From 10 am to noon, we cleaned our local beach and the neighbouring park, removing more than 92 lbs (42 kg) of waste. We found lots of common shoreline cleanup items:
- > 650 cigarette butts (to be mailed off and recycled by TerraCycle)
- 300 food wrapper
- > 260 bottle caps
- about 200 food-related items (straws, stirrers, cutlery, plates, bottles, ....)
- 51 plastic strapping bands and 6-pack holders
- 376 small pieces of plastic and 57 small pieces of foam
- a fake moustache
- a pair of crutches
- some contact lenses
- a lemon
- a plastic dolphin
- a gold golf ball
Next came the complimentary BBQ and "beach trail mix" dessert. From noon to 2 pm, stations were offered to complete the Ocean Aware Challenge - including some touch tanks and other cool stuff provided by Vancouver Aquarium's AquaZone team. We explored the water cycle, learned about bycatch, measured marine animals, and tried spotting deep sea creatures through periscopes.
Everyone who came had a great time!! And earned two beautiful crests. And, best of all, cleaned up a local beach and made a difference. We're planning to organize a spring cleanup as well, so stay tuned for more details.
Thanks to all the great guiders, parents, and girls who came out to the event. Also to Mackenzie Heights District and West Coast Area for loaning us their shelters to keep dry. One Area shelter went on to have an international adventure when we loaned it to a group celebrating Chilean Independence Day (and raising funds for the recent earthquake and tsunami relief efforts).