Cleaning up West Beach on Christian Island
By Sharon Weatherall
BEAUSOLEIL FIRST NATION – West Beach on Christian Island is debris-free thanks to an energetic group of students and community members who took on the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup challenge this past weekend. The national cleanup is part of an initiative started by the Vancouver Aquarium in 1994.
The local project was headed by two high school teachers from Penetanguishene Secondary School (PSS) – Paul Wilson and Andrew Thompson, along with Sylvia Norton-Sutherland, student support worker between Beausoleil First Nation (BFN) and local high schools.
“I thought it would be an interesting initiative to get rolling – we have never done it before and I would like to see continue,” said Wilson.
“My wife and I are always on the bay and enjoy all aspects of it so I thought this would be a great project to involve the school. I think it will be a good first effort to build momentum.”
Aquatic debris is one of the biggest threats currently facing our oceans and waterways. Fortunately, this is a problem that ban be tackled hands-on. By participating in the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup (GCSC) participants can actually see the impact they’ve had over the course of a single day.
In 2012, the Shoreline Cleanup celebrated its 19th anniversary with more than 57,000 volunteers, and expanded the spring cleanup to include school groups in Ontario and British Columbia. Today, it is recognized as one of the largest direct action conservation programs, as well as the most significant contributor to the International Coastal Cleanup in Canada.
Paul Wilson approached Norton-Sutherland after finding that Christian Island was one of the sites registered throughout the province in the GCSC and it was available. After talking to the principal at the school a plan was coordinated with the band and the island Lands Department. A busload of PSS participants joined some community members to take part in the cleanup on Saturday September 27th. The project involved separating the garbage and keeping track on data sheets of the debris collected including cigarette butts, plastic bottles, paper and other trash. The records will be sent back to the GCSC data base for research purposes.
Students received community hours for participation but agreed they were looking forward to the project at beautiful West Beach on Christian Island.
Jessica Shiderman says she has been living in the area for a while and wanted to clean up the shoreline and preserve the environment.
“It is a good way to earn some community hours for school and a good opportunity to visit Christian Island,” said the PSS student.
Students Taylor Jones and Erin Mattice both agree it is important to keep the shoreline clean to ensure the water stays clean.
“We wanted to be involved to help clean it up – someone needs to do it,” said Mattice.
BFN member and PSS student Willow Smith was one of several Christian Island residents happy to get involved.
“This is my land –- I am native and I wanted to help clean up and contribute through this project,” said Smith.
Norton-Sutherland was pleased with the turnout and thankful for the beautiful weather for the cleanup. She was also very impressed with the initiative taken by PSS to take part in the project.
“This is something that makes PSS a great school to come out to the island and participate. The school’s relationship building has always been something to be proud of. PSS is a little school with a big heart,” said Norton-Sutherland.
“Last year four kids from BFN were involved in water workshops across the country and that’s why Christian Island was included on the internet as one of the GCSC sites. I would like to make this an annual event by doing a spring and fall clean-up. I would also like to thank the Lands Department for helping out and hosting a hot lunch BBQ for everyone afterwards.”
In 2002, the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup emerged as a national program, providing all Canadians the opportunity to make a difference in their local communities. Cleanups started appearing in every province and territory.
Over the following years, the program continued to expand its reach and influence, aided by the support of sponsors, donors, and partners (such as WWF Canada, who became a full partner of the Shoreline Cleanup in 2010).
Public support and interest in the program also grew as Canadians gradually became more aware of the harmful effects of shoreline litter on both fragile aquatic ecosystems and people. For more information visit http://www.shorelinecleanup.ca/