Accessibility and Access Keys [0]
EMC News – Everyone who enjoys the waterfront is invited to be part of a national effort to improve Canada’s shorelines. The Constance and Buckham’s Bay communities are taking part in the national Shoreline Cleanup event, hosted by the Vancouver Aquarium and the World Wildlife Federation.
Local coordinator Hank Jones, Ottawa Riverwatcher for Torbolton Reach says, “everyone can participate in our afternoon Constance Bay Shoreline Cleanup.”
The event starts at 1 p.m. in the Constance Bay Community Centre, 262 Len Purcell Drive, Sunday Sept. 26.
“Spend a fun day at the bay,” says Jones. “Join us in our Torbolton Reach’s afternoon de-littering event along the Constance Bay shoreline.”
Jones is hopeful that family, friends, neighbours and passersby will take part in the activity.
“Our Cleanup event can sign off as High School Community Service hours for students.”
The Constance Bay team will collect and document its litter finds for the national ‘Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup’, Canada’s contribution to the Ocean Conservancy’s annual global ‘International Coastal Cleanup’ program.
“Our litter data will be compiled with that from others all across Canada by the Vancouver Aquarium and World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and submitted to the global program, to be compiled with that from countries all around the world,” says Jones.
People can sign up online for the cleanup event by going to the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup site at http://shorelinecleanup.ca/en/user/register/4B9C2C-5914 and completing the form.
“Let us know you have signed on,” advises Jones. “Tell our event publicist Vera Jones at 613-832-2745 or email her at vera@veratika.com, or both.”
Jones adds that his wife Vera “is the mastermind who suggested our event.”
There are a number of keys ways people can make the day even more successful:
Jones suggests emailing family, friends or neighbours that might want join the cleanup activities.
He adds that commercial businesses might “donate cleanup supplies such as clear trash bags, clip boards for data recording, or snacks and drinks.”
For those who want to help out but would rather support the cause than pick up the trash, Jones says there are opportunities to “underwrite the printing of our public poster and brochure, and help us place these where they will get the most attention and response.”
He says people can also take on an administrative task such as being the field data recording person for one of the collecting teams. Volunteers are also needed to help run the sign in desk, making sure everyone signs the waiver sheet.
“You can also be an event photographer, helping document activities in the headquarters or at the shoreline with pictures, or help coordinate the weigh-in when teams return from their collecting.”
The team will gather the datasheets from the returning teams to ensure all efforts are recorded as part of the national effort.
“If anyone would enjoy participating in the senior management of the event, we also need a Front Desk Manager for our ‘sign-in/sign waiver’ desk at the front door, an Exhibits Manager for our exhibits table, and a Weigh Station Manager at the litter weigh-in station.”
He said a Photography Desk Manager is required to manage the photographic permissions desk to ensure that all photographers and subjects sign permissions for the public use of the photographs. Finally, a Field Data manager is needed for field data sheet distribution, collection and aggregation.
All volunteers will receive a briefing from Jones prior to the event.
“I will encourage our managers to recruit any assistants they feel might need,” he added.
The Constance and Buckham’s Bay Community Association has committed to supporting the cleanup as the City of Ottawa’s fall cleanup campaign.
“Don’t wait, sign up right now!” advises Jones. “We need all the help we can get to ensure we do our part for the national shoreline cleanup.”
David Johnston is a freelance writer currently on assignment for the EMC.