grassland habitat is very important. Future species inventories should also make the effort to determine the number of individuals present, core habitat for the species, what life stage(s) a species is using the area for and how critical the habitat elements are. From this information managers will be able to make better decision regarding timing and requirements of restoration activities, trail closures or facilities development. Once a species or habitat is identified, annual monitoring will provide information on change over time and effectiveness of management decision if any were made. At this stage very little is known about the impacts of invasive plants on the wildlife species that utilize those plant communities. Snakes, ground nesting birds and small mammals are the species most likely to be impacted. Addressing this information gap is of high priority.

7.2 Fire Suppression and Related Issues As is evident from Table 4, the impacts of fire suppression, forest ingrowth and fuel build-up on the wildlife species that use forest habitats is unclear. Cavity-nesting birds, passerines, deer, bear and mustelids are the forest species most likely to be affected by fire suppression and its related issues. In the grassland areas the same species that would be impacted by invasive plants could also be impacted by fire related issues. A review of existing literature on the subject may be sufficient to fill this knowledge gap. Addressing this information gap should be a high priority.

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7.3 Cosens Bay Road Cosens Bay Road has been open to the public for approximately ten years. In this time only one report has been written that reviews road issues (Summit Environmental Consulting Ltd. 2001). No baseline inventories of traffic volumes, animal mortality or wildlife disturbance were completed when the road was opened in 1996 so there is no way to tell if the road has had any specific impacts. Development of the private subdivision is continuing; this will likely result in increased traffic volumes and pressure to maintain or upgrade Cosens Bay Road. It is important to conduct that baseline inventory now so park managers can identify specific conservation concerns and take action where necessary and have supporting data for decisions when requests for road upgrades arise. Addressing this information gap should be a high priority.

7.4 Species Inventories Ministry staff recognize the conservation values of some of the unique habitats found within the park and protected areas. In the past, general species inventories have been completed for the core areas of Kal Park and some areas of the ER. It is now important to focus on more specific areas such as the wetlands, lakeshore and cliffs. These small areas have a high potential to contain rare species or to be a critical habitat component to a life stage of a species. Addressing this information gap should be a moderate priority.

7.5 Prescribed Fire Prescribed fire was used in the late 1970s and once in 1987 to manage fuel loads and fire hazard (Lea et al. 1991, M. Martin 1997, Clarke 1998). The importance of the natural fire regime in grassland areas is well documented. Prescribed fire is one management tool available to mimic the natural fire cycle and restore grassland health. Lack of knowledge surrounding invasive plant responses to fire events is preventing managers from pursuing this option further at this time (J. Trewhitt, D. Cheverie, Pers. Comm.). Some research has been conducted in Oregon State and a statewide project on fire and fire surrogate treatments has recently been initiated in the USA. Preliminary results from the research in Oregon suggest that both fire severity and season of burn play important roles in native and invasive plant regrowth. The research also emphasizes the complexity of interactions

L. Tedesco Page 40 March 2006 State of the Parks Analysis: Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and Protected Area and Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve between seed availability, site conditions, fire intensity and operational conditions and the difficulty this introduces when trying to separate cause and effect (Thompson 2006).

If prescribed fire is a tool park managers would like to use, then research on this issue must be undertaken. Data may be available from other sources, including Canadian National Parks where prescribed fire is readily used and academic research. It may also be possible to conduct test plots within Kal Park itself. Addressing this information gap should be a moderate to high priority.

7.6 Kalamalka Lake Protected Area The PA a relatively new addition to the North Okanagan parks system and a limited amount of ecological inventory has been completed there. The proximity of the PA to Kal Park means it is often discussed as an extension of the park even though the level of knowledge of the area is much less. The habitats protected in the PA are very different from those found in Kal Park and the ER and may contain unidentified conservation values. If conservation values for special features are found to be limited, this area could be used to take some of the recreational pressure away from Kal Park. Addressing this information gap can be a lower priority.

7.7 Public Resources Two of the individuals I interviewed were members of the public and both had unique knowledge of the park and protected areas. Frequently in discussions and reports the names of members of the public or previous ministry staff arise as references and sources of knowledge. It is critical for parks to ensure that this knowledge has been captured. Addressing this information gap can be a lower priority.

8 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and Protected Area and Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve protect more than 3,700 ha combined, conserving three different forested ecosystems, one of the last remaining intact grasslands in the North Okanagan, unique wetland and cliff habitats and 10 km of lake foreshore. The diversity of habitats contained within this small area and the importance they have for resident and migrant

L. Tedesco Page 41 March 2006 State of the Parks Analysis: Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and Protected Area and Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve wildlife is undeniable. Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and Protected Area are also the most significant providers of wildland oriented recreation opportunities in the Vernon area and are hugely popular as summer beach and picnic destinations. The viewscapes protected by all three areas set a fantastic backdrop for the Vernon area and are appreciated by all those who pass through.

