Did you know the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup is an initiative of the Vancouver Aquarium? From local roots, it spread across Canada and joined other international efforts. Another important feature – the cleanup is part of a citizen science approach to understanding our waterways. From streams and lakes to the ocean, Canada has lots of shorelines, and they all benefit from some TLC to alleviate pollution.
Back to April 6 and Locarno Beach. Our valiant environmental superheroes tackled garbage both large and small, from pieces of heavy wooden bedframe down to hundreds of tiny cigarette butts. So much for Vancouver bylaws about "no smoking in parks and beaches."
Showing lots of determination, the cleanup crew picked up a total of 30 kg of trash and recycling. That included:
• 272 cigarette butts
• 16 cans & bottles
• 178 food wrappers
• 291 pieces of plastic
• 32 straws
• 12 balloons
• 12 pieces of clothing (shoes, socks, swimsuits), and much more.
The strangest items? An abandoned drone, a bike lock, and several silver stick-on fingernails.
Our 47 participants get the glow of a job well-done plus a nifty crest (with an orca) to be sent out by Shoreline Cleanup. Join us for the next one in 2020!