WELCOME TO ECOMMUNITY PLACE
For countless centuries the Syilx people of the Okanagan have called the Okanagan-Similkameen valley of British Columbia 
home. The knowledge needed for survival was passed from one generation to the next through their stories, songs, traditions and customs.
Today, the En'owkin Centre and ECOmmunity Place in Penticton are helping to preserve and perpetuate these rich traditions by providing a strong commitment to protect the Indigenous plants, wildlife, culture and spirituality found within these lands. ECOmmunity Place brings together learning, conservation and culture on a one-hundred (100) hectare site located on the West side of the Okanagan River floodplain. Despite its wild and natural state, it sits across from the City of Penticton, a commercial centre for over 50,000 people living in the Southern Okanagan Valley.
Pressure to develop these lands is strong. In the South Okanagan, riparian and wetland habitats like the one found at ECOmmunity Place have disappeared by up to 87%. While these habitats have historically covered a large portion of the valley bottom, they have been slowly lost to agriculture, golf courses, housing and shopping centres. Efforts to secure these lands as a permanent natural habitat is underway with the goal of creating a valuable educational and ecological space containing some of the most rare habitats in Canada.
The British Columbia Conservation Data Centre has ranked the Southern Interior's cottonwood/ water birch and water birch/ red-osier dogwood riparian ecosystems (like those found on these lands) among the most rare plant communities in the province (they are both Red Listed).
ECOmmunity Place Locatee Lands Project
The En’owkin Centre and
ECOmmunity Place (ECOmmunity) in Penticton are helping to preserve and protect the 
Indigenous plants, wildlife, culture and
spirituality found on the land. It brings together lands & learning, conservation & culture on a 100- hectare site located
on the West side of the Okanagan River Floodplain.
ECOmmunity provides a ‘natural’ venue to host programs, projects, performances, tours, workshops & classes where groups and individuals can explore the natural and cultural qualities that define the uniqueness of the South Okanagan. Restoration and protection projects offer tremendous opportunities to educate and involve the public. Guided interpretive programs provide schools with the educational programs that incorporate curriculum projects which use studies, cultural arts, story telling and Indigenous drama; thus raising visitor awareness around environmental values and the Syilx culture.
ECOmmunity Place Gallery
During the summer months ECOmmunity Place offers a variety of programs, exhibits and performances created by Indigenous Artists.
ECOmmunity Locatee Lands
ECOmmunity Place Heritage Tours offer a unique out-door experience by combining science with Syilx culture. ECOmmunity offers a variety of guided tours of the Black Cottonwood Riparian ecosystem in Penticton, BC.
Come join us on our general walkabouts, bird watching tours, or to identify/ photograph plants, reptiles or the local Species at Risk.
ECOmmunity Place Activities
Learning as if Natured Mattered!
A Professional Development Workshop Opportunity
“Learning as if Nature Mattered” is a workshop designed to introduce participants to the concept of eco literacy, developed through a focus on Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge (ATK) combined with Western Scientific methods. Differentiating ATK and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) from Western Science will be a practical objective. Being ecologically literate or eco literate means to understand the basic principles of ecological communities and to be able to embody them in the daily life of human communities. By increasing access to and including the ATK perspective, connecting traditional forms of knowledge, utilizing contemporary and traditional teaching methods such as (Captikwl) legends, individuals become aware of life’s connectivity to the biological community. This workshop utilizes an ecological learning framework based on traditional First Nation community processes and developed by the En’owkin Centre in collaboration with the Centre for Eco literacy. Concepts are approached by demonstrating how students can be provided learning outcomes that can be explored in the local ecosystem. The workshop will demonstrate ideas on how students can be engaged in fieldwork or field studies, including hands on mapping, inventory, monitoring and restoration projects on the locate lands as a part of developing ECOmmunity; that is a community of eco literate individuals who will be stewards in the future. Increased access and knowledge from diverse perspectives allows the freedom of growth and respect of life through positive hands on experiences.
This workshop has been developed for teachers who would like to integrate the outdoor learning environment and a cross- cultural experience into their curriculum for the school year. This workshop could be beneficial for anyone who has a desire or passion for conservation efforts being made in the South Okanagan and is a model for building sustainable community.
Reconnect Project
A project in partnership with
Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance (OSCA),
learn about Species at Risk and conservation efforts through combining Western Scientific approaches and the First Nations Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) at ECOmmunity Place. TEK and Biologists provide a summary and updates on the current work and conservation efforts at ECOmmunity Place and how we are working together for increased success. ECOmmunity 
Place brings together learning, conservation and culture on a one hundred thirty five acre site located on the West side of the Okanagan River. Despite its wild and natural state, it sits across from the City of Penticton, a commercial centre for over 50,000 people living in the Southern Okanagan Valley. At the ECOmmunity Place Conservation Area we tour this beautiful area that represents an overview of the South Okanagan habitats and is home to many of the Species at Risk found in our region. As part of being connected to the land and 
fostering that approach, we will be planting Indigenous Plants and Shrubs as part of our Reconnect Restoration Project.
This Project is all about planting, monitoring the plants and involving both youth and adults. The Youth Reconnect Project is available for private, public and Band run schools, however this year’s project is complete and is based on project funding. The Adult Reconnect project is for decision-making groups like Regional Districts, Band Councils, and City Elected and their respective staff. Those who plant in the spring will come back in the fall and those who come in the fall will come back in the spring to check on their plants at ECOmmunity Place. Shovels and plants provided.
For more information contact CHAD ENEAS, ECOmmunity Place Coordinator
by Phone: 250-493-7181
ext. 2230 or Email: tek[at]vip.net
Chad is a young Traditional Knowledge Keeper of the Okanagan Nation and works closely with the Elders of our communities. As a past Penticton Indian Band Councilor he continues to support healthy community initiatives. Chad is currently working for the En'owkin Centre as ECOmmunity Place Coordinator, where one of his goals is to increase access to culture in natural learning methods and environments. He is learning the language and culture through classes at the En'owkin Centre. His interests are in connecting communities with the land as a land user sharing the knowledge of what is happening in our area, in and on the land. Chad is also the TEK coordinator and an assistant coordinator for the En’owkin Centre’s Aboriginal Children in Care program.
