SEVERAL HUNDRED people showed up April 23 as this year’s garbathon resulted in a picking up of litter which had accumulated over the winter.
Kerry Giesbrecht from the Greater Terrace Beautification Society, one of the garbathon’s organizers, the day went well and that organizers at the sign in table at McDonald’s ran out of bags several times.
“One hundred and ninety two people registered at the sign-in table but I’m sure there were many more than that participating,” she said.
This year there was an emphasis on cleaning up the growing number of illegal dump sites and provincial conservation officers were on hand to help with that and lend assistance to others.
“BC Hydro was a huge help,” said Giesbrecht of that crown corporation. “Their belly dumper took three loads to the [Thornhill] transfer station and at least another two trailers were taken to the station by the conservation officers,” Giesbrecht said.
A large bin placed at McDonald’s was full to its brim while metals were placed in a smaller bin.
“It was a good day,” said Giesbrecht of the annual event which has been held for more than 20 years.
Mick Miller from SkeenaWild called the day a success for the group which signed on to the garbathon some years back to highlight the need to keep litter and debris from the area’s rivers, streams and lakes.
He drew attention to the clean up effort at Williams Creek, one of the illegal dump sites.
“The cleanup of William’s Creek was a highlight for us, as it is critical for spawning sockeye salmon. Garbage in and along rivers pollute the water, harm fish, and take away from the beauty of these special places,” said Miller.
The day ended with a barbecue at George Little Park for the garbathon participants.