Protect Okanagan Forests

Hi, my name is Shelby Langelaan and I'm fundraising for Okanagan Forest Task Force on behalf of M&M Performance.

The Okanagan Forest Task Force is a registered non-profit, representing a group of locals who are outdoor enthusiasts and want to protect the incredible nature that surrounds us in the Okanagan Valley.

One of my first interactions with Kane from Okanagan Forest Task Force was during this summer's devastating fire storm that rapidly spread across the Okanagan Valley. Kane and his team were assisting local fire departments on the front line of the wildfire and quite literally saving homes in my neighbourhood. Coming off of many days with minimal/no sleep, Kane and his team continued to respond to calls for help as many of us waited anxiously, watching the fire activity. Our team at M&M Performance, and so many others that we spoke to wanted to help, but we weren't sure where to start...

After speaking with Okanagan Forest Task Force, we learned that they desperately needed an off-road unit to be able to better respond to not only these emergent situations, but also in their daily operations of removing the garbage and debris that are destroying our forests. Responding to dumped and stolen vehicle fires are a common occurrence, and can quickly spread to forest fires - having a dedicated off-road unit properly equipped would greatly help in preventing out of control fires in our back country.

Conservatively, OFTF has removed 726,335 lbs (and counting) of garbage and metal from our forests and regularly organizes community clean up efforts. Whether you enjoy hiking, camping, utilizing riding trails or any other activity in our beautiful back country, supporting OFTF's efforts will help ensure it stays safe and enjoyable for everyone.

Our goal is to provide Okanagan Forest Task Force with a dedicated off-road unit that will greatly increase their efficiency and ease in keeping our forests clean and responding to emergency situations. The off-road unit will shorten response time, allow access to areas that would not be possible in a vehicle or on foot and will broaden the reach of OFTF's efforts. By being able to safely and efficiently reach these areas, our forests and back country will greatly benefit.

As a business in the motorsports industry, we are often exploring recreational areas and riding trails. We see first hand how the garbage and illegal dumping affects our much loved riding areas. Not only is it incredibly frustrating to see, but it's also a huge safety concern for riders.

Please consider supporting this cause to protect our forests, recreational areas and riding trails.