Burrowing Owl hits charitable milestone
The Okanagan's Burrowing Owl Estate Winery is proud to announce a milestone in its support of charitable organizations including the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society of B.C.
As of Aug. 1, the winery had raised $1,029,357, which has benefited not only the BOCSBC, but also other worthy organizations such as the South Okanagan Raptor Rehabilitation Centre, the Nature Trust of British Columbia, and Nature Conservancy Canada.
Last week the winery celebrated this achievement with a visit by Pluto, an educational ambassador burrowing owl from the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society, and Lauren Meads, biologist and executive director of the society.
Since 2004, Burrowing Owl Estate Winery has been raising funds for conservation by charging a $3 tasting fee to patrons who sample its wines at its on-site wine shop. Proceeds have been donated on an annual basis, with the BOCBS receiving the lion's share of the funds.
The BOCBS has always held a special place in the heart of winery proprietor Jim Wyse, who notes “we're always conscious that we really owe our success to the land we grow our grapes on, and helping this beautiful bird survive is one way we can give back to the earth, for all it gives us.”
“Burrowing Owl Estate Winery has taken on a key stewardship role for this species at risk,” said Mike Mackintosh, president of the BOCSBC.
“Their long-term support has given our society the stability and the means to focus on what is most important — rebuilding a self-sustainingpopulation of these tiny, amazing owls in the southern Interior grasslands of B.C.”
Burrowing Owl winery wishes to thank all those who visited the winery's tasting room over the years, and helped put this amazing bird on the road to recovery.