Meet the Site Coordinators of the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup: Shaninne Corkum

Shaninne Corkum, from Eagle Head, in Queens County Nova Scotia, was taught about the importance of keeping the environment healthy in grade five.  Now, among many other initiatives, she organizes cleanups for the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup every year to do her part!

A proud community with their ‘loot’ (c) Shaninne Corkum
Read on to find out more about her and an exciting turn of events in question three:
 
Q: When and how did you first get involved in the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup?
A: I first got involved with the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup 3 years ago. I saw a small article in our local newspaper (The Queens County Advance) and decided to organize a cleanup site at my community beach, Eagle Head Beach.
Q: What is your favorite thing about this initiative?
A: I have been very interested and active in doing my part in maintaining a healthy environment since my 5th grade teacher organized a class trip which focused on the environment and the importance of everyone doing their part in keeping it clean and healthy (Greenkeepers I believe the name was).
When I saw the article about the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, I had just had a child of my own and thought this would be a great opportunity to be an active role model for my child and other parents for their children. To me, one of the most important ways to make change is to educate and involve children. At the clean-ups that I organize, I try to involve and include children as much as possible. Each year, more families participate! We are a child- and pet-friendly cleanup, and community members have the same views on involving their children/grandchildren.

Q: How do you encourage people in your community to get involved in cleanups?
 
A: I advertise through local media: the newspaper, websites, a Facebook event page, and signs throughout the community. I also offer refreshments to the participants (donated by our local Atlantic Superstore) and highlight the opportunity to collect participation certificates which are great for people’s portfolios (especially for students).
An additional advantage my cleanup had last year was that a photographer from Canadian Geographic Magazine chose my cleanup site to feature in this year’s June issue promoting the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup! Dan Doucette (the photographer) came to the cleanup to interview and photograph the participants. This was something I mentioned when advertising for last year’s cleanup – I thought the hype of a respected magazine would encourage more people to join. It worked, but regardless of what I do or offer, my community members truly want to be involved and continue to come every year.

Q: Do you have any tips for new site coordinators?
 
A: As far as tips, look for sponsors to donate materials and/or refreshments, know how to quickly explain what to do, and get everything organized before the actual cleanup date.

Words of advice from an enthusiastic, dedicated, and now rather famous (!) site coordinator.  If you still need to be convinced after reading that, refer four of your friends after you sign up today and you will be eligible to win an iPad2 with Wi-Fi!