Government is continuing to support rural communities with a $410,426 investment under the Rural Education Enhancement Fund (REEF) to help the Okanagan Similkameen School District keep Osoyoos secondary in Osoyoos open.

Members of the public are invited to attend an information session being held by Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations staff regarding protecting species at risk in the Osoyoos West Bench.

As British Columbia experiences some of its strongest tourism growth in years, with a record number of international visitors during the first half of the year, Osoyoos is receiving $390,335 from the Province’s Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI) to support its tourism industry.

The Ministry of Environment has analysed thousands of submissions received from British Columbians in response to the Intentions Paper on a Protected Areas Framework for British Columbia’s South Okanagan.

Students and teachers at Osoyoos Elementary school and Osoyoos StrongStart in Osoyoos, Oliver Elementary school, Tul-el-Nuit Elementary school and Oliver StrongStart in Oliver and Cawston Primary School in Cawston will benefit from innovative learning concepts being put into action thanks to 15 new K-12 Innovation Partnership projects.

Individuals wishing to provide feedback on an intentions paper proposing how land might be protected in the South Okanagan now have until Oct. 31, 2015, to offer input.

Osoyoos will receive $403,692 for projects that help support tourism infrastructure and amenities.

The first phase of improvements to the waterfront Gyro Beach area in Osoyoos is complete in time for the summer season. The $600,000 Phase A includes construction of a lighted stone walkway, boardwalk, extended grassy areas, tables, benches, trees and extensive landscaping.