June 8, 2005
TD CANADA TRUST NEW TITLE SPONSOR OF GREAT CANADIAN SHORELINE CLEANUP
Vancouver, BC: Celebrating World Ocean's Day today, the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre is pleased to announce that TD Canada Trust has become the title sponsor for the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup.
Now known as the TD Canada Trust Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup , this volunteer driven environmental initiative operated by the Vancouver Aquarium reaches across the country from Tofino, BC to St. John's, Newfoundland. This year, the cleanup will run from September 10 - 18.
"TD Canada Trust is very pleased to increase our support for such an important environmental initiative," said Fred Tomczyk, Vice Chair, TD Bank Financial Group. "Thanks to a growing contingency of dedicated Canadian volunteers including many of our employees, the TD Canada Trust Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup is continually improving the well-being of lakes, rivers and other waterways in communities across this country."
The TD Canada Trust Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup began as a community beach cleanup 11 years ago in Vancouver. The Vancouver Aquarium created the program to contribute to the International Coastal Cleanup held every September around the world.
Within a few years, the cleanup initiative expanded to other provinces and became a national event. In 2004, more than 30,000 volunteers participated in the TD Canada Trust Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup at events in every province and territory, including Nunavut.
"We couldn't reach as many people as we do without the support of TD Canada Trust," said Dr. John Nightingale, President of the Vancouver Aquarium. "Our shared interest in conservation and the environment has allowed this program to grow into one of Canada's largest environmental action events."
Last year, 30,140 Canadians cleaned up more than 630 local rivers, lakes and wetlands, and just over 1,100 km of shorelines d uring the week of September 11 - 19. Together, they collected 64,988 kg of litter, which would have negatively impacted animals and their habitats.
All of the items collected during the cleanup are recorded and the data is returned to the Vancouver Aquarium for tallying. This information is then passed on to the Ocean Conservancy, which compiles worldwide results as part of the International Coastal Cleanup.
To register your cleanup or to volunteer, you must sign up by August 31, 2005. For more information, visit: www.vanaqua.org/cleanup .
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For further information, please contact:
Kellie Benz Brenda Jones
Publicity Liaison Acting Manager, Public Relations
TD Canada Trust Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup Vancouver Aquarium
(604) 659-3591 (604) 659-3516/cel. (604) 230-4673
