Kelli Westgate refuses to let a beloved wetland become a roadway without a fight.

Stickle Road has long been a source of debate on how to make the intersection with Highway 97 north of Vernon safer.

A variety of solutions were proposed, and shot down, before the Province decided on extending 20th Street through a wetland and that has many people up in arms.

Keli Westgate, who was a Green Party candidate in the last provincial election, is organizing a rally Saturday morning at 10 a.m. in a last-ditch effort to save the green space.

Participants are asked to meet at the trail head behind Rona.

During her election campaign, Westgate heard from a lot of people who “are not happy with the way this had been handled for many reasons.”

Westgate said not only is the wetland the last such green space in the area, it is also home to protected species.

“I had people come to me and ask if there is anything I can do,” she said.

The controversial $9.5 million project was expected to go to tender early this year, but Westgate noted that has not happened yet so it is not too late to change the plan.

The most popular solution is a stop light, but the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has repeatedly kiboshed the idea.

Westgate said a light would be the cheapest and fastest fix, but if it is not an option, she would like to see a highway roundabout installed.

She admits a roundabout would mean a reduction in speed, but vehicles would not have to come to a full stop.

She sees slowing down part of the natural progression of the area that is growing with businesses.

“I am thinking long term,” she said.