Prince George, B.C. – The Spruce City Wildlife Association (SCWA) is hoping “to put the beautiful back into beautiful B.C.” and could use your help.

SCWA director Steve Hamilton says they’re organizing a spring cleanup of Prince George’s back country.

“It was something I proposed to Spruce City Wildlife last fall and it was unanimously passed by all our members,” he says. “We were waiting until the snow melts and spring means good roads, good weather and are possibly looking at the first weekend of May.”

Photos courtesy Spruce City Wildlife Association

Hamilton, who spends a lot of time in the back country, says many would be shocked by what he’s seen.

“There’s household garbage, vehicles, campers, appliances, furniture, burned out cars, bottles, recyclables, metals, mattresses,” he says.

“This morning I was out and I saw a hot water tank. It’s just willful dumping and disregard for the environment and we need to get a handle on it.”

Hamilton has already been approached by several sponsors, including REAPS, who plan to help with tipping fees, gloves, and garbage bags.

He says Waste Management will donate bins, Wood Wheaton with vehicles to transfer volunteers to affected areas, Brandt Tractor who plan to donate some heavy equipment, and PG Portable Toilets.

Hamilton says they’re waiting to gather a consensus before picking which areas to focus on but notes some areas are particularly bad, including Pineview, some areas around Tabor Mountain and the North Nechako area.

“This affects everyone and everything including habitat, fish, wildlife, trees, lakes and rivers. And once we’ve cleaned an area we’d like to keep it that way.”

Anyone interested in volunteering or learning more can check out their Facebook page (created by Eric Hounsell) called ‘PG area back road clean up’ or by emailing info@scwa.bc.ca.