New Biosphere Commitment Program Member: BC Wildlife Park
Join TOTA in welcoming BC Wildlife Park to the Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Commitment Program.
BC Wildlife Park was founded by John Moelaert after he proposed that a wildlife attraction would be beneficial to Kamloops for both visitors and residents. In February of 1966, Molson Breweries donated 106 acres of land that was previously a hops farm for the creation of a wildlife park. In August of the same year, the first exhibits were open to the public. BC Wildlife Park is now an important community partner that works towards the conservation of species in British Columbia. They are home to 65 different species native to the province and nearly 200 animals in total, including bighorn sheep, Kermode bear and western painted turtles. The Park also partners with the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society to prevent the local extinction of burrowing owls; together, they are the largest and most successful breeders of the species in the world. They also partner with the Fawcett Family Wildlife Health Centre as a dedicated wildlife rehabilitation centre that annually accepts over 600 animals from all over BC.
Sustainability Initiatives
BC Wildlife Park works under their developed themes of creating positive emotional connections to wildlife, experiencing the interconnectedness of nature, and emphasizing the importance and power of individual responsibility with sustainability programs, like the Biosphere Program, to interpret BC wildlife and promote sustainability to visitors and residents alike.
Animal Welfare
The Park is committed to the principles of ethical and scientific responsibility by providing the highest animal welfare standards. BC Wildlife Park ensures that the animals within their care have a stable diet, are provided social opportunities, and are treated in a way that avoids mental and physical suffering.
Accessibility for all Visitors
BC Wildlife Park has taken the initiative to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all visitors. All public pathways throughout the park are paved, and the animal habitats are wheelchair accessible. They have also taken steps to create sensory-friendly experiences by offering a visual walkthrough of the park and sensory kits that are available for use during visits. BC Wildlife Park is also working on fundraising a major upgrade to the current playground, to create a more accessible and inclusive play space for kids of all ages and abilities.
Sustainable Measures at the Organization
BC Wildlife Park has made sustainable changes by implementing more reusable options around the park, such as their replacement of single-use paper maps with permanent map stations, adding water refill stations and eliminating the sales of plastic water bottles, and onsite composting which is used to fertilize the gardens around the park.
Biosphere Commitment Program
The Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Commitment Program is a sustainability program offered by the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association. The focus is to equip tourism businesses in the region with tools and resources to continuously measure, manage, and report sustainability management efforts. The program prepares businesses for a globally recognized certification, to show alignment of business operations with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Destination Certification.
Organizations can create customized sustainability plans through the Biosphere Sustainable Lifestyle platform and access dedicated support from industry experts.
Learn more about TOTA’s Biosphere Commitment Program