Kelowna, B.C. – Since the Okanagan Basin Water Board and its Okanagan WaterWise program launched the Don’t Move A Mussel campaign in 2013, the level of awareness regarding invasive zebra and quagga mussels has exploded in the valley. Today, it launched an expansion of the campaign to further strengthen mussel defence with a news conference down at Kelowna’s Hot Sands Beach.
“According to B.C.’s mussel inspectors, the Okanagan has the highest level of awareness than anywhere in B.C.[1] Now the program is aiming to take its Don’t Move A Mussel message beyond the Okanagan, enlisting the support of its residents to help protect the valley’s waters, encouraging people to “HAVE… THE TALK.” with out-of-town guests, and others,” noted OBWB Chair Doug Findlater.
As part of the effort, the www.DontMoveAMussel.ca website has been updated with information about having the talk, and new radio ads, bus ads and social media ads have been launched. As well, new Don’t Move A Mussel muscle shirts are being distributed by Okanagan WaterWise and partners.