New growth takes root as volunteers restore Rose Valley Regional Park

Shovels in hand and seedlings at their feet, volunteers gathered in Rose Valley Regional Park this week to help restore areas damaged by the 2023 McDougall Creek wildfire. 

Community members joined the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) parks staff to plant more than 600 native trees in fire-affected areas. The work is part of ongoing efforts to restore forest cover, wildlife habitat and well-used recreational spaces. 

“It is great to see the community come together to support the continued recovery of Rose Valley Regional Park,” said Wayne Darlington, RDCO manager of parks capital planning and asset management. “This is a park people care deeply about, and it’s encouraging to see so many groups stepping up. Wildfire recovery takes time, and volunteers play an important role.” 

The effort began Friday with over 50 students from Rose Valley Elementary School, who took part in planting activities while learning how forests recover after wildfire. Over the school year, students will return weekly to water their seedlings and track their growth. 

By Saturday, the effort had expanded to include community organizations such as the Mountain Bikers of the Central Okanagan (MTBCO), the Young BC Greens from Okanagan College and residents. Volunteers planted hundreds of seedlings in priority reforestation areas. 

“We’re here because we love Rose Valley and feel lucky to play where we live,” said MTBCO volunteer Rod Brophy. “It was important for us to do our part to bring the park back to its glory days.” 

RDCO parks staff guided volunteers throughout the planting, focusing on areas where new trees will help stabilize soil, reduce erosion and support the return of native species. 

Majority of the trees planted were ponderosa pine grown from seeds collected locally 14 years ago. Concerned about mountain pine beetle impacts, RDCO staff collected and stored the seeds in the provincial seed bank over a decade ago. Over the past year, those seeds were grown into seedlings that have now been replanted in the park. 

Funding for the initiative came from Tree Canada’s National Greening Program, the Regional District of Central Okanagan and community fundraising led by Sovereign Cycle. 

Tree planting and restoration work will continue as part of RDCO’s long-term recovery efforts in Rose Valley Regional Park. To learn more visit Wildfire Recovery in Regional Parks.  

The Regional District of Central Okanagan offers more than 2,100 hectares of parkland including 86 kilometres of designated trails in 30 regional parks for visitors to explore. Visit rdco.com/parks to plan your next outing.