Cleanup continues in memory of man who disappeared from Kelowna backcountry 3 years ago

A nearly two-month long cleanup effort in Kelowna’s back country continues in honour of a man who went missing from the area about three years ago.

The Okanagan Forest Task Force (OFTF) has cleaned up two sites since the group started its effort at the end of August and a third cleanup effort is planned for Nov. 5, according to OFTF spokesperson Kane Blake.

“We are planning on cleaning up what’s left from the sad disappearance of Terrance Michael Landon,” Blake said in a news release.

It was on Dec. 26, 2013 that Landon went missing, leaving behind a truck and camper trailer, which has been the target of vandalism time and time again, according to Blake.

“The truck has been shot at and the trailer has been trashed and ripped apart,” Blake said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The truck has been shot at and the trailer has been trashed and ripped apart," Blake said.

Blake said the group has noticed an increasing amount of garbage near the area where Landon went missing from and that’s what sparked the cleanup effort.

He said about 15 people participated in the first cleanup and there were about 25 who came out for the second one; the group is hoping for even more on Nov. 5.

Blake said anyone interested in helping can meet the group at James Lake at 9 a.m. on Nov. 5.

“We also have a couple other places in the area that we will be trying to clean up as well that have been the scene of illegal dumping,” Blake said.

He said it’s a somber task, but one that is worthwhile.

“We are doing this cleanup with sadness in our hearts and him in our thoughts,” Blake said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We are doing this cleanup with sadness in our hearts and him in our thoughts," Blake said.

“Somebody just recently demolished the trailer, ripped the frame out from underneath it and there’s other stuff along the road like couches and mattresses that have been dumped at the banks,” Blake said.

OFTF is a relatively new non-profit in the Okanagan; Blake said the group’s goal is to bring awareness to illegal dumping.

READ MORE: Volunteers take a stand against litter bugs in Kelowna

For more information, you can visit the Okanagan Forest Task Force Facebook page or send an email to okanaganforesttaskforce@gmail.com.