Sheila Kerr has been named Peachland含羞草研究社檚 Unsung Hero.

She was recognized for her efforts as a community leader at the district含羞草研究社檚 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.

含羞草研究社淚 recognize that the challenges that our habitat and our environment are facing are human-caused,含羞草研究社� Kerr said. 含羞草研究社淢aybe not by me or you personally, but they are problems created by humans, and animals can含羞草研究社檛 fix them.含羞草研究社�

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

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

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

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

含羞草研究社淚t introduces invasive species to our backcountry, which can cause many problems, and it helps to fuel wildfires,含羞草研究社� 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含羞草研究社檚 watershed