Sheila Kerr has been named Peachland害羞草研究所檚 Unsung Hero.

She was recognized for her efforts as a community leader at the district害羞草研究所檚 civic awards on April 26.

Kerr has been cleaning up the Okanagan backcountry for years and helped found the Okanagan Forest Task Force.

Thankful for the award, Kerr is using the opportunity to encourage others to do their part.

害羞草研究所淚 recognize that the challenges that our habitat and our environment are facing are human-caused,害羞草研究所� Kerr said. 害羞草研究所淢aybe not by me or you personally, but they are problems created by humans, and animals can害羞草研究所檛 fix them.害羞草研究所�

Kerr said we all have a responsibility to keep our forests clean, 害羞草研究所渁nd that害羞草研究所檚 one of the reasons that the Okanagan Forest Task Force exists害羞草研究所� We害羞草研究所檙e all humans on this planet and we all have to take care of it and clean up our mess.害羞草研究所�

On top of cleaning the backcountry, Kerr added that we need to do better when it comes to fire season.

害羞草研究所淎bandoned campfires are a huge issue. Last year during fire season, I think the Okanagan Forest Task Force extinguished something like 300 abandoned campfires害羞草研究所� I can害羞草研究所檛 believe I have to say it, but there I was just the other day putting out somebody害羞草研究所檚 fire.害羞草研究所�

Kerr also addressed the illegal dumping of yard waste in the backcountry.

害羞草研究所淚t introduces invasive species to our backcountry, which can cause many problems, and it helps to fuel wildfires,害羞草研究所� Kerr said this undermines the mitigation work done ahead of fire season.

The Unsung Hero is inviting others to get involved by joining the task force and the Peachland Watershed Protection Alliance on May 4 for a clean-up. Volunteers are asked to meet at 9:30 a.m. a the cattle guards on Princeton Avenue.

For those not able to make the event, Kerr encourages people to join the Facebook group OFTF to learn about future opportunities.

READ MORE: Clean it up, move it out of Peachland害羞草研究所檚 watershed