Have your say: Help shape the Central Okanagan Regional Climate Resilience Strategy

Wildfire and smoke, extreme heat, flooding and drought are affecting communities across the Central Okanagan, with impacts expected to increase in the years ahead.

In response, the Regional District of the Central Okanagan (RDCO) is inviting residents to help guide the development of a Regional Climate Resilience Strategy (RCRS) that will identify practical actions to reduce risks and strengthen community preparedness.

“Wildfires, heat and flooding do not stop at municipal boundaries,” said Mariah VanZerr, regional planning manager. “These are regional challenges that require a regional response. This strategy will help us understand shared risks, coordinate solutions and work together to proactively protect our communities. Hearing directly from residents and organizations is a key part of that work.”

Public engagement runs from Feb. 23 to March 20. Residents can visit yoursay.rdco.com/RCRS to learn more, complete a short online survey and share how climate-related events have impacted their lives and ides for actions they would like to see prioritized. Printed surveys are also available at the RDCO administrative office, 1450 KLO Rd., Kelowna or call 250-469-6227.

The strategy will assess climate-related hazards and risks across the Central Okanagan and identify actions to help communities adapt to changing conditions. The work will also support the RDCO’s Hazard Risk and Vulnerability Assessment for Electoral Areas East and West, which identifies hazards that may cause an emergency, and the potential consequences. Understanding this helps the RDCO establish priorities, plans and strategies to prevent or reduce the risk. 

The RCRS project is informed between the RDCO, neighbouring local governments and Indigenous communities, service providers and community organizations.

The Regional Climate Resilience Strategy is scheduled to be complete in summer 2026.

For more information or to participate, visit yoursay.rdco.com/RCRS.