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Owls Return: First Nation's Decade of Recovery Success
24 Apr
Summary
- Upper Nicola Band initiated a successful burrowing owl recovery program.
- Over 125 wild-born fledglings have been produced since 2016.
- The program has revitalized a rare grassland ecosystem in B.C.
A decade ago, the Upper Nicola Band embarked on a vital conservation mission to reintroduce burrowing owls to the Nicola Valley. This Sylix community released five pairs and a single owl into grassland burrows on their Douglas Lake reserve, marking the start of an impactful recovery program.
The program, initiated in 2016, works in collaboration with the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society of B.C. Their efforts have focused on building and maintaining nesting burrows, crucial for the survival of these underground-dwelling birds.
As of 2026, the reintroduction site has become a highly productive breeding ground for burrowing owls in British Columbia. The captive-raised owls have successfully produced a total of 125 wild-born fledglings, with both captive and wild-born owls returning annually to breed.
This initiative not only aids in species recovery but also strengthens Syilx knowledge of ecologically significant wildlife and revitalizes a rare grassland habitat. The success is evident with the owls' return to landscapes where they hadn't been seen for decades.
