Bertrand Creek Enhancement Society and LEPS are inviting residents to come on a treasure hunt — of sorts.
Next weekend, if all goes to plan, volunteers will be out in force, combing the banks of the salmon-bearing creek in Aldergrove and plumbing its depths in search of rubbish (see story on page 10).
No doubt they will dig up all sorts of mysterious objects, along with the usual heaps of paper, plastic and metal — the mystery being not so much what the objects are, but how they came to be there.
Truthfully, there could be almost anything down there. For some, finding out is as good a reason to go as any.
Personally, we’re fascinated by that one specific item that always seems to be in the mix.
Look at any creek running through any town anywhere and you’re almost guaranteed to find at least one.
We’re talking about the humble shopping cart.
We get that they’re easy to come by and incredibly convenient to transport, but — like pairs of running shoes strung up over power lines — their incongruous presence has left us wondering if there is more to the phenomenon than the fact that it’s fun to roll them and watch them plummet.
Probably not.
Either way, volunteers next Saturday will no doubt have their work cut out for them, hauling the heavy metal carts up the creek’s banks, along with all the other flotsam and jetsam they uncover.
It is most definitely laudable — if messy — work, and the two host groups, along with anyone who chooses to join them, are to be commended for their efforts.
Of course, the more gumboots on the ground that day, the quicker and easier it will all go.
And if you’re planning to help out, waterproof footwear is really all you need to bring, along with whatever clothes you don’t mind getting a bit grubby.
They’ll provide a good chunk of the gear, including gloves, bags and some chest waders.
It’s a great opportunity to help restore Bertrand Creek to health for the salmon that depend on it for life.
And in case that’s not enough incentive, they’ll be providing snacks.
