Vineyard putting threatened species on display
OKANAGAN FALLS — There’s another reason to visit Liquidity Wines this summer besides tasting their award-winning vino.
Liquidity Wines is the only Canadian stop for the National Geographic Photo Ark exhibit. Launched in late june, the show can be viewed in both the tasting lounge and outside in the vineyard from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., daily, until Sept. 3.
The ambitious project led by National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore aims to document every species living in the world’s zoos and wildlife sanctuaries.
Sartore has already photographed more than 8,000 species and, once complete, his pictures will be the largest archive of the world’s species in history.
“The goal of the Photo Ark is simple,” said Sartore. “Show what’s at stake and get people to care – while there is still time.”
Half of all the planet’s species could be lost by 2100, the exhibit says.
So how did such a prestigious exhibit end up being displayed at a winery in Okanagan Falls? That’s where Liquity owner Ian MacDonald comes in.
The wine aficionado is also an art collector and went to see the NG Photo Ark at a museum in the U.S.
He returned to the Okanagan and phoned the National Geographic Society directly to see if Sartore could bring the project here.
“Our vineyard borders land owned by the Nature Trust of B.C.,” MacDonald said.
“Their mission is to protect wildlife habitat. The mission of the photo ark is to help conserve and sustain habitat so these species have a chance for generations to come.”
About 55 images of the world’s species are featured on large canvas on almost every wall in the bright and airy tasting room and bistro. Each picture of a species has its own bio and ranking on the extinction list.
The Photo Ark continues outside in the vineyard where people are encouraged to walk and explore the image boards, with the Nature’s Trust lands and lake serving as the exhibit’s backdrop.
“Not only is this the only place to see this exhibit in Canada, it is also free for everyone.
“At all its major stops in the U.S., you have to pay to see it,” said MacDonald. “At Liquidity Wines, we have three pillars: wine, food and art. The Photo Ark is meant to be interactive and family friendly — to start an important conversation about conservation and the world’s ecosystem and how we can take care of it.”
Liquidity Wines is doing its part creating a sustainable vineyard.
A few years ago, it stopped using sprays and have been growing an organic garden, with all its edibles incorporated into the menu at the bistro.
He also allowed a pond on the property to fill itself in. Over the years, it has created its own ecosystem where dragonflies breed, and frogs and birds call it home.
At home he has beehives and thousands of honeybees. “We all can do our part,” MacDonald said. Liquidity Wines is at 4720 Allendale Rd. See liquiditywines.com, joelsartore.com or nationalgeographic.org/projects/photo-ark.