Sheila Kerr has been named Peachland鈥檚 Unsung Hero.

She was recognized for her efforts as a community leader at the district鈥檚 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.

鈥淚 recognize that the challenges that our habitat and our environment are facing are human-caused,鈥� Kerr said. 鈥淢aybe not by me or you personally, but they are problems created by humans, and animals can鈥檛 fix them.鈥�

Kerr said we all have a responsibility to keep our forests clean, 鈥渁nd that鈥檚 one of the reasons that the Okanagan Forest Task Force exists鈥� We鈥檙e all humans on this planet and we all have to take care of it and clean up our mess.鈥�

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

鈥淎bandoned campfires are a huge issue. Last year during fire season, I think the Okanagan Forest Task Force extinguished something like 300 abandoned campfires鈥� I can鈥檛 believe I have to say it, but there I was just the other day putting out somebody鈥檚 fire.鈥�

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

鈥淚t introduces invasive species to our backcountry, which can cause many problems, and it helps to fuel wildfires,鈥� 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鈥檚 watershed