Supplied: David Suzuki website.
A group of Kamloops youth are one of 15 finalists in the David Suzuki Foundations Future Ground Prize, which recognizes environmentally friendly initiatives for youth in BC and Ontario because of their project that is working to build a forest in the community of Aberdeen.
The Kamloops Community Forest within the traditional territory of the Secwepemc People, is led by youth between the ages of 13 and 19 from the Kamloops Hybrid Interact Club and Aberdeen Neighbourhood Association.
Project team member Georgia Morris says the forest, once planted later this fall, will create wildlife habitat, a sustainable ecosystem, and a natural fire break and cooling system in the region.
“What we want to do with this is we want to create a place where there can be more habitat for wildlife and a natural carbon sink because of course trees.”
She explains the forest, would be made up of deciduous trees, as they act as excellent carbon sinks.
“Trees take in carbon and they give out oxygen, and carbon is what they need as a part of what they would breathe in technically. But they need to grow and survive.”
At the same time, Morris explains that they plan to have Aspen Groves planted in their forest, in an effort to help play with fire protection in Kamloops.
“Tremble Aspen trees are actually a really great natural fire break against wildfires; in recent years, Kamloops has almost been burning down, we thought it would be really great to have one of these trees in the area,” she explained.
The forest will be located in the West Highland Park area near Guerin Creek, and Morris explains they will get advice from professionals on how to plant these trees so they have the best chance of surviving.
Now, Morris says their group is looking to the public for votes to help win the David Suzuki Foundations Future Ground Prize.
As of June 6, the Kamloops Community Forest project had 553 votes, however, Morris says they are hoping to reach 1000 votes by June 13.
The group who gets the most votes will take home $2,500 to put towards their project. Morris says if they win, they want to help bring a collaborative effort together for the project.
“To see we can work together and within our power, we can be empowered to take action to save our climate, to save our planet.”
To vote for the Kamloops Community Forest within the traditional territory of the Secwepemc People, click here.
A video about the initiative can be found here.
-With files from Paul James
