Gloves on, bags in hand, and community spirit high. Residents and businesses in Cranbrook and Kimberley came together last week to clean up their neighbourhoods during two Earth Week initiatives: the Springtime Spruce Up (April 22–25) and the Co-Community Clean Up (April 26).

Organized by Wildsight Kimberley Cranbrook, in partnership with the City of Cranbrook, City of Kimberley, and Mountain Phoenix Community Culture, both events aimed to rejuvenate shared spaces and encourage a deeper sense of community care.

The Springtime Spruce Up empowered local businesses, schools, and community groups to take on clean-up efforts at a time and place of their choosing during Earth Week. Business participation more than doubled from previous years, with groups receiving supplies and promotional materials to support their efforts and celebrate their involvement.

As an added incentive and to promote the team building aspect of this event, Domino’s Pizza donated a prize pack to one Spruce Up team in each community.

Many of the participating businesses not only contributed their time and effort to clean-up activities, but also helped amplify the initiative by actively promoting the event and their involvement through their social media channels. Along with schools from School Districts No. 5 and 6, these local organizations took part in the Spruce Up.

Springtime Spruce Up: Enthusiastic Business Participation

• Cranbrook Toyota
• Silver Path Financial Solutions
• Kootenay Insurance Services
• Royal LePage East Kootenay Realty (Cranbrook & Kimberley)
• Kootenay Savings Credit Union (Kimberley)
• Small Batch Family Care (Kimberley)
• Summit Church Youth Group.

“This event gave businesses a chance to take real, visible action for their communities,” said Robyn Skare, Communications Coordinator for Wildsight Kimberley Cranbrook. “It was inspiring to see so many step up and encourage others as well.”

The week wrapped up with the Co-Community Clean Up on Saturday, April 26. Volunteers of all ages came out to clean parks, streets, and green spaces. The atmosphere was upbeat and welcoming, boosted by sunny skies, return volunteers, and first-timers eager to pitch in.

A total of 14 routes were cleaned up in Kimberley with noticeably less garbage than in past years. Organizers are exploring different avenues for future clean up along the higher speed highway sections on either side of Kimberley, as safety is our number one priority.

Community groups like the Rotary Clubs of Cranbrook and Kimberley, and Kimberley Chamber of Commerce showed up in force with large groups of volunteers ready to make a difference, they infused both locations with fun and positive energy. A refreshing and encouraging sight on a sunny Saturday morning was the well organized, highly enthusiastic groups of younger folks ready and excited to make a difference in their community. We hope to see that demographic grow with this event.

Draw prizes brought extra cheer, along with awards for: Most Unique Piece of Garbage; Largest Piece of Garbage; Most Colourful Team.

Teams and individuals were encouraged to send their photos to organizers showcasing their unique and interesting finds of the day. Everything from old work boots that never missed a day to an oil barrel acting as an ant habitat. Hawaiian shirts, tie dye, and neon could be seen all over the streets of Cranbrook and Kimberley.

These generous prize donors brought smiles to many faces throughout the week and weekend. 

• Trickle Creek Golf Resort
• Encore Brewing
• Cranbrook Toyota
• Royal LePage East Kootenay Realty (Cranbrook & Kimberley)
• Kootenay Savings Credit Union (Kimberley)
• Domino’s Pizza (Cranbrook & Kimberley)
• City of Kimberley
• City of Cranbrook.

Overall, the Spruce Up week-long initiative paired with the Saturday Co-Community Clean Up, volunteers collected approximately 1,000 pounds of waste from our city streets, parks and green spaces. They covered 12 different routes in Cranbrook and 14 in Kimberley.

These events would not be possible without the charitable support from local sponsors and partners:

• GFL Environmental
• Kimberley Chamber of Commerce
• Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce
• Western Financial Place
• Brian Sondergaard Photography
• Drew Leitermen Photography
• Columbia Basin Trust
• Bavarian Home Hardware
• BC Ambulance Service.

“Every hand made a difference, whether it was a solo volunteer, a team of coworkers, or a business bringing out their staff,” said Pam Walsh, City of Kimberley. “We’re proud of what was achieved this week and excited to build even more momentum in 2026.”

Organizers are looking to grow both events in future years and encourage everyone to mark Earth Week 2026 as a time for collective care and community pride.

Wildsight Kimberley Cranbrook

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