Supporting Arts and Culture In Osoyoos and Surrounding Areas

On the southern edge of British Columbia's Okanagan Valley lies one of Canada's most endangered ecosystems, the semi-arid antelope-brush shrub-steppe. In the 1990s, a group of local citizens came together to protect this disappearing landscape. Together they opened the Osoyoos Desert Centre, a 67-acre interpretive site where visitors explore our unique desert habitat through guided or self-guided tours along a 1.5 km accessible boardwalk, discover hands-on exhibits in the interpretive building, wander through the native plant garden, or attend Nature Talks and interactive workshops. Every experience invites visitors to discover the beauty of this rare and extraordinary landscape and discover why it's worth protecting for future generations.

Operating on the traditional, unceded territory of the Syilx Nation, the Centre bridges the gap between conservation and community. Because less than 9% of this unique habitat remains undisturbed, the facility focuses heavily on habitat restoration, ecological research, and public education.

Visitor Experience

The Centre serves as a vital educational hub for the public, tour groups, and school students, featuring:

A 1.5 km Elevated Boardwalk: Guided or self-guided tours exploring the unique desert ecology.

Indoor Interpretive Building: Hands-on displays and educational exhibits.

Native Plant Demonstration Garden: Showcasing sustainable landscaping styles.

Managed by a volunteer Board of Directors and a dedicated staff, the Osoyoos Desert Centre relies on community support to preserve this vital ecological corridor and inspire active concern for healthy ecosystems.

See more on their website