Creating green shores together
Shawn Ryan and his family carry their trash bags at the beach clean up in Point Pelee. (photo by: Emma Butler)
The responsibility for saving the planet does not fall to just one generation.
Families and people of all ages gathered Sept. 15 at the Point Pelee Sanctuary Beach to participate in a beach cleanup. Point Pelee National Park has held many cleanups related to Earth Day, but this was the first ever beach cleanup connected to the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup.
The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup is a national conservation program across Canada that allows Canadians the opportunity to help remove litter from freshwater shores. This is the first year this organization’s cleanups have taken place at Point Pelee.
Corrine Ross, one of the event’s coordinators, said she was thrilled to see families coming out to help and support.
“The thing that makes me feel like it’s a success is seeing the families bringing their children out,” said Ross. “They feel it’s important to teach their children to pick up garbage.”
Hundreds of visitors contribute to this green initiative throughout the year. Earth Day is also a huge event at Point Pelee last year more than 100 people volunteered to pick up litter.
“Our visitors are very dedicated. They’ll pick up garbage, they’ll ask for supplies when they see janitors,” said Ross. “So there are most likely people picking up garbage in the park and other locations as well.”
Shawn Ryan, Shandal Goyette and their four children attended their second Point Pelee beach cleanup. The family attended last year’s Earth Day cleanup and claimed that last year was a better year.
The family heard about the cleanup through Facebook and wanted to get involved. Since this was the first Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup day the family was shocked to see fewer people than last year.
“The turnout here today isn’t that great,” said Goyette. “I think it’s due to the flies and last time it was for Earth Day, so maybe more people wanted to do something good on Earth Day.”
Workers at Point Pelee say they will be doing this event again for Earth Day and the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup.
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