Volunteers remove abandoned camp remnants from wilderness

Hedekar, Kramer, and Aikenhead wore gloves as they tackled bulky wooden pieces, metal parts, and broken glass. Each one worked cohesively with the other to get the job done.

“It was a squatter camp for years, and then, like usual, when something better comes along, they just abandon everything,” Aikenhead said of the campsite. “They take what they want and whatever’s left gets left. It doesn’t take long before abandoned RVs or large structures get vandalized.”

In his experience, Aikenhead said illegal dumping has decreased in the last five to 10 years, and recalled one cleanup that was particularly filthy.

“People that renovate their houses—we cleaned up one about six years ago, and it was two complete bathroom renovations,” he said. “Toilets, sinks, tubs, drywall, complete with human feces.”

This year, Aikenhead said his cleanups have consisted of one illegal dump, with the rest being mostly abandoned homeless sites.

“Unfortunately, in a couple of the camps that I know of, there are very strong signs of addiction and crime,” he elaborated. “I don’t have a problem with homeless people, but I’m sorry, the crime and the mess I do have a problem with.”

At Sunday’s cleanup, the trio collected approximately 470 kg of junk.

Image: L. Gomes / PML / Chris Hedekar at work.

Image: L. Gomes / PML / Derrick Kramer at work.

Image: L. Gomes / PML / An abandoned tank.

Image: L. Gomes / PML / Approximately 470 kg of junk was collected on Sunday, August 28.

by Laurice Gomes

Volunteers remove abandoned camp remnants from wilderness

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