Jeff Curtis and the Founding of a Movement: Burke Mountain’s Community Cleanup Takes Root

On Face to Face, Geneviève Kyle-Lefebvre had the pleasure of sitting down with Jeff Curtis, founder of Boro and Beyond and a proud Burke Mountain resident, to discuss an emerging grassroots initiative that’s uniting the community around environmental action.

At first glance, Jeff’s mission might appear simple: pick up litter, clean trails, and encourage others to do the same. But his efforts are rooted in something deeper. A civic awareness that protecting local nature requires more than just municipal services. It takes residents who care.

“I grew up in Coquitlam and was taught to respect the land. Moving to Burke Mountain in 2020, I couldn’t ignore what I saw: trails full of litter, bears tearing open garbage, and construction waste pushed into the greenbelt,” Jeff explained. “It hit a point where we couldn’t just watch anymore. We had to act.”

With support from the City of Coquitlam’s Park Spark team, Curtis officially adopted a trail and now leads weekly cleanups. But he’s not stopping there. He’s organizing a large-scale environmental cleanup this September, complete with school involvement, bear awareness education, and youth volunteer hours. Sheffield Park will serve as the hub for what Jeff hopes becomes a Tri-Cities tradition.

“There’s so much nature in this part of the city. We should be leaders in how we care for it,” he said. “Education is key. If we can teach kids that picking up garbage is cool and normal, the next generation will be better stewards than we ever were.”

The impact goes beyond trash bags. Curtis’s efforts are already inspiring partnerships with local schools, developers, and the Burke Mountain Residents Association. Talks are underway to bring in music, face painting, and even ice cream to reward young helpers.

“This isn’t just about cleaning up,” Jeff emphasized. “It’s about building pride. When you make people feel connected to the place they live, they start protecting it in their own way.”

By combining civic engagement, environmental education, and a neighborly spirit, Jeff Curtis is turning a local concern into a city-wide call to action.

To learn how to adopt a trail or volunteer for the Burke Mountain cleanup event, visit the City of Coquitlam’s Park Spark program or contact Jeff directly at boroandbeyond@gmail.com.