The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup will partner with Environment and Climate Change Canada, leading 150 shoreline cleanups across the country on World Environment Day weekend, June 2 to 5, 2017.
Canada has been selected as the host country of this year’s World Environment Day. As we gear up to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation, the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup is encouraging Canadians to lead 150 cleanups on this weekend to observe Canada’s continuous efforts to protect our waters and shorelines.
In 2017, the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup has hosted 298 cleanups that have collected 7,429 kilograms of litter on 426 kilometres of Canadian shoreline. Now in its 24th year, the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, presented by Loblaw Companies Limited, is Canada’s largest conservation-based cleanup program. An initiative of the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre and WWF-Canada, it calls on Canadians from coast to coast to coast to help rehabilitate shoreline areas throughout the year. Participants are encouraged to register a shoreline cleanup in their community, anywhere that water meets land.
“World Environment Day is an ideal opportunity for Canadians to embrace nature by cleaning up our shorelines and protecting Canada’s diverse aquatic ecosystems. That is why I am delighted to partner with the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup Program on World Environment Day to take action against shoreline litter across the country,” said Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
World Environment Day celebrates positive environmental actions. Participating in the Shoreline Cleanup is a great way to make a direct difference in the health of your local waters. It also offers a firsthand opportunity to learn about the stewardship of water and the lasting impact litter has on our shoreline environments and aquatic wildlife such as turtles, seabirds, whales, and otters.
Most collected items from shoreline cleanups in 2016, couresty of the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup.
“Pollution is one of the biggest issues facing our waters today, having a significant impact on our ecosystems and aquatic life. We are asking Canadians to help keep our waters clean and healthy on World Environment Day and every other day of the year,” said Rachel Schoeler, manager of the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup.
Join the movement at ShorelineCleanup.ca. Participants registering for a shoreline cleanup on World Environment Day are also encouraged to register their event on the World Environment Day website at http://www.worldenvironmentday.global to gain global interest for the event.
