CONC's Central Okanagan Biodiversity Checklist

The Central Okanagan Naturalists' Club (CONC) launched the Checklist in early 2023. A fairly complete all-taxa initial draft of the Checklist was prepared by Douglas J. Graham during the period April 2020 to December 2022 and it is subsequently being updated and corrected with the assistance of users and collaborators. Most of the records are derived from a review of the literature, in particular E-Flora BC, E-Fauna BC, and iNaturalist. Review from experts in various taxonomic groups is still needed and would be welcomed.

A User Guide includes detailed information on methodology and sources, and is available on request. It also includes information on the habitats of the RDCO, which range from the dry grasslands and Ponderosa Pine habitats of the Okanagan Valley floor, to subalpine areas up to 2300 m. The Guide also acknowledges the names of all contributors. Of note, Ian Walker has provided many useful comments and ideas.

Special thanks are extended to a team of second-year students in the Computer Information Systems program at Okanagan College in Kelowna who, as a "Capstone Project", did the initial programming to allow the database to be placed on-line and to make it searchable: Dakota Flath, Noah Blake, and Lipsha Rai. As the site evolves, Dakota continues to provide the needed programming support.

The photos were graciously provided by Vivian Manning.