Riverbank cleanup needs a traffic cop
By Patricia Lane & Parker Morrison | October 23rd 2023
Parker Morrison is leading her communityβs efforts in Kamloops, B.C., to get rusted cars out of a bank on the Thompson River.
For decades, Kamloops residents have been unable to persuade the municipality or the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) to take responsibility for clearing out the toxic debris. This 17-year-old is a recipient of the Institute for Sustainable Education and Action (I-SEA) 2023 Youth Climate Activism Award for succeeding in getting things moving.
Tell us about your project.
In the 1970s, it was common to use old cars to shore up riverbanks. Unsurprisingly, since the bank has eroded and they are still there, they spill out onto a public path and the beach in our Centennial Park. The debris is unsightly and dangerous for pedestrians and wildlife. It should be removed and disposed of safely so we can implement nature-based solutions, such as riparian restoration and planting native trees to control erosion.