Given the evolving and quickly changing state of the world, I almost forgot it was a long weekend. Now that I live in beautiful downtown NOTL, I was quickly reminded by the traffic of both vehicles, bikers, and pedestrians alike. It was sincerely pleasant, some sort of unidentifiable relief over seeing things looking back to normal, whatever normal is.
Attached to this thought of social rejuvenation comes the thought of how our local environment is being impacted by the countless gatherings, picnics, and hangouts here in town. This is an old story coming to the surface again, but it doesn’t mean it’s a theme that should be ignored.
Increased human volume in town generally correlates with increased litter and garbage accumulation. It’s an observable and statistical fact. In this week’s article, I will explain where this garbage ends up, and how you can help clean it up. It’s not cliche — follow through to the end of this article and see how you can help on Sept. 18.
Some of the litter is truly an accident. Things slip out of our pockets, or blow out of the dumpster during a gust of wind.
Other litter is spread about by animals. My last article was about raccoons as masters of our urban environment. Even if garbage is properly disposed of, it remains as a sitting and stinking duck, if you will. Birds, squirrels, and foxes are also opportunistic toward our trash, and there are examples in local parks where you can see what gets dragged or flicked around.
Lastly but sadly, there is another category of litter that can only be attached to lazy or intentional human behaviour. This one is always perplexing to me.
Someone clearly enjoyed this space for its beauty, scenery, and accommodating nature. That’s why they stopped for a family picnic or a snack break. If they have the will to trash the very area they just enjoyed, perhaps they need some basic environmental education, or, perhaps Mom still cleans up after them at home.
No matter how the litter gets distributed in ways that it shouldn’t, here is where I’ve found it most in my unending outdoor travels.
Forest edges act like giant combs for blowing or littered garbage. They provide a break-wall where a lot of the dirty debris ends its journey, so it tends to really accumulate at the edge of farm fields and parks adjacent to these woodlots.
The old saying “everything flows downstream” is true with litter. I often find litter in creeks, particularly where natural blockages occur. The collection of water bottles, plastic bags, and tennis balls can be found in Two or Four Mile Creek, and anywhere in southern Ontario.
Although not as naturalized as a typical creek, a ditch is a depression in the land that collects a depressing amount of garbage. It happens to catch litter at its end travels, but it is also a target for lazy roadside littering sessions. On that note, parking lots adjacent to recreational parks also seem to be an area of high density garbage.
Despite the efforts of local citizens and environmental groups, there is still lots to be tackled in terms of cleanup.
Since Grade 7, I have been cleaning up NOTL’s garbage with my buddies. From high school onward, I started making these cleanups public events. Now, I’ve had the opportunity to co-organize a cleanup with the town’s Environmental Advisory Committee. Here is a NOTL garbage cleanup that you, your, family and friends can assist with this month.
Date and time: Saturday, Sept 18 from 9 to 11 a.m. Stay as long or as little as you’d like — every bit helps.
Locations: Browns Point Park, on the Niagara River Parkway, and Smuggler’s Cove parking lot, also on the Niagara River Parkway, at the end of East and West Line.
You are not obligated to pick up anything you don’t want to, or venture into a spot you’re not comfortable with. All the town is looking for is eager hands and hearts for this cleanup. We will supply the gloves and bags — you bring the willingness to help. Hopefully I’ll see you there!
x
Given the evolving and quickly changing state of the world, I almost forgot it was a long weekend. Now that I live in beautiful downtown NOTL, I was quickly reminded by the traffic of both vehicles, bikers, and pedestrians alike. It was sincerely pleasant, some sort of unidentifiable relief over seeing things looking back to normal, whatever normal is.
Attached to this thought of social rejuvenation comes the thought of how our local environment is being impacted by the countless gatherings, picnics, and hangouts here in town. This is an old story coming to the surface again, but it doesn’t mean it’s a theme that should be ignored.
Increased human volume in town generally correlates with increased litter and garbage accumulation. It’s an observable and statistical fact. In this week’s article, I will explain where this garbage ends up, and how you can help clean it up. It’s not cliche — follow through to the end of this article and see how you can help on Sept. 18.
Some of the litter is truly an accident. Things slip out of our pockets, or blow out of the dumpster during a gust of wind.
Other litter is spread about by animals. My last article was about raccoons as masters of our urban environment. Even if garbage is properly disposed of, it remains as a sitting and stinking duck, if you will. Birds, squirrels, and foxes are also opportunistic toward our trash, and there are examples in local parks where you can see what gets dragged or flicked around.
Lastly but sadly, there is another category of litter that can only be attached to lazy or intentional human behaviour. This one is always perplexing to me.
Someone clearly enjoyed this space for its beauty, scenery, and accommodating nature. That’s why they stopped for a family picnic or a snack break. If they have the will to trash the very area they just enjoyed, perhaps they need some basic environmental education, or, perhaps Mom still cleans up after them at home.
No matter how the litter gets distributed in ways that it shouldn’t, here is where I’ve found it most in my unending outdoor travels.
Forest edges act like giant combs for blowing or littered garbage. They provide a break-wall where a lot of the dirty debris ends its journey, so it tends to really accumulate at the edge of farm fields and parks adjacent to these woodlots.
The old saying “everything flows downstream” is true with litter. I often find litter in creeks, particularly where natural blockages occur. The collection of water bottles, plastic bags, and tennis balls can be found in Two or Four Mile Creek, and anywhere in southern Ontario.
Although not as naturalized as a typical creek, a ditch is a depression in the land that collects a depressing amount of garbage. It happens to catch litter at its end travels, but it is also a target for lazy roadside littering sessions. On that note, parking lots adjacent to recreational parks also seem to be an area of high density garbage.
Despite the efforts of local citizens and environmental groups, there is still lots to be tackled in terms of cleanup.
Since Grade 7, I have been cleaning up NOTL’s garbage with my buddies. From high school onward, I started making these cleanups public events. Now, I’ve had the opportunity to co-organize a cleanup with the town’s Environmental Advisory Committee. Here is a NOTL garbage cleanup that you, your, family and friends can assist with this month.
Date and time: Saturday, Sept 18 from 9 to 11 a.m. Stay as long or as little as you’d like — every bit helps.
Locations: Browns Point Park, on the Niagara River Parkway, and Smuggler’s Cove parking lot, also on the Niagara River Parkway, at the end of East and West Line.
You are not obligated to pick up anything you don’t want to, or venture into a spot you’re not comfortable with. All the town is looking for is eager hands and hearts for this cleanup. We will supply the gloves and bags — you bring the willingness to help. Hopefully I’ll see you there!
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