Armstrong, B.C. – Syilx Territory – A new campaign was launched today on the cusp of wildfire season, titled “Make Water Work, Plant FireSmart™.” Held in Armstrong City Hall’s vibrant Make Water Work demonstration garden, the kickoff event brought together key partners to highlight how Okanagan residents can take simple, effective steps to protect their homes, conserve water, and build more fire-resilient communities.
The Make Water Work, Plant FireSmart™ campaign — led by the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) — aims to help residents adopt easy yet meaningful practices that not only protect their homes, but also conserve water, and strengthen the region’s resilience to climate-related challenges.
Lake Country Mayor and OBWB Chair Blair Ireland spoke on how crucial it is for residents to conserve water for our valley: for food, fire and fish.
“The increasing heat and dryness of our Okanagan summers demand that we all become more conscious of our water use. The Make Water Work campaign, and embracing FireSmart™ principles, are crucial steps we can each take to protect what we value – our homes, our water resources, and the overall resilience of our valley,” said Ireland.
To emphasize the importance of being WaterWise and FireSmart™ and to increase impact, the OBWB partnered with FireSmart™ BC on this year’s campaign.
“The ‘Make Water Work’ campaign is a natural partnership for FireSmart™ BC because the choices we make in our yards, how we conserve water and the plants we choose, can significantly reduce wildfire risk,” said Karla Hoffman, FireSmart™ BC Landscaping Expert. “What you plant, and where you plant it, matters. While no plant is fire-proof, there are FireSmart™ choices that are far less likely to ignite. By using water wisely and planting strategically, we’re not just saving water — we’re creating defensible, resilient landscapes that can help safeguard our homes. Prevention is our best protection, and the FireSmart™ BC Landscaping Guide is one of the most effective tools homeowners can use to get started.”
The Make Water Work plant collection was initially developed in 2014, with the Okanagan Xeriscape Association, as an easy way for residents to begin the journey of transitioning to a more WaterWise landscape. Today, it includes more than 100 perennials, grasses, shrubs and trees, and is available at many garden centres up and down the valley.
“In the Okanagan’s semi-arid climate, xeriscaping is more than landscaping, it’s stewardship of our precious water resources during increasingly frequent droughts,” emphasizes Sigrie Kendrick, Executive Director of the Okanagan Xeriscape Association. “By embracing native and xeric plants and WaterWise design principles, we honor this unique ecosystem while creating resilient, beautiful spaces that thrive without excessive irrigation. The choices we make in our gardens today are a direct investment in the water security of the Okanagan for generations to come.”
OBWB Executive Director Melissa Tesche urged residents to visit the Make Water Work website, pledge to conserve this summer, and take steps to ensure their yard is WaterWise and FireSmart™.
“Our Okanagan summers are increasingly unpredictable. By making a commitment to water conservation through the Make Water Work pledge and implementing FireSmart™ landscaping practices, residents can build greater resilience for themselves and our entire community, no matter what the season brings,” added Tesche.
Armstrong Mayor and event host, Mayor Joe Cramer, challenged other communities to take Armstrong on, as they have been the clear champions when it comes to taking the pledge. Each year, OBWB announces a Make Water Work Champion Community based on the most pledges collected per capita. Armstrong has won six times in the last decade.
“Armstrong is proud of our residents’ ongoing commitment to the Make Water Work pledge, and we’ve seen the positive impact it has on our community. We’re ready to defend our title as champion, but more importantly, we challenge all Okanagan communities to join us in making WaterWise choices for the benefit of our entire valley,” said Cramer. “Hosting the launch of this year’s Make Water Work campaign in Armstrong’s beautiful xeriscape garden perfectly illustrates that WaterWise landscaping can be both stunning and practical. We encourage all Okanagan residents to explore these options and join us in taking the pledge.”
Okanagan residents can visit www.MakeWaterWork.ca and find tips to maintain a beautiful yard while conserving water, check out the Make Water Work Plant Collection, and take the pledge.
Pledges include:
- I pledge to only water my lawn between dusk and dawn.
- I pledge to mow smart – not too high, not too low.
- I pledge to choose plants native to our region and suitable for our dry climate.
- I pledge to plant FireSmart™ plants and let my yard do double duty.
- I pledge to choose waterwise landscaping practices like xeriscaping and clover lawns.
- I pledge to water plants, not pavement.
- I pledge to tune up my irrigation.
- I pledge to aerate my lawn and topdress with compost.
The campaign runs until mid-October. The community with the most pledges will be awarded the title “Make Water Work Community Champions” and those that pledge are entered to win one of two $500 WaterWise yard upgrades.
The Make Water Work campaign was first launched in 2011 and is aimed at tackling the second largest use of water in the valley – residential outdoor use.
About the OBWB
The OBWB is a local government agency established in 1970 to address the region’s most pressing water issues. It represents a collaborative partnership between the three Okanagan regional districts, the Okanagan Nation Alliance, the Water Supply Association of BC, and the Okanagan Water Stewardship Council.
The OBWB’s mandate is to protect and enhance water resources in the Okanagan Basin — a transboundary (Canada and US) watershed nearly 200 km long and covering 8,000 km². This unique watershed includes the headwaters of the Columbia River and six major valley-bottom lakes: Wood, Kalamalka, Okanagan, Skaha, Vaseux, and Osoyoos. Surrounded by mountains and growing communities, the region faces complex and mounting water challenges, from climate change and population growth to ecosystem degradation and water scarcity.