Okanagan's first Groundhog Day... with a twist

The Allan Brooks Nature Centre held its inaugural Groundhog Day celebration, with a twist.

Rather than a real groundhog, Centre Manager Cheryl Hood brought out a stuffed marmot toy they named Okanagan Okie.

The plushy did not cast a shadow, so it was declared that the Okanagan would see an early spring.

Hood said the decision to not bring forward a live marmot, which is in the same species family as groundhogs, was made because they are all hibernating.

“They’re still sleeping, they don’t want to be woken up, they’re getting ready to start their summer and having babies and fitting in with the natural cycle,” said Hood, adding that this was intended to be just a fun event.

“We don’t really have resources to look after marmots. We’re not a rehab centre, we’re not like the wildlife park, but we want to make sure they’re safe.”

Since marmots are a local species, Hood said this event can provide people with more information on the animal.

“They are part of our food chain for the wildlife. For coyotes, hawks, [marmots] are part of their food when they’re out in the summer months. So, it’s just keeping that balance going.”

Hood said they plan to hold more Groundhog Day events in the future because it not only inspires people to visit the sanctuary and consider donating to the centre but also draws people in to take advantage of the educational opportunities.

“We do have the [Grassland Trail] path and people can come up and wander around or snowshoe in the winter months. In the summer months, they can walk around and there’s signage and they can learn about the area we live in and where we’re situated,” Hood explained.

Gloria Morgan, the former Chief of Splatsin First Nation, and recent appointee to the Allan Brook’s Nature Centre board played a travelling song prior to the unveiling of Okie.

She told Vernon Matters that being involved in the event was very special to both herself and local Indigenous people.

“It’s a nature centre, Indigenous people are so closely connected to nature, and I think this is a great way to get more Indigenous people, especially the people in the local area, involved more with the Allan Brooks Nature Centre,” said Morgan.

The Allan Brooks Nature Centre is typically closed this time of year but did open its doors to those in attendance for the event so they could walk through the facility and learn more about the local wildlife and nature.