Tonnes of junk has already been fished from the Columbia River shores, but there's still plenty of waste to pick up.
Sunday is BC Rivers Day Shoreline Clean Up and the City of Trail is asking citizens to do their part to keep the river clean.
The day begins at 10 a.m. in Jubilee Park on the Esplanade. Volunteers can pickup supply bags and gloves courtesy of the city before embarking along the stretch from Sunningdale through Gyro Park, out to Casino and as far south as the Waneta Dam area.
Trail's three ambassadors will man the check in table and assign areas for clean up.
If someone has a specific designation in mind, however, that is also welcome, says Trail events coordinator Andrea Jolly.
“Everyone who collects is asked to leave bags in a visible location,” she added.
All waste will be picked up roadside by Teck Trail Operations vehicles and transported to the McKelvey Creek Regional Landfill. Each haul is weighed to keep track of how much junk is collected, but the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary does waive landfill fees for the cause.
Garbage clean up winds up at noon and will be followed by a free lunch and raffles for door prizes donated by local businesses.
Last year, 120 people took part, hauling in 2.2 tonnes of garbage, debris and scrap metal, Jolly noted.
“Lets keep our river clean,” she added. “The event is gaining momentum as we educate and remind the public how important it is to keep the Columbia River clean and healthy as it is an integral waterway to our entire area.”
For more information, contact Jolly at 250.364.0834.