Kettle Island Clean-up - October 20, 2007

Ottawa Riverkeeper rallied over 70 volunteers to cleanup the western tip of Kettle Island on October 20th. This alluvial island is situated in the Ottawa River between the cities of Gatineau, Quebec and Ottawa, Ontario.

Debris had been pilling up over the past decade and the shameful mess was brought to the attention of Ottawa Riverkeeper. Ottawa Riverkeeper worked with local businesses and community groups to haul 4-5 TONNES of garbage off the island. Interesting garbage included a quarter of a car, a burned out moped, an old hand pistol, many propane canisters, bottles, scrap steel, tires, a kitchen sink… and much more.

At the end of the day, The Nature Conservancy of Canada posted signs to remind people to respect the flood-tolerant habitats of the island. Ottawa Riverkeeper will be working with locals and recreational boaters to promote stewardship of the uninhabited island.

We would like to thank Laurel Rosene, the volunteer event coordinator and our project partners:

Bowater, CREDDO and The Nature Conservancy of Canada
Ottawa New Edinburg Club, Club des Ornithologues de l’Outaouais, City of Gatineau
MEC, Trailhead, Ozile’s Marina and Tackle Shop, Camp de Base, lifewithoutplastic.com, Paddle Shack
Sobeys Kanata, Loblaws Gatineau
1st Glen Cairn Venturers,YMCA-YWCA Canoe Camping Club, Brebner Repairs and Manufacturing

In the news:
Nettoyage de l’île Kettle : Conservation de la Nature Canada s’implique
Kettle Island Cleanup: Nature Conservancy of Canada gets involved

all pictures by Alan Todd