Five reasons to join the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup in 2016

The spring thaw will soon reveal the litter that has piled up over the winter. So it’s time to roll up your sleeves for a spring cleaning with the annual Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, presented by Loblaw. The cleanup is a joint conservation initiative of Vancouver Aquarium and WWF-Canada.
Here are five reasons to register your site or find a cleanup happening in your community at ShorelineCleanup.ca.

1.You get to be part of something huge

© Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup
© Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup

Now in its 22nd year, with the number of volunteers increasing each year, the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup is the largest conservation cleanup program in the country and still growing. The data we collect is the only Canadian contributor to the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup.

2. We’ve got a lot of litter on our shores, in every location, in every season

© Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup
© Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup

Last year alone, 59,136 Canadians answered our call and helped keep 175,932 kilograms of litter out of our water systems. The amount of garbage we remove from the shorelines grows each year. Litter is not slowing down so neither can we. With the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, it’s easy to be part of the solution to help clean our home.

3. You get to be a super hero

© Ken Mak / WWF-Canada
© Ken Mak / WWF-Canada

As a site coordinator, you can show your commitment to environmental responsibility in a way that is unique to you. Many of our returning site coordinators express how easy and flexible it is to organize small cleanups, while others mobilize their local community with cleanup events, creating challenges and activities, such as awarding volunteers for finding unique items.

4. A cleaner environment is a healthy environment

© Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup
© Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup / The Canadian Press Images / Stephanie Lake

By participating in a cleanup, you are helping keep ecosystems healthier and safer for people. But the impact goes beyond that. Enjoying nature in a clean environment has a positive impact on ourselves and loved ones. Being in nature is an effective way to relieve stress and improve well-being. People are more likely to get out and be physically active when they live in neighborhoods with less litter. Let’s do our part and give back by freshening up these areas we enjoy so much.

5. We’ve made it easy for you to organize and participate in a cleanup in your community

© Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup
© Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup

Cleanups can take place any time of the year, anywhere land connects to water. Throughout the year, there are ways to get out, get active and celebrate nature with the people with whom you live, work and learn. Need help choosing a date? Organize your cleanup during one of our nationwide celebrations:

  • Schoolyard Cleanup Week: April 15 – 22
  • Park Cleanup Week: June 3 – 10
  • Corporate Cleanup Week: July 8 – 15
  • Youth Cleanup Week: Sept 16 – 23

Not to worry if you’re unable to roll up your sleeves on these dates. The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup is year-round. We welcome you to clean and protect the shorelines and schoolyards you love all year with your family, friends, coworkers and classmates.