Okanagan diver cleaning up neighborhood ecosystem, offers unique view of underwater litter – Okanagan

Couple points defeat floating down the cool, refreshing waters of Penticton’s channel on a hot summertime working day, and one particular Okanagan resident is performing his most effective to hold it cleanse and thriving.

David Pennylegion has been selecting up rubbish carelessly tossed or unintentionally dropped into the beloved waterway, and elevating recognition about the will need to care for character.

To day, Pennylegion suggests he’s scooped up scads of empty cans and bottles, around a dozen cellphones, browsing carts, glass, outfits and far more.

“I went swimming right here, possibly four a long time in the past, in the (Penticton) channel, and I found that there’s loads of garbage. And the rubbish gets piled up,” mentioned Pennylegion, who has a YouTube channel that exhibits his dives.

“So it interferes with the stream, resulting in it to overflow in some spots and can also cause incidents.”

Pennylegion states protecting freshwater habitats is a sizeable motivator.

“The refreshing waters are extremely crucial for salmon and unique styles of fish that occur by here,” claimed Pennylegion.

“I’m attempting to get the phrase out that freshwater is just as vital as the oceans. There are ecosystems, there is fish, there’s wildlife that go by means of this stuff. So it is just as significant.”

A licensed diver, Pennylegion movies his underwater adventures to offer a scarce seem at what truly lies beneath the surface.

“First time I did it, I imagined not absolutely everyone can do this sort of issue. And not everybody can see what is underwater. But it interests a lot of men and women. So I like to present them what is underwater, what is less than their household,” reported Pennylegion.

“Also, I needed to movie it just to present how terrible it genuinely is. And how negative the damage can be.”

Pennylegion doesn’t just dive the channel he also visits other area waters, like Okanagan Lake, Skaha Lake and the north conclusion of Kelowna.

The largest merchandise he’s pulled up to day? An empty protected.

Pennylegion feels this is an opportunity to do some good whilst also supplying back to the neighborhood. As a result, he returns quite a few of his dropped finds to their rightful proprietors.

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“I normally try out and return the valuables,” he mentioned. “I’ve returned a lot of sun shades, seriously awesome ones, far too. There were being some seriously wonderful Burberry kinds, and they were being like $500, and I obtained them back to the operator.”

Pennylegion, who has a total-time position, takes advantage of his weekends and time off to go after his enthusiasm for diving and cleansing up the natural environment – which can only be accomplished all through summer.

“Right now, I’m doing the job 10 hrs a working day,” claimed Pennylegion, “so I’m only acquiring weekends and my family vacation time to do it. So that is a challenge.”

Having said that, he stays driven and the Penticton resident has many suggestions to raise environmental recognition. He also hopes one day that his diving services won’t be needed.

“Hopefully, people today understand that they are performing a great deal of destruction to their house,” claimed Pennylegion, “and to the place they like to vacation to.”

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