It’s time again for the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup and several groups in the Comox Valley are helping to get this initiative off the ground locally.

Lauren Labossiere with the remains of a shopping cart from a previous clean up.

The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup started with a small team of employees and volunteers at the Vancouver Aquarium who decided to cleanup a local beach. It became a national program in 2002 and last year over 57,000 volunteers participated coast to coast (www.shorelinecleanup.ca).

Cleanups happen between September 21st and the 29th. Project Watershed along with several other groups, including Comox Valley Kayak staff, are organising cleanups this year, both private and open to the public. To find a group near you check out http://www.shorelinecleanup.ca/en/search/cleanups/fall2013.

Project Watershed has chosen to coincide their Simms Park cleanup with BC Rivers Day on Sunday, September 29th. If you are interested in participating in this cleanup meet at the Simms Park Bandstand at 10am on the 29th. Bring garbage bags, gloves and appropriate footwear (somewhat rugged, may get wet). There will be refreshments at the end as the items and amounts are tallied up.

“This event is a great way to meet people and make a noticeable difference” says Bill Heidrick Project Watershed Board member and cleanup organiser. In fact, the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup is one of the largest direct action conservation programs in Canada.