Many park visitors do not recognize the significance of the issues that are threatening the park and protected areas they enjoy so much. Based on the best information available at this time, invasive plants and the conservation of any remaining intact grassland areas is the issue of greatest concern. The varied impacts of fire suppression, which also relate to invasive plants and grassland conservation, also require further review. Human pressures on the park and protected areas from recreation use and Cosens Bay Road are also of significant concern and need to be addressed with both additional research and regulatory management actions.

This review also clearly indicates that there is still a range of inventories and assessments that need to be completed within the park and protected areas before managers will be able to identify all relevant conservation values and associated issues and threats. Of greatest importance is collecting more information on the presence and state of endangered species and habitats within the park and protected areas. Further research into the impacts of more than 100 years of fire suppression on the park and protected areas’ species and ecosystems is also required. It is not known how many different ecosystem components fire suppression has influenced. Lastly, the impact of Cosens Bay Road on a variety of conservation values needs to be clarified. Although road closure may not be an option, better management practices could be developed if more information was available.

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9 REFERENCES

AXYS Environmental Consulting Ltd. 2002. An Assessment of Protected Area Ecosystem Plan Pilot Projects. BC Minist. Water, Land and Air Protec., BC Parks Div. 96 pp.

Behler, J.L., and F.W. King. 1979. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians. Chanticleer Press, Inc. New York.

Blood, D.A. 1998. Townsend's Big-eared Bat. BC Minist. Environ., Lands and Parks, Wildl. Branch. 6pp.

Cannings, R.J. 1995a. Status of the Canyon Wren in British Columbia. BC Minist. Environ., Lands and Parks, Wildl. Branch. 16 pp. Bulletin B-75.

Cannings, R.J. 1995b. Status of the Grasshopper Sparrow in British Columbia. BC Minist. Environ., Lands and Parks, Wildl. Branch., Bull. B-77. 20pp.

Clarke, D. 1998. Kalamalka Lake Park Management Plan Background Document. Minsit. Environ., Lands and Parks, Okanagan Dist. 42 pp.

Cooper, J.M., C. Siddel, and G. Davidson. 1998. Status of the Lewis's Woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis) in British Columbia. BC Minist. Environ., Lands and Parks, Wildl. Branch. Working Report WR-91. 34pp.

Cooper, J.M., and S.M. Beauchesne. 2003. Status of the Peregrine Falcon in British Columbia. Rep. prepared for the Terrestrial Ecosystem Sci. Sect., BC Minist. Water, Land and Air Prot., Victoria. 15 March 2003.

Cooper, J.M., and S.M. Beauchesne. 2004. Status of the Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus) in British Columbia. BC Minist. Water, Land and Air Prot., Biodiversity Branch, Victoria, BC. Wildl. Bull. No. B-116.

Deverney, S.N. 1984. Fire hazard management plan for Kalamalka Lake Park. BC Minist. Lands, Parks and Housing, Parks and Outdoor Rec. Div. 15 pp.

Ember Research Services Ltd. 1998. Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park Fire Management Plant (draft). BC Minist. Water, Land and Air Protec., BC Parks Div. 19 pp.

Garcia, P.F.J., S.A. Rasheed, and S.L. Hoylroyd. 1995. Status of the Spotted Bat in British Columbia. B.C. Minist. Environ., Lands and Parks, Wildl. Branch. Working Rep. WR-75. 32pp.

Grasslands Conservation Council of British Columbia. 2004. BC Grasslands Mapping Project: A Conservation Risk Assessment. Grasslands Conservation Council of British Columbia. 108 pp.

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Kangasniemi, B.J., and P.D. Warrington. 1983. Cosens Bay Lagoon Study Kalamalka Lake Park. BC Minist. Environ., Water Mgt. Branch.

Lea, E.C., D.A. Demarchi, and R.E. Maxwell. 1991. Ecological Resources of Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park (Draft). BC Minist. Environ., Wildl. Branch.

Lloyd, D., K. Angrove, G. Hope, and C. Thompson. 1990. A Guide to Site Identification and Interpretation for the Kamloops Forest Region: Part 1 and 2. BC Minist. For., Research Section. Land Mgt. Handbook no. 23. 192pp.

Macartney, M. 1994. 1994 Survey of Northern Pacific Rattlesnake Populations in Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park. BC Minist. Environ., Lands and Parks, BC Parks Southern Interior Region. 15 pp.

