The wetland area in the Tunnel Area of Princeton known as Cormack Marsh was named in honour of Robert Bremner Cormack, a dedicated member of the community who passed away in 2013.
Again this year, to help preserve the area, local Kelley Cook organized an Earth Day celebration. Joining Cook on April 22, (Earth Day) are; Natasha Lukey, Hilary Sampson and Alyson Skinner of the Okanagan-Similkameen Stewardship Society, members of the Vermilion Forks Field Naturalists, students from John Allison and Vermilion Forks schools, members of the Princeton Arts Council, Princeton Sierra’s Fire Crew and the Princeton Rotary Club.
In the late afternoon, Princeton Girl Guides, Sparks and Brownies, along with their Ambassador Buddies, joined the celebration at Cormack Marsh.
Beginning at 10 a.m., participants engaged in six rotating stations throughout the day. Garbage pick up, noxious weed pulling, wetland planting and the installation of wire protection around the trees.
The students were treated to bird-watching via the Naturalists and to assisting with the installation of bird and bat houses courtesy of Smokey the Bear and Princeton’s Sierra Fire Crew. (the crew made the bird and bat houses)
Nick Matheson of the Sierra Fire Crew says that the crew enjoys their community engagement.
“Kelley ties us into the community and has kept us busy for the last seven years—it is awesome for us to be involved,” he said.
The children worked hard all day, right along side the adults present. “They are all just awesome,” said Kelley Cook.
The day long, celebratory - work event went on till 6 p.m., after dinner was served courtesy of Princeton Subway.
Three truck loads of garbage and 2 truck loads of napweed were removed from the site and over 100 plants/trees native to the area were planted.
Much appreciation goes out to the Earth Day Sponsors; Kelley Cook and Vic Sagorski, the Vermilion Forks Field Naturalists, the ladies of the Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship Society for their expertise and to the society for supplying the plants for the children, Fletcher Building Supply for supplies, Town of Princeton for the tent and organizational support, to the Princeton Sierra Crew, First Choice/Septic Service for the donation of the outhouse for the day, CSQ Environmental and Jack Thomas for supplying cottonwood cuttings, Girl Guides of Canada Tree Planting Grant Program in Partnership with TD Friends of the Environment Foundation for the grant to purchase trees and bushes and to Princeton Subway for providing the Sparks, Brownies and Guides with supper.