June 11, 2004

300 Toronto students pose for aerial photo to launch cleanup of canada's shorelines

Toronto, ON: More than 300 school children gathered at the Eastern Beaches in Toronto today, to officially launch the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, a Vancouver Aquarium conservation initiative; presented by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.

Today, in a mere 45 minutes, the kids collected more than 20 kilograms of garbage to kick off registration for the 2004 cleanup.   Among the debris collected were more than 10,000 cigarette butts, 4,000 of which were collected by one class of grade eights alone.

The kids then made an art formation in the shape of a loon, with a written message to Cleanup Canada . They were then photographed from above with aerial photography and video footage courtesy of the Toronto Regional Conservation Authority. The kids all brought litter-less lunches with them as well, leaving the beaches cleaner than they found them.

Each year, the Vancouver Aquarium organizes the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup as part of the International Coastal Cleanup. The effort will see more than 25,000 volunteers take to river, stream, lake, ocean, and wetland across Canada this fall, September 11 through 19, 2004.

"Aquatic garbage is a serious environmental concern," said Tara Taylor, Director of Conservation Programs at the Aquarium. "Debris compromises water quality, and threatens thousands of aquatic animals that become injured or killed each year due to ingestion, or entanglement."

"This aerial photo event is a great example of how easy and fun it can be to join together make a positive and impactful message regarding aquatic environments across the country," said Gavin Thompson, Director of National Operations, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. "We   encourage all family members - young and old - to get involved in clean-up events within their communities and help make this September's initiative the most successful to date.

Last year 20,000 volunteers rid our nation's shorelines of nearly 50,000 kilograms of garbage from 969.6 kilometers of shoreline.   Cleanups took place in communities from British Columbia to Newfoundland, and as far north as the Yukon.

The Aquarium's goal is that the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup will help to change attitudes and behaviors about garbage; to make Canadians think twice before throwing a wrapper out of their car window or 'butting out' on the street.

The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, presented by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation is a free participation event. To volunteer for the 2004 cleanup, visit the Aquarium's website at www.vanaqua.org .                   

For further information, please contact: Angela Nielsen, Vancouver Aquarium 604-659-3516

Simon Townsend, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation 416-944-7161              

Please note: Aerial B-roll and photography are available