The arrival of spring also means it’s time for the area’s garbathon, an afternoon of picking up litter along riverbanks and on streets that’s accumulated over the winter months.
This year marks the 30th annual garbathon and the continuation of twinning it with Earth Day under the umbrella of three main organizers – SkeenaWild Conservation Trust, the Greater Terrace Beautification Society and the City of Terrace.
“A group of local merchants got the ball rolling in 1985 when they carried out the first community garbage pick-up,” says Kerry Giesbrecht from the beautification society in tracing the garbathon’s history.
“The following year, the group decided that there was still work to be done and so the Greater Terrace Beautification Society was born,” she said.
Volunteers should meet beginning at noon April 19 in the parking lot at McDonald’s with collecting to last until 4 p.m.
Groups are encouraged to come out and while past participants may have their favorite locations, garbathon organizers say they’ll have a map available for other pickers as well.
Garbage bags will be available and those participating might want to bring gloves.
Collected garbage and items can then be returned to McDonalds for deposit into a large garbage skip.
There’s a by donation barbecue afterward at the George Little Park with Skeena salmon caught sustainably, says Julia Hill from SkeenaWild.
Save-On-Foods is providing some of the food for the barbecue, there’s going to be music and a draw for a Hawkair trip to Vancouver.
Those attending the barbecue are encouraged to bring their own plates and utensils.