Photo: OFTF file photo

This crushed vehicle was hauled from the bush on Postill Lake Road.

A volunteer community group that combats illegal dumping in the Central Okanagan is coming out of a busy year, and 2021 looks like it will be no different.

Since July 2020, the Okanagan Forest Task Force has helped in the ticketing of around 60 people for illegal for dumping in the backcountry. Big White’s donation of the purchase of trail cameras has allowed the group to monitor many dumping hot spots along forest service roads.

“Cameras typically get checked once a week, and that’s when investigations are triggered,” said group founder Kane Blake.

“In a single week, some cameras capture upwards of 3,500 photos. We have a few long-time members in various areas around the Okanagan who help monitor cameras, analyze photos, and gather evidence. All evidence is then turned over to the Conservation Office for further analysis and possible prosecutions which can include hefty fines. The group has also used drones to locate dump sites and photograph them.”

Kane says illegal dumping remains a massive problem for the region with some common dump sites getting hit up to three times a week.

“The volunteer turnout was amazing in 2020, and was a big reason why our cleanup events were so successful, even with Covid guidelines in place. We were even able to live-stream one of the cleanup events via drone-footage for other members to watch," explained Blake.

Since the creation of the group in 2016, OFTF has cleaned upwards of 300,000 pounds of illegally dumped garbage from our backcountry.

“It’s our hope that our continued efforts in this New Year will help keep the backcountry clean and enjoyable for all,” Kane added.