Lake State, Algoma U team up for shoreline cleanup event

Algoma University and Lake Superior State University are teaming up this year for Water Wise Cleanup, happening on July 17 in conjunction with the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup.

A news release distributed today by Algoma University encourages concerned citizens to choose their "favourite, most accessible or littered place at the water and commit to cleaning it up solo or as a small group, anytime between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m."

"There are 12 map locations across the Algoma District, from Wawa to Elliot Lake."

"Here at the heart of the Great Lakes, we all have freshwater stories to share," the release states. "We also have a lot to protect here in our area with only 0.3 per cent of all fresh water accessible to all living beings. The Great Lakes hold about 20 per cent of the world’s freshwater."

Full text of the news release follows:

Freshwater Wise and Blue Mar 4 Change have partnered with Lake Superior State University and Algoma University to plan their first-ever Water Wise Cleanup, taking place on Saturday, July 17, 2021. This cleanup will take place in conjunction with World Water Day, as part of the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, Ocean Wise and WWF- Canada.

The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup became a national conservation initiative in 2002 and cleanups started appearing in every province and territory. By 2003, more than 20,000 volunteers were taking part. Public support grew as Canadians became more aware of the harmful effects of shoreline litter on ecosystems, wildlife and people. In 2010, the Vancouver Aquarium began delivering the program with WWF-Canada, a strong partnership that continues today. In 2017, the Vancouver Aquarium expanded to become Ocean Wise, a global conservation organization focused on protecting and restoring our world's oceans.

The Shoreline Cleanup is now recognized as one of the largest direct action conservation programs in Canada. Ocean Wise and WWF-Canada are committed to growing the program to achieve our mission: to inspire Canadians to keep all shorelines free of litter.

This year, partners in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. and Mich. have come together to participate, and want to invite our local community and partners to take part in this critical initiative. Since 1994, there have been 27,800 cleanups that have collected more than 2 million kg of trash across Canada’s shorelines. Here at the heart of the Great Lakes, we all have freshwater stories to share. We also have a lot to protect here in our area with only 0.3 per cent of all fresh water accessible to all living beings. The Great Lakes hold about 20 per cent of the world’s freshwater. Please share your cleanups and tag us on Facebook and Instagram.

We are encouraging residents and visitors to pitch in as we clean up our shorelines on Saturday, July 17! Choose your favourite, most accessible or littered place at the water and commit to cleaning it up solo or as a small group, anytime between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. There are 12 map locations across the Algoma District, from Wawa to Elliot Lake. Choose the one closest to you and register through The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. It can be Lake Superior, Huron, the St. Marys river, or inland river lake or stream.

Registration is important so that we get a picture of participation and litter collected in our region. As citizen scientists during this cleanup, we also feed into the larger picture across Canada through the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. Together, we can make a difference.

Learn more here. Register here.