iN NUMBERS: The progress on the fight against climate change in Thompson-Okanagan

Here is your regularly scheduled reminder that the environment is falling apart, with a dose of data on what we’re collectively trying to do to help in the Thompson-Okanagan region. It’s not all doom and gloom as governments, non-profits and even average folks are making a difference. These are the numbers: 2.2: Billion dollars spent by the provincial government on climate initiatives in the 2023-2024 fiscal year. 350,000: Dollars for water conservation projects through the Okanagan Basin Water Board this year. 30: Badgers are left in the Okanagan, so environmental groups are partnering with the government to save them. 25: Regional District of Central Okanagan parks were recognized as part of Canada's national conservation network. 80: Acres donated by an anonymous landowner were recently turned into a private conservation covenant in North Okanagan. 43: Wildlife act charges and 10 criminal charges were filed against a group of influencer poachers in the Southern Interior earlier this year. 6,041: Hectares of the Central Okanagan are considered sensitive ecosystems, the equivalent of 16,550 football fields. 25: Per cent of endangered vertebrates in Canada live in the Southern Interior. 3: Endangered butterfly species in the Okanagan-Similkameen region that are being defended by the Okanagan Siilkamen Stweardship Society. 1.5: Million dollars in the environment planning and zoning budgeted this year by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District. To contact a reporter for this story, email Jesse Tomas mailto:jtomas@infonews.ca  or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor mailto:news@infonews.ca . You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom mailto:tips@infonews.ca  and be entered to win a monthly prize draw. Find our Journalism Ethics policy here. https://infotel.ca/newsitem/code-of-ethics/it106782 We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here https://infotel.ca/newsletter .