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Dozens of volunteers with the Okanagan Forest Task Force (OFTF) gathered up Postill Lake Road on June 3, 2017 to bear the brunt of others' illegal dumping.
The weekend's clean up brought the group's 10 month total to 111,000 pounds (50,348.75 kg) of detrimental waste that is now where it should be, in the landfill.
111,000 pounds of scrap metal and nails and garbage and pollutants that selfish people left in the woods.
Organizer Kane Blake said that total number pains him. “I feel sheer disgust,” said Blake. “That number is crazy in just 10 months. A lot of the sites we go to are constant dumping spots. People don't seem to get it or care.
“We've all had a family pet, and when they're sick or hurt we are their voice, we take them to the vet. Nobody is speaking up for the wildlife walking through the broken glass or the nails or getting tangled in Christmas lights dumped in the bush or volleyball nets. They suffer in silence.”
This past weekend more than 40 OFTF volunteers drove up Postill Lake Road for one of the group's biggest cleanups yet.
With the help of several local business sponsors, the army of volunteers cleaned up more than 22,700 pounds (10296.54 kg) of junk on June 3. 15,880 pounds (7,203.04 kg) of scrap metal and 6,834 pounds (3099.85 kg) of garbage.
“We had such a fantastic turnout, I can't thank everyone enough,” said Blake. “All of our volunteers are an army with a mission, it's amazing.”
He noted that part of their success this past weekend was the local companies that donated and supported their work.
“The Rutland Subway donated lunch, cookies and coffee for everybody, Winn Rentals donated the Bobcat which allowed us to do as much as we did, Smithrite donated two 40-yard bins for us to fill, Rona Kelowna donated shovels, rakes, boxes of garbage bags, KHS Landscaping brought two landscaping crews with trucks and trailers and equipment, ABC Recycling lent the big magnet truck to pick up the nails, Sean Heddle with 5iveby5ive Media came up and shot photos and video, the Regional District waved dumping fees and gave bags – it was amazing, we need more people like that.”
As of September 2016, OFTF has been a legalized non-profit organization that cleans up the forests of the Okanagan, funding purely by donations and member's own contribution.
“None of us are paid, it is out of pocket, so the help that we get almost brings tears to our eyes. People want to help and we need more people like that,” said Blake. “It's a huge community effort.”
Any identifying factors found in the garbage are always provided to police and government officials, but Blake says more needs to be done. His organization is now feeling the need to publicly shame those that have documentation in the mess.
“We will do it now. People need to be made an example of for people to change. We didn't want to do it, but nothing is changing. If we catch someone dumping on one of our cameras, it will be on the news. It is time to grow up,” said Blake.
The OFTF will also be working with local politicians to advocate for tougher laws when it comes to illegal dumping.
“We want the law to be that if your personal information is found in the garbage, you will be held responsible,” said Blake.
“What we have is not working.”
The group itself is starting to get worldwide recognition for their hard work. Blake has received contact from cities and individuals in other provinces and countries asking about how they do what they do and how they may be able help each other in the future.
“I hear from people all over and yet I hear nothing from our own government. They have not reached out to help us funding wise, or offered to see how they can help,” said Blake.
“The government needs to step up. What will happen if we pull the plug on this? We need funding. How much wear and tear am I going to put on my own equipment without seeing a dime of help before I call it quits and go broke?
“We are doing their job...for free.”
If you want to support the OFTF by making a donation on their website, or to report illegal dump sites in the Okanagan.
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