MacKenzie, K. 2005. Kalamalka Lake Ecosystem Restoration Project Monitoring Plot Report. BC Minist. Environ., BC Parks Okanagan District. 7pp.

Martin. M. 1997. Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park: An Appraisal of Change. North Okanagan Naturalists’ Club. 6 pp.

Martin, M. 1999. Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve Annual Report. North Okanagan Naturalists’ Club. 4 pp.

Ministry of Forests/Canadian Forest Service. 2001. Field Guide to Forest Damage in BC, 2nd Edition. www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfp/publications/00198/WPB.htm. Accessed March 22, 2006.

Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection. 2004. Accounts and Measures for Managing Identified Wildlife. Version 2004. Biodiversity Branch, Identified Wildlife Management Strategy, Victoria, BC

Nagorsen, D.W., and R.M. Brigham. 1993. Bats of British Columbia. UBC Press, Vancouver, BC.

Nagorsen, D.W. 1995. Status of the Western Harvest Mouse in British Columbia. BC Minist. Environ., Lands and Parks, Wildl. Branch. Working Rep. WR-71. 32pp.

North Okanagan Naturalists’ Club. 1986. A guide to the natural history of Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park. Wayside Press, Vernon, BC.

Public Advisory Committee. 1984. Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park: the report of the Public Advisory Committee to the Minister of Lands, Parks and Housing. Parks and Outdoor Recreation Division. 40 pp.

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Scheer, R.D. 1993. Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park Resource Management Plan. BC Minst. Environ., Southern Interior Region. 17pp.

Summit Environmental Consulting. 2001. Cosens Bay Road environmental impact assessment: Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park. BC Minist. Trans. And Hwys. 58 pp. Thompson, Jonathan. 2006. Science Findings. United States Department of Agriculture, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Issue 91. 6 pp. van Woudenberg, A.M. 1999. Status of the Flammulated Owl in British Columbia. BC Minist. Environ., Lands and Parks, Wildl. Branch. Working Rep. WR-95. 48pp.

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APPENDIX A List of Interviewees and Interview Questions

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Interviewees:

ƒ Orville Dyer, Fish and Wildlife Science and Allocation Section Wildlife Biologist ƒ Margaret Hubble, North Okanagan Naturalists’ Club Member ƒ Crystal Klym, Environmental Stewardship Division Resource Officer ƒ Malcolm Martin, North Okanagan Naturalists’ Club Member ƒ Judy Millar, Environmental Stewardship Division Ecosystem Biologist ƒ John Trewhitt, Environmental Stewardship Division BC Parks North Okanagan Area Supervisor

Interview Questions: 1. In the last year (2005) how often would you say that you have visited Kalamalka lake Provincial Park, the Protected area or the Ecological reserve (public access is not permitted in the eco reserve so low likelihood of visitations)

2. Are you most familiar with Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park, The Protected Area, or Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve ( Please rank your familiarity from greatest to least).

3. Over the period of time that you have been visiting Kal Park, the Protected Area, and or Cougar Canyon Ecological Reserve have there been changes that you have noted? (changes to the ecology of the area) Can you estimate the degree of change that has occurred?

4. In your opinion are there sensitive ecosystems represented within the boundaries of Kal Lake Provincial Park, the Protected Area, or Ecological reserve. Could you please name/ describe the ecosystems of concern.

5. Do you feel that these ecosystems are being negatively influenced by interactions between ecosystem components, or by direct or indirect human related activities? Please describe the nature of the influence and how extensive you believe it to be.

6. Are you aware of sensitive species present within the boundaries of the park, Protected Area, or Ecological reserve. Could you please name the species of concern. (could be plant or animal)

7. Do you feel that these species are being negatively influenced by interactions between ecosystem components or, by direct or indirect human related activities? Please describe the nature of the influence and how extensive you believe it to be.

8. Do you feel that there are other conservation values found within either Kalamalka Provincial Park, the Protected Area, and or the Ecological Reserve that

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have not been captured by either questions 4 or 6. (This could be a specific feature)

9. Do you feel that there is an adequate level of inventory existing for Kal Park, the Protected Area and the Ecological Reserve? If no, can you please comment on the type of inventory you feel is lacking. Please comment on whether the inventory works is needed for the entire area, or specific areas i.e. Kal Park but not the Eco reserve.

10. Of the issues you have noted as concerns how would you rank them in order importance; i.e. requires immediate attention, should be monitored, worthy of note but not of concern at this point. Could you please provide some rational for your ranking. (this is meant to assist in determining a priority for action)

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