The Watts family did their part on Sunday during the Red Deer River Cleanup. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

river cleanup

Citizens shore up trash deposited in local waterways

Jun 9, 2019 | 3:29 PM

Just 24 hours after World Oceans Day, Red Deerians took to their city’s trails, creeks and river to take part in the annual Red Deer River Cleanup.

Put on by the Kerry Wood Nature Centre and Waskasoo Environmental Education Society (WEES), the cleanup encourages citizens to think about how we can keep our natural areas litter-free. It also happens to take place during The City of Red Deer’s Green Deer initiative.

“If we don’t take care of our waterways, then we are shutting down everything essential for the environment to grow and thrive,” says Tanya Wells, Public Programs Coordinator at the nature centre.

“Look at the oceans and the amount of micro-pieces of plastic that are gathering from decades ago; if we pollute them anymore, we’re not going to have fish and everything below fish on the food chain. Then our birds of prey will suffer, and when they do, so does everything else. It’s a never-ending circle.”

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(rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

Past river cleanups in Red Deer have yielded everything from needles to mattresses and shopping carts to bikes and everyday trash.

In 2018, participants collected around 160 bags of garbage and 40 bags of recyclable materials.

“Anything unnatural, our wildlife unfortunately may consume, and if they do, they become ill, unhealthy and can possibly pass away,” says Wells, also pointing out the Red Deer River is where residents get their water from.

“We’re releasing chemicals into the environment that shouldn’t be there, and while some habitats can adjust, most can’t. Species are going to start disappearing at a much higher rate.”

All participants in the cleanup are given the necessary gear, including safety equipment such as sharps containers.

A styrofoam cup sits abandoned in one of the many tributaries that lead into the Red Deer River. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

The event’s partners include The City of Red Deer, NOVA Chemicals, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, and Trout Unlimited Canada.

A similar event, the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, is set for September 8.