MONTREAL, Sept. 4, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WWF-Canada and the Vancouver Aquarium would like to invite citizens to participate in the annual Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup (Shoreline Cleanup), presented by Loblaw Companies Limited.
Volunteers of all ages can register as site coordinators or join a local cleanup in their community by visiting www.shorelinecleanup.ca. The Shoreline Cleanup helps ensure the long-term health of our waters.
"We're always surprised at what and how much we find in and around our rivers, items like food wrappers, plastic bags and cigarette butts," begins Marie-Claude Lemieux, spokesperson for the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup organized by the Vancouver Aquarium and WWF. "Humans and animals are dependent on clean water for survival."
As the Shoreline Cleanup starts to ramp up, organizers hope to see record numbers of volunteers sign up to make Canada's largest community-led, volunteer-powered conservation program better than ever.
Across Québec in 2013, the Shoreline Cleanup registered 118 sites, and 3,569 registrants cleaned more than 162 km., filling 1,018 garbage bags, weighing a combined total of 9,629 kg.
Participation in the Shoreline Cleanup allows people to both reaffirm their connection with the rivers, lakes, streams and seas in their communities; and see how they can make changes in their own behaviours for a lasting effect.
To celebrate the Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup on September 20, the team of WWF-Canada invites you to join the shoreline cleanup of Verdun in Montreal Saturday, September 20 from 9:30 am. View all the details of the celebration here.
"Our colleagues are helping to make a difference this year, by removing shoreline litter in their local communities in Quebec," says Anita Jarjour, Senior Director, Corporate Affairs, Quebec, Loblaw Companies Limited (Loblaw). "The Shoreline Cleanup is a great way for all Quebecers, including our colleagues, to take positive action on the environment." This is Loblaw's fourth consecutive year presenting the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, made possible through partial proceeds from their charge-for-plastic shopping bag program.
Please sign up to coordinate a shoreline cleanup in your neighbourhood in September or October, 2014 at shorelinecleanup.ca.
The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup is one of Canada's largest direct action conservation programs, and is the most significant contributor to the International Coastal Cleanup in Canada, and is the third largest cleanup in the world.
About the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup
The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, presented by Loblaw Companies Limited, is one of the largest direct action conservation programs in Canada. A conservation initiative of the Vancouver Aquarium and WWF, the Shoreline Cleanup aims to promote understanding of shoreline litter issues by engaging Canadians to rehabilitate shoreline areas through cleanups. www.ShorelineCleanup.ca
About WWF
WWF is creating solutions to the most serious conservation challenges facing our planet, helping people and nature thrive. www.wwf.ca
About Vancouver Aquarium
The Vancouver Aquarium is a non‐profit society dedicated to the conservation of aquatic life. www.vanaqua.org
About Loblaw Companies Limited
Loblaw Companies Limited is Canada's food and pharmacy leader, the nation's largest retailer, and the majority unit holder of Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust. www.loblaw.ca