We Recommend
Air Water Earth Publications has drawn knowledge and references from a variety of sources.
We can't capture all of it for you on this website, so we'd like to provide links to books and other websites to investigate. Behind these links is information on businesses, societies and books you may want to know more about, as well as activities, resources and ideas. We'll be adding these onto this site gradually, so we hope you'll visit our Air Water Earth website again.
Books
- Plants of Southern Interior British Columbia, by Parish, Couper and Lloyd, published by Lone Pine
- Okanagan Trips and Trails, by Judie Steeves and Murphy Shewchuk, published by Fitzhenry & Whiteside
- Landscapes of the Interior: Re-Explorations of Nature and the Human Spirit, by Don Gayton, New Society Publishers
- Mammals of British Columbia, by Eder and Prattie
Published by Lone Pine
- Cultivating the Wild: gardening with native plants of British Columbia's Southern Interior and Eastern Washington. pub. Nature Guides BC, Delta: 104 pp. by Eva Durance, available by contacting the author directly:
Eva Durance, 1120 Jonathan Dr., Penticton, BC V2A 8Z6
- Birds of Interior BC and the Rockies, by Richard Cannings, published by Heritage House, $19.95. Available from Mosaic Books. To be released in August 2009.
Other Guides and Information
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These are compact, full colour books that contain excellent detailed maps, phone listings and locations for a host of neighbourhoods, businesses and resources in the Okanagan.
There are lists of wineries, real estate developments, golf courses, parks, art galleries, restaurants, accommodations and shopping places. These handy and easy to carry books are a lifesaver for anyone new to or visiting the Okanagan Valley, and we recommend them to everyone we meet.
There are four main publications: a colourful map that shows amenities and parks all over the valley, and three guide books: for Kelowna, for West Kelowna/Westbank & Peachland, and for Vernon, BC.
There's much to see and do in each of these distinctly different communities - and the guide/map books from Ok Map Guides are absolutely FREE.
There's also an associated visitor's guide and map book for Big White Mountain.
For more information about these guides or how to advertise in them, visit www.okmapguides.com or call 250-763-4848.
Websites to Visit
- Regional District of Central Okanagan: For parks, trails and waste management information, bylaws re.dogs, and much more: www.regionaldistrict.com
- Naturescape BC:
phone Naturescape BC at the Habitat Conservation Fund offices, at 1-800-387-9853, extension #5, or visit the website: www.hctf.ca/nature.htm.
Support Naturescape and order your own Okanagan book to create haven in your own yard.
- Invasive Plant Council website: provides a map for the entire province with contact details, and it is regularly updated. Go to: http://www.invasiveplantcouncilbc.ca/
- Experience Westbank: see outdoor sections, including winter and canoeing: www.ExperienceWestbank.com
- Crystal Mountain Resort: , top of Glenrosa Rd,. Westside,
Downhill skiing and snowboarding, snowshoe trails and tours www.crystalresort.com
- Ministry of Environment, Provincial: fishing and hunting licenses and general information
www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw
- Bear Aware: tips on discouraging bears from visiting your home-
http://www.bearaware.bc.ca/
- Bears Out There: information on avoiding conflicts with bears when you’re hiking: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wld/documents/bearwld.htm
- Wild BC:
Education, information and initiatives for those who care about the wild in BC:
www.wildbc.org or call toll free to 1-800-387-9853. ext.4
- Ministry of Environment, Canada:
www.ec.gc.ca
- City of Kelowna website: look for parks and places to go with your dog www.kelowna.ca
- Grasslands Conservation Council of BC: Did you know that the Okanagan Valley is one of just eight major grasslands areas in British Columbia ? As vital and intriging as its forests and sheltering rare birds and animals, "the grasslands of BC are as unique, varied and beautiful as the province itself." Visit the informative website for the Grasslands Conservation Council of BC to learn about the value of grasslands and the creatures that depend on them. www.bcgrasslands.org
- Apex Mountain Resort
Another ski hill and resort graced with gorgeous powder snow and even snow-making equipment, also featuring a one kilometre ice skating loop through the forest.
Website www.apexresort.com, toll free phone: 1-877-777-2739.
Societies, Clubs and Associations
- Telemark Cross-country Ski Club: Glenrosa Rd., Westside.
