Williams Lake will be joining 12 cities across the country in celebrating the 100in1Day, this Saturday, June 2.
A global initiative aiming to inspire changes in cities across the county, the goal of 100in1Day is to compel residents to activate 100 innovative, thought-provoking ideas into interventions for their community.
Led in Williams Lake by the Invasive Species Council of British Columbia, and powered by Future Cities Canada, there will be plenty to take part in.
“It’s pretty neat to be selected across Canada to hold it in our community,” said Gail Wallin, executive director of the Invasive Species Council.
The festival will start at the River Valley Trail head from 1 to 4 p.m.
Free Grow-Me-Instead flowers will be handed out, in addition to an identification station for folks to learn different types of invasives and no-invasives. Children can decorate a funky flower pot and plant it, or bring their own to plant, and anyone with a bicycle can get it washed for free. There will also be a community weed pull to remove burdock and other invasive species along a portion of the River Valley Trail.
“I think in places like the Cariboo we already have some awareness of invasive species but it’s still a growing awareness,” said Gail Wallin, executive director of the Invasive Species Council.
Local artists Sharon Hoffman and Harry Jennings will sing “Scourge of the Cariboo,” written by Hoffman herself, a song that promises to be a highlight of the festival.
From 10 a.m. to noon, a native flower garden is being installed in an available flower bed at the Potato House, to showcase the Grow-Me-Instead options of equally beautiful and functional non-invasive plants.
“Invasive species are spread by people often unintentionally, so it’s a great way to invite people to come out and find out how to protect our lakes and land,” said Wallin, pointing to gold fish in Dragon Lake and small mouth bass in Beaver Valley as examples of invasive species that have wrecked havoc on local ecosystems.
She also points to knapweed and orange hawkweed that can be tracked around on bikes — hence the bike washing station at the event.
Any additional invasive species prevention or management activities set to take place can be registered at www.100in1day.org/city/williams_lake/.
“It’s a neat opportunity to celebrate Williams Lake and a really great opportunity to find out what people can do to make a difference in their community.”