Locals embraced the beginning of fall at Cottonwood Falls Park, grabbing buckets and helping to clean up the waterways on Sunday, September 22.
Twenty four volunteers joined the ranks for the second community clean up project hosted by the Friends of Kootenay Lake Stewardship Society (FOKL) since summer.
The Society had been on a hiatus for a few months while the board, volunteers, and staff assessed the organization’s capacity.
There were thousands of pieces of litter and trash picked up in and around the park and down the creek banks right down to the rail tracks, and then down at the mouth of the creek into Kootenay Lake.
The garbage removed from these delicate ecosystems weighed over 420 lbs (plus 3 shopping carts and two tires). These sorts of lake shore and waterway clean-ups are crucial to keeping the waterways habitable for the wildlife that calls them home.
“We had so many new, motivated volunteers show up! The Nelson community continues to amaze me, and I can’t believe how much trash the group as a whole removed from the creek!” said FOKL beach cleanup organizer Lily Feeback.
“As summertime draws to a close this is a great time to get out and clean the banks and shores of garbage and debris, so it doesn’t get lost under the snow and falling leaves. Many residents and visitors to the Kootenays are lucky enough to spend time on or in the lake and we all need to play a part to keep them clean and thriving.”
“The clean cool waters can feel like a lifesaver, especially during those extra hot days when temperatures reach over 40. With so many people enjoying time on the lake, lots of litter is bound to make it into the water, and the Friends of Kootenay Lake are happy that they can help keep the shores clean and pristine.”
Friends of Kootenay Lake Stewardship Society is planning another clean-up before the snow flies, with the help of the board, volunteers, and community, for Tuesday, November 5, at a location to be determined.
Check out the Friends of Kootenay Lake social media for all the details closer to the date.
FOKL will also hold their AGM on Saturday, October 26th, from 3.30 – 5pm in Nelson at the Jam Factory, 303 Vernon St.
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