Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup

It's More than Just Trash!

The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup is part of the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC). In the past 17 years, more than 4.5 million volunteers from 120 countries, including Canada, have participated in the annual ICC. Cleanups are more than just collecting trash, they are examples of communities working together to create solutions that ensure our oceans and waterways are kept clean.

Watch the GCSC video!

The Outreach Department at the Vancouver Aquarium has been actively involved in cleaning up shorelines since 1994. From its early days as the BC Beach Cleanup, the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup has grown into a national conservation program designed to reduce aquatic debris. Each year an increasing number of communities and habitat benefit from the conservation efforts demonstrated by the cleanup’s volunteers.

The GCSC is the perfect opportunity for school groups, community groups and families to get involved in a hands-on conservation program. It provides a chance to become involved with an activity that has a real, measurable effect in the environment both locally and globally.

The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup objectives are:

• Education and Awareness - The GCSC program is designed to raise awareness and change attitudes about litter and aquatic debris. In addition, valuable data is collected during the cleanup. This is used to change legislation and design programs.

• Community Stewardship – In September of 2003, the GCSC cleaned up 477 sites in over 170 communities across Canada. The cleanup attracts a diverse group of volunteers ranging in age and background. Many of these groups clean up the same shoreline each September and demonstrate a sense of stewardship for these sites.

• Environmental Monitoring and Restoration – Removal of debris from sensitive aquatic habitats helps to restore the environment. By changing attitudes about litter, these habitats will be protected and preserved from future debris related damage.