In April 2022, Don White and helper Aaron took out 80 cubic yards of trash (including trailers, boats and tires) from local trails and backwoods between Egmont to Halfmoon Bay. This was done on their own time and expense using their equipment. Not only are dump sites unsightly to everyone, they pose environmental hazards.
The SCRD then provided special free Good Samaritan Landfill Passes for this trash at a significant savings.
PH Hikers extend a huge THANK YOU to this contribution in ridding our trails of such garbage and to the SCRD for allowing it to be processed at no cost.
The Pender Harbour Hikers cooperate closely with the Pender Harbour and Area Residents Association. Since 2015, under the umbrella of the Association, PH Hikers have been installing trail signage throughout Pender Harbour. There are 5 large kiosks of all the trails in Pender Harbour plus 4 more area-specific kiosks. Additionally, individual trail markers have been enhanced and repair work is a continuing effort. These are ongoing projects largely thanks to a generous grant from the Sunshine Coast Community Forest. www.phara.ca/
In 2017, PH Hikers cooperated with A & A Trading to install information signage about the company's operations in Pender Harbour. These signs help educate trail and forest users about what has happened, what is happening, and the future plans for the area. www.aatrading.com/
Additionally, we carry out our own fundraising efforts in returning bottles and cans. PH Hikers has an account with GRIPS in Pender Harbour so anyone who wishes to donate their bottle refunds to us can do so at the depot. Just let the cashier know to credit your refund to PH Hikers. www.return-it.ca/locations/grips/
Keeping our communities clean
The 2023 fall Trash Bash was sponsored by the SCRD and held on September 16 with 43 volunteers coming out to clean up 43 sites from Middlepoint to Egmont. In the end, 4,830 kg of waste was collected and included 8 appliances, 86 tires, wood waste, electronic waste, furniture, metal and household garbage. Afterwards, the SCRD provided volunteers with lunch. A very BIG thank you to sponsors and volunteers who came from the Sunshine Coast Off-Road Club, AJM Disposal, BC Natural Resources Officers, Bc Conservation Service, Salish Soils and of course, the SCRD.
We are very grateful to the SCRD which continues to donate free passes at the Pender Harbour Transfer Station for unloading all the roadside and backwoods trash PH Hikers collect.