Active, long-running club with cross-country ski and snowshoe trails with breathtaking views and varied terrain
http://telemarkx-c.com Phone : 768-1494
- Nordic Cross Country Ski Club: a fantastic facility with groomed cross country ski trails in winter, as well as many kilometres of snowshoe trails, and great hiking in summer.
website: www.kelownanordic.com or phone 250-764-4501
- Central Okanagan Naturalists Club: “CONC”
Tours, bird-watching, hikes and activities throughout Okanagan Valley- including the Westside- an amazing group that welcomes new members and works to
“keep the outdoors worth knowing.”
http://conc.silk.net
- Kelowna Canoe and Kayaking Club: “KCKC” :
Paddling activities, trips and advice for Central Okanagan, including the Westside, meetings in Kelowna
http://business.silk.net/kckc/
- Central Okanagan Hiking Club:
Hiking and camping all around the Okanagan region.
Website: www.hikekelowna.org
- Friends of Knox Mountain Park Society: A group of people dedicated to the protection of the beautiful and fragile grasslands and forest on Knox Mountain. Visit the website at www.knoxmountainpark.com or email FKMP@telus.net
- Friends of the South Slopes Society
: The South Slopes of Kelowna are a fantastic area to explore by foot, horseback and mountain bike. The slopes have been swept by fire and sometimes assaulted by humans. This group works to protect the trails and natural assets of this sprawling area. Website: www.foss-kelowna.org, and email info@foss-kelowna.org
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Nickel Plate Cross Country Ski Club: A cross country ski club in the southern Okanagan Valley near Apex Mountain Resort website for complete information: www.nickelplatenordic.org
Outdoor Exploration Professionals
- North Okanagan, Outdoor Discoveries with Naturalist Roseanne van Ee: Year round hikes and tours by foot, snowshoe and horse-drawn sleigh on the slopes of Silver Star Mountain and other natural areas around Vernon. Website: www.outdoordiscoveries.com,
or phone: 250-545-7446
- South Okanagan, Dino Guiurissevich: Guided snowshoe tours and three-season hikes in the Apex Mountain and Nickel Plate areas near Penticton in the South Okanagan.
Call Dino at 250-494-0669, residence, or on his cell phone: 250-809-1165
Paddling Opportunities – rentals
Kayak rentals, Summerland: Rentals for paddle boats and kayaks at Summerland Waterfront Resort. Website: www.swrboatrentals.com, or phone 250-494-8180
Kayak and winter sport rentals, Kelowna: Sports Rent on Pandosy Street in Kelowna rents a wide variety of outdoor equipment, from small kayaks to snowboarding, camping and snowshoeing supplies. Website: www.sportsrentkelowna.com
Phone: 250-861-5699
Kayak rentals, West Kelowna: Okanagan Wakeboard School and Rentals rents kayaks at the Cove Lakeside Resort. Find them at www.covelakesideresort under Marina, Okanagan Wakeboard or call 250-979-8789.
Snowshoe Rentals
Ask at your favourite outdoor store, cross-country ski club, downhill ski resort or sports rental shop.
Among the long-time businesses that rent snowshoes are Outbound Cycle and Board in West Kelowna, Outdoor Adventure Gear or Sports Rent in Kelowna, and Valhalla Pure Outfitters in Vernon.
Dog Services
Canine Campus provides daytime supervision, training and recreation for dogs while their busy dog owners work, shop, run errands, attend functions or visit tourist attractions. While at the campus, dogs learn how to play with other dogs and increase their social skills. Many behaviour problems can be alleviated and owners will pick up a happy, content and well exercised dog.
Cottage Kennels is an owner-operated boarding kennel with the owner's residence on site. They are devoted to providing a caring, clean, safe and secure environment for clients' dogs. Indoors and out, Cottage Kennels’ entire facility is organized for your dog’s well-being, from the shock-absorbing layers of pea gravel in its securely fenced outdoor exercise pens to the careful selection of appropriate playmates. Stress reduction for each dog is key; Cottage Kennels provides your dog, large or small, with a home away from home while you are out of town.
And More
If you've ever wondered about commissioning an artist to do an original portrait of you or someone you love,
Joan Randall Holmes may have just the touch you're hoping for. Working in chalk pastels or oils, Joan works
to bring out the spirit and individuality in every person she portrays, whether that subject is an elder or an infant.
Visit www.joanrandallholmes.ca to see her work and find out how to get in touch.
Photographer extraordinaire Becky Myhre offers a selection of artistically rendered photos for your enjoyment and purchase. Her soulful landscapes, immaculately detailed botanical photography and charming animal portraits are perfectly suited to framing as inspirational décor. She shares her gallery and information on her business at
www.beckymyhre.com.
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Ok Map Guides