2025 Pocket Ashtrays of SMF's Green River Collective!

Hey everyone, Andee here - I am raising funds today, tomorrow, and for the foreseeable future for a cause close to home - The Pocket Ashtrays of the Green River Collective (GRC) team at Shambhala Music Festival BC (SMF). If you want a Pocket Ashtray and don't have cash, you're in the right place! On behalf of the GRC, I thank you.

AND if you have EVER floated the river at Shambhala; ever lost a sandal, a joint, a lighter, a phone, a piece of fruit... a unicorn floatie... Yeah, I think you might want to consider just making a general donation to this incredible remediation initiative! And if donating isn't your thing, please share to your page!

Pocket Ashtrays cost money, and they protect local biodiversity! Please use this GoFundMe as a cashless way to offer a sliding scale donation of $5-$50 for SMF 2025 Pocket Ashtrays, for you and your friends to do right by the river!

For over a decade, Scott Dale (GRC Founder and Manager) has been ensuring the Salmo River is clean and safe for the mayfly, fishies, and local bio-diversity post SMF. Every year, Shambhala gets a little bigger and the guests become newer and newer - sharing information on how to protect this little piece of paradise is paramount, and who engages that education? The GRC Team!

GRC Mission

Educate Shambhala Music Festival attendees about the Salmo River Ranch’s natural ecosystem and inspire them to reduce their impact on it.

GRC Story

In 2010, festival-goers were evacuated from the river when someone mysteriously dyed the water green. Amidst the chaos, Scott Dale, a passionate fly fisherman and festival attendee since 2004, was keenly watching the fish when he noticed a gentleman walking along the river with a group of festival workers. He decided to introduce himself and offer a helping hand.

The gentleman turned out to be Rick Bundschuh, the property owner and ‘Dad’ of the farm. Rick being a fisherman himself, the two got to telling fish stories. After nearly an hour of chatting, Rick invited Scott to return to the farm to go fly fishing after the festival.

Weeks later Scott returned to the Ranch. Although the fishing was fantastic, he couldn’t help but notice the litter sprawled across the banks. He decided to take action and clean up the river. This experience sparked an idea to educate festival-goers about the delicate river ecosystem and how to reduce their impact on it.

In 2011, after many email exchanges with festival organizers, the Green River Collective was founded to continue cleanup efforts during and after the festival.

In 2012, the GRC launched the “Respect the River” campaign. They put up signage from local parks, distributed buttons and stickers, and encouraged people to be environmentally conscious.

In 2014, they began providing Pocket Ashtrays via Jack Elliman's Brain Garden - the leading distributor of pocket ashtrays in North America.

Over the years, the GRC’s work has garnered support from volunteers, festival veterans, and the Shambhala community. They have witnessed the growth of environmental awareness and the restoration of invertebrates, fish, and other animal populations firsthand!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A G A I N... If you have EVER floated the Salmo at Shambhala; ever lost a sandal, a joint, a lighter, a phone, a piece of fruit... Yeah, I think you might want to consider making a $$ donation to this incredible remediation initiative. And if donating isn't your thing, please share to your page, mentioning what you LOVE about Salmo Swimming on a hot Shambhala Saturday!

Congratulations, you are hereby an honorary member of the Green River Collective. NO SOAP IN THE RIVER <3

h A p P y s H a M b H a L a !