Image Credit: Parker Morrison

By Silvia Senna

RIVERBANK POLLUTION

Kamloops teen spearheads effort to clear riverbanks of rusted cars

Oct 28, 2023 | 5:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — An 18-year-old Kamloops resident is leading her community to get rusted vehicles out of the North Thompson riverbank in Westsyde. Parker Morrison’s plan involves a long-term solution.

“There’s so much erosion over there. I want to implement something called Low-Tech Process Restoration. That means taking native plants, like willow trees and cottonwoods, with a strong wood structure to uphold the bank, to make it a lot more resilient to erosion,” Morrison explained.

She hopes to bring this project to city council next year. However, her goal is to expand beyond Westsyde.

“I want to make a riverbank, the whole [river-wide] plan to ensure that there’s less erosion. I want to clean up the cars everywhere. It’s very optimistic. I don’t care how long it takes. I want it done,” she said.

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Morrison is not the only one concerned about riverbank pollution. Kamloops city council has approved a notice of motion to have staff report back regarding a beach cleaning plan.

“Similar to what we have now with ‘Adopt a Road’ program and the ‘Adopt a Trail’ program, there will be an ‘Adopt a Creek’ or ‘Adopt a River’ program, where individuals can sign up to do that and really take ownership of keeping our lands clean,” explained Councillor Mike O’Reilly.

He said the city will be involved, but it is important for the community to come together.

“We can’t do that on our own. We need the help of the community. We need the help of 100,000 people that we have to keep our areas clean. And I think it will benefit the entire community… We need the manpower of our citizens to help get behind that,” he said.

In the meantime, Morrison hopes her initiative will inspire more people to care for the environment and she leaves a message for those who want to follow her steps. “If you’re not passionate about a project, is never going to happen. I think sticking to your gut and just being like, ‘Hey, I want this to happen.'”