Sheila Kerr has been named Peachland’s Unsung Hero.
She was recognized for her efforts as a community leader at the district’s civic awards on April 26.
Kerr has been cleaning up the Okanagan backcountry for years and helped found the Okanagan Forest Task Force.
Thankful for the award, Kerr is using the opportunity to encourage others to do their part.
“I recognize that the challenges that our habitat and our environment are facing are human-caused,” Kerr said. “Maybe not by me or you personally, but they are problems created by humans, and animals can’t fix them.”
Kerr said we all have a responsibility to keep our forests clean, “and that’s one of the reasons that the Okanagan Forest Task Force exists… We’re all humans on this planet and we all have to take care of it and clean up our mess.”
On top of cleaning the backcountry, Kerr added that we need to do better when it comes to fire season.
“Abandoned campfires are a huge issue. Last year during fire season, I think the Okanagan Forest Task Force extinguished something like 300 abandoned campfires… I can’t believe I have to say it, but there I was just the other day putting out somebody’s fire.”
Kerr also addressed the illegal dumping of yard waste in the backcountry.
“It introduces invasive species to our backcountry, which can cause many problems, and it helps to fuel wildfires,” Kerr said this undermines the mitigation work done ahead of fire season.
The Unsung Hero is inviting others to get involved by joining the task force and the Peachland Watershed Protection Alliance on May 4 for a clean-up. Volunteers are asked to meet at 9:30 a.m. a the cattle guards on Princeton Avenue.
For those not able to make the event, Kerr encourages people to join the Facebook group OFTF to learn about future opportunities.
READ MORE: Clean it up, move it out of Peachland’s watershed