The forecast looks bright for a popular Vernon attraction.
The Allan Brooks Nature Centre (ABNC) 乌鸦传媒� housed in the Commonage in a former weather station 乌鸦传媒� invites the public to a special 25th anniversary wine and cheese celebration.
The event will take place Thursday, June 12, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the nature centre, which opened July 1, 2000 with more than 1,300 guests in attendance.
This milestone event will commemorate 25 years of inspiring nature education, environmental stewardship, and community connection in the North Okanagan.
乌鸦传媒淭his evening is about honouring the dedication of our community, volunteers, educators, and supporters who乌鸦传媒檝e helped make ABNC a cornerstone of environmental education in the region,乌鸦传媒� said Cheryl Hood, executive director. 乌鸦传媒淲e乌鸦传媒檙e not just celebrating the past 25 years 乌鸦传媒� we乌鸦传媒檙e also looking ahead to the next 25.乌鸦传媒�
Guests will enjoy a delightful evening of local wines, artisan cheeses, and breathtaking panoramic views atop the nature centre grounds.
The celebration will include:
乌鸦传媒� A look back at ABNC乌鸦传媒檚 history and impact since opening its doors in 2000;
乌鸦传媒� Stories and highlights from key figures who have helped shape the centre乌鸦传媒檚 legacy;
乌鸦传媒� Sneak peeks at upcoming initiatives and visions for the future;
乌鸦传媒� Presentations and guided cheese tastings by Canada乌鸦传媒檚 own Cheese Ambassador, David Beaudoin.
Tickets are available online at or contact , with proceeds supporting ongoing education programs and conservation initiatives.
"The Allan Brooks Nature Centre encourages early ticket purchase, as space is limited and going fast for this intimate evening of celebration, reflection, and connection with nature," said Hood.
The centre is located in the old Upper Air Weather Station, which overlooks Kalamalka, Okanagan and Swan Lakes. It's the only place in the North Okanagan where all three lakes can be seen at the same time.
In 1994, Environment Canada closed the station and realizing the importance of the setting, a group of local naturalists quickly generated community support. Their campaign was to lead to the creation of the largest nature interpretation centre in the North Okanagan.
Once the site was secured, more than $1 million was raised in a six-year period. These funds were used to reconstruct the buildings and landscape the site. Volunteers contributed a significant amount of the labour with the more technical work contracted to local sub-trades.
The Nature Centre consists of two buildings. The former garage is used as a workshop, public and school program venue and for supply storage. The main building has three main display areas: the Habitat Room, the Features Room and the Discovery Room. Each provides the public with visual and hands-on learning opportunities to study the four ecosystems comprising the North Okanagan.
Future development at the site could include a weather exhibit, a tea-room, and a caretaker乌鸦传媒檚 residence.
History of Allan Brooks
Major Allan Cyril Brooks was born in India on Feb. 15, 1869, and he attended school in Yorkshire, England from 1873 to 1881. Brook乌鸦传媒檚 passion for ornithology (the study of birds) was piqued by his experience collecting specimens in India with his father, William Edwin Brooks.
In 1887, Allan moved to Chilliwack and by the age of 25, he was a prominent collector and supplier of zoological specimens to American museums. Allan was an avid hunter and shot thousands of birds in his lifetime during which time hunting was considered an admirable practice. This allowed him to bring these specimens home where he could paint and sketch them with almost photographic detail.
Allan moved to Okanagan Landing in 1905 where he spent many hours hunting and drawing in the Commonage area, the present location of the Allan Brooks Nature Centre. He built a small bird sanctuary on his property where he recorded 40 different species of nesting birds. His detailed records made a significant contribution to the overall understanding of indigenous Canadian birds.
Except for a short time as a sniper in the First World War, Allan lived in Okanagan Landing until his death in 1946.
At the time of his death, he had more than 10,000 bird skins preserved in his workshop. A self-taught artist, Allan is acknowledged as one of the most prominent painters of birds in North America.
