Group got here out to assist the Okanagan Forest Process Pressure Saturday – Kelowna Information

Members of the group got here out in droves Saturday to indicate their assist for many who’ve been working to scrub up the Okanagan’s backcountry over the previous a number of years.

The Okanagan Forest Process Pressure, based by Kane Blake, held its first fundraiser Saturday at AH Restore off Beaver Lake Highway. Since founding OFTF in 2016, Blake says they’ve pulled greater than 600,000 kilos of rubbish from the native woods.

Blake stated it was unbelievable to see the assist his group has acquired from the broader group.

“It takes a group to all come collectively and make a distinction,” he stated. “I inform folks, I’ll have began it however with out the entire group’s assist, it will simply be one man within the backcountry making an attempt to do one thing.”

Massive White and the native 4 Wheel Drive Affiliation each donated $1,000 Saturday, and Blake stated he hoped to boost greater than $5,000 in complete. And final week, the Sentes Automotive Group pledged to match donations raised this weekend in the event that they handle to boost $5,000.

“The off-road group has helped us a lot with plenty of their off-road vans and scouting out and serving to with clean-ups and issues like that,” Blake stated.

“It’ll go in the direction of shovels, rakes, lunches for volunteers throughout clean-ups, upkeep on the tow-truck and all various things to do with preserving our backcountry clear.”

Blake began OFTF again in 2016 following a fishing journey together with his son.

“We had been going out fishing and my son stated ‘why is there a lot rubbish on this street,’ and I did not have a solution for him,” Blake stated.

“I used to be raised in a type of homes the place you possibly can both discuss it or you are able to do one thing about so we determined to do one thing about it. 600,000 kilos of rubbish later, we’re nonetheless right here plugging away.”

Blake’s efforts have even been acknowledged within the Home of Commons by native MP Dan Albas.

Those that could not make it out to Saturday’s occasion can nonetheless donate to OFTF by means of their web site.

Blake’s subsequent deliberate clean-up is ready for Could 6 on Brenda Mine Service Highway.