Mission Creek Introduction

I live in the hills of upper Rutland close to the mission creek entrance off of Hollywood road. The mission creek trail system became my little oasis where I would retreat to get away from school or home. The mission creek always made me feel like I was on the west coast of Canada instead of in the Okanagan region. The mission creek and the surrounding areas close to the river are extremely fascinating ecological zones.  The Okanagan is filled with tall dry mountains filled with wineries and orchards that all over looks the iconic Okanagan Lake that runs the Okanagan. The Okanagan area is dry and filled with different types of sage and bunch grass that cover the surrounding mountainsides. The upper part to the mission river feels much more like a costal climate area then the dry typical Okanagan landscape. You are submerged in dense trees that over hang the trail and the river. The vegetation still has colour and has not been dried out from the warm climate. The river starts above in the Greystoke mountain range at Mission Lake (Mission Creek Greenway 2009:1). It then flows all the way down to the Okanagan Lake running through many communities in Kelowna. I spent most of time exploring from the entrance off Hollywood road up words towards the Greystoke mountain peaks. I felt the different environmental area of Mission Creek would be a perfect place to start my research project. I started by exploring in the woods next to the trail that runs along the river. I explored beyond the trail and climbed along the riverbank several kilometers up the river. The river and surroundings are filled with so many unique different zones and species. I spent the next month visiting different ecological spots along the river that I wanted to observe and learn more about.