It's B.C. Rivers Day on Sunday, and this weekend, the Miami River Streamkeepers will once again host a Great Canadian Shoreline cleanup in Harrison Hot Springs. The public is invited to participate on Saturday, September 24.
Last year, 47027 Canadians cleaned 98,071 kilos of litter from 2,235 kilometres of shoreline. The top five 2010 litter items were cigarette butts (227,830), food wrappers (83,660), plastic bags (55,880), caps and lids (55,443) and disposable cutlery and dishes (28,755).
The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup is a national program. It is presented by Loblaw Companies Limited and is supported by The Home Depot Canada Foundation and Molson Canadian Red Leaf Project as national sponsors. Go to www.ShorelineCleanup.ca for further information.
The GCSC recently released a list of its most and least littered shorelines across Canada, based on results from the 2010 cleanup. Where are some of Canada’s cleanest and dirtiest shorelines? Three shorelines in B.C. qualified amongst the five dirtiest. Included are Kanaka Creek Regional Park in Maple Ridge, Tom Hopkins Ravine Park in Surrey and Brownsville Bar on the Fraser River. Harrison Hot Springs, thank goodness, did not make that list but it didn’t make the cleanest list either despite the efforts of many residents who routinely pick up garbage.
Canada’s shorelines obviously need some help. To make Harrison’s shoreline clean and healthy for the residents and wildlife, plan to help out at this year’s Shoreline Cleanup, Saturday, September 24, from 10 a.m. to noon. No registration is required but participants sign a waiver on arrival. Meet at Spirit Square to help clean the beach from Rendall Park to the Hot Springs Source. Some gloves and bags are available but people are encouraged to bring their own. The Village of Harrison Hot Springs supplies tables, tents and large collection bags for the assembled garbage. Educational displays and refreshments will be on site.
The Miami River Streamkeepers are part of the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation, a non-profit society committed to supporting community groups involved in Streamkeeping activities. MRSk routinely monitor the Miami River shared greenway to remove invasive plants and litter New members are welcome. Call 604-796-9182 to join.