Story | Leslie Yip
In the White Lake Basin of British Columbia’s South Okanagan region is a very special grassland area, home to five federally listed species of concern—the Western Tiger Salamander, Lewis’s Woodpecker, Pallid Bat, Western Rattlesnake and Showy Phlox.
White Lake Basin
It is also a national biodiversity hot spot and one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world. In addition to the grasslands, there are open sagebrush steppes, riparian and broad leaf woodlands, all regarded as sensitive ecosystems.
Williamson’s Sapsucker perched on a branch.
This land is located within the traditional territories of several First Nations and has always been an important cultural and historical site, in addition to a source of medicines and foods.
Flammulated Owl.
Luckily, help is underway. YSL Beauty recently announced the Canadian launch of REWILD OUR EARTH. This is a global program, developed in partnership with Re:wild, a world-class NGO that works with 400 conservation partners in 84 countries to advance ecological restoration globally. This program will be carried out in collaboration with a local NGO partner, The Nature Trust of British Columbia.
Bear at White Lake.
This initiative is inscribed within the brand’s wider sustainability platform known as ‘Change the Rules, Change the Future’, as well as within its long-standing commitment to the Earth, inspired by the legacy of Yves Saint Laurent.
Nuttall Cottontail.
“I am delighted to see REWILD OUR EARTH expanding to Canada, a key region for biodiversity,” says Caroline Nègre, YSL Beauty’s international sustainability and scientific director. “Grasslands are one of the most threatened wild places on Earth, and yet, they are one of the most resilient.
“Essentially upside-down rain forests, grasslands store carbon, survive heat waves and create sanctuaries for wildlife. As such, they are critical to protecting Canada’s wilderness, and rewilding our Earth.”
