ABOUT US
The Bishop Wild Bird Sanctuary is a private nature reserve located in beautiful Coldstream, British Columbia, Canada.
The sanctuary includes Riparian, Forest and Grassland habitat, as well as 440 feet of shoreline on Kalamalka Lake. It provides habitat for birds to thrive in the wild.
The sanctuary is open to the public.
Our Mission
Our Values
• that our position in the naturalist community is both an opportunity and a responsibility.
• that the funds attracted to the Foundation are a resource for the benefit of the birds and other wildlife and we commit to steward these funds in a responsible manner.
• that our policies, procedures and practices will encourage children and young naturalists to learn about nature, and to respect the natural environment.
• that, within the overall guidelines of the Foundation, the specific wishes of all donors will be honored.
• in respectful and ethical behaviour to all those coming in contact with the Foundation.
Gallery
The History
- 1904 – Jamie Kidston’s Grandfather bought the property from the Coldstream Ranch, and built the first house Miktow on the site.
- 1932 – John Kidston died. His widow Anna Kidston operated the house as a “Guest House”. The Bishops from San Francisco stayed at the Guest house while visiting their son who worked in Vernon.
- 1935 – The Bishops purchased the property.
- 1960-61 – The original home burned. The present home was built on the original foundation.
- 1980 – Lydia Bishop (daughter and only surviving child of the Bishops) bequeathed the property and investments to a foundation (with a Board of Directors) to care for the property as a wildlife habitat, particularly for birds.
- 1980 – The NONC Foundation was incorporated under the Society Act of the Province of British Columbia on the 19th of December 1980. The Foundation was later registered with Revenue Canada as a charitable society.
- 1986 – Founding Director James Grant dies. Money bequeathed by James Grant to the foundation allowing the purchase of Whiskey Island, which is re-named the James Grant Island and becomes a bird sanctuary.
- 1993 – Lydia Bishop dies. The Board of Directors appointed a couple of local naturalists to be caretakers of the sanctuary.
- 2004 – Pauline Legg, a Vernon-area naturalist, passed away. An insurance policy on her life named the Foundation as a beneficiary. The foundation received $50,000 which was donated towards the purchase of farm land at the north end of the city, to become the Swan Lake Bird Sanctuary.
- 2004 – The name of the foundation was changed from the NONC Foundation to “The Bishop Wild Bird Foundation”
- 2009 – An agreement was signed with the Regional District of North Okanagan that the Bishop Wild Bird Foundation will continue to run the property as a sanctuary open to the public.
- 2010 – The foundation takes a more active community role, participating in the Sunshine Festival in Vernon and at the 100th anniversary of the Mackie Lake House. Public open houses are held.
Directors Past and Present
- 1980 – _____ Kay Bartholomew
- 1980 – 1986 James Grant
- 1980 – 1999 Patrick (Paddie) Mackie
- 1980 – 2012 Joan Heriot
- 1980 – 2004 Mary Collins
- 1986 – 2010 John Baumbrough
- 1997-1999 Howard Lawrence
- 1997- 2005 Phil Gehlen
- 1997- 2004 Phil Ranson
- 2004 – _____ Sue Steinke
- 2004 – 2009 Erin Nelson
- 2005 – _____ Vivian Merchant
- 2009 – _____ Brent Phillips
- 2009 – 2010 Chris Siddle
- 2010 – _____ Barb Klopfenstein
- 2010- _____ Mike Carlson
- 2011- _____ Adam Moss
- 2011- _____ Brian Arquilla
- Craig Broderick
- Heather Taylor (Hansen)
- Dawn Guenette
- Carol Willis
- Diana French
- Gerald Wellburn
- 2012 – present Maria Besso
- Rod Willis
- Sue Ghattas
- Eli Pivnick
Caretakers Past and Present
– 1980 -2004 Tom and Mary Collins
– 2004 – 2010 Erin and Leanne Nelson
– 2010 – 2026 Aaron Deans and Laisha Rosnau
– 2026 – Present Dian Wirth and Geoff Nielsen