25 Apr 60+ Volunteers Remove over 7000 Pounds of Trash from Kootenay Lake Shorelines
Friends of Kootenay Lake Stewardship Society hosted an Earth Day Cleanup last Friday, April 22 where over 60 volunteers removed over 7000 pounds of scrap metal and trash from the shoreline between Lakeside Park and the old Kootenay Forest Products (KFP) site.
The initiative was a response to multiple complaints from dog walkers and beach goers who frequent the area.
“I have been regularly cleaning broken glass and nails, etc. from this stretch of beach on my dog walks. I’ve probably collected half a dozen doggie poop bags full of glass, etc. and there’s still lots out there. In fact, I probably won’t go there anymore as it is too hazardous for my dog” – A concerned neighbour.
Volunteers of all ages came together on this sunny Friday, eager to lend a hand and give these shorelines a fresh start for spring. In a matter of minutes, buckets were filled to the top. Most of the trash they collected was scrap metal, but other items included a car seat, a sink, grocery carts, car tires, and an abandoned boat.
“It was such a wonderful turn out. Seeing so many eager and passionate people come together was so inspiring. This cleanup goes to show that when we put our hands together, change happens, and happens fast. We are grateful for our volunteers and there is no way we could do this work without them. – Joelle Burnie, Environmental Outreach Coordinator
Garbage pollution continues to be a significant issue around the lake, negatively impacting wildlife and other lake inhabitants and visitors. Friends of Kootenay Lake hosts cleanups year-round as one of their many stewardship initiatives. It aims to bring like-minded individuals together, decrease risks to the lake ecosystem, and spread awareness of the pollution issue. Cleanups are especially important this time of year because the water levels are low, making trash and other debris visible and accessible to remove.
A special thanks to Mountain Bin, the City of Nelson, and Western Pacific Marine for helping us to remove and dispose of the materials. Also, thank you to Save On Foods for donating refreshments and snacks for the volunteers.
