BCWF Watershed Team

The impact of our consumer products is far greater than we realize. 

In the Fraser River estuary, we’ve already lost over 80% of tidal marsh habitat due to industry, development, and overall degradation. This loss has had a significant, often unrealized, impact on salmon, birds, marine mammals, and other species. With a finite amount of vital habitat remaining, debris removal lays the foundation for greater awareness. Though seemingly small-scale, it also promotes more extensive conservation efforts. 

“There is an endless supply of debris flowing down the river,” says Haiden MacDonald, BCWF’s Fish Habitat Restoration Coordinator. “Through our Fraser River Tidal Marsh Clean-up project, we have made an immediate and significant impact. Yet it often feels like a game of catch-up against the continuous influx of debris from various sources. The more people involved, the better the outcomes.” 

This past spring and summer, the Fraser River Tidal Marsh Clean-up field crew hosted two community events with partners including the Invasive Species Council of BC and the Tsawwassen First Nation. 

“A lot of the volunteers are people from neighborhoods close to the river who just assumed that the area would always be littered with garbage,” said MacDonald. “After taking part in the cleanup, they really started to see the estuary in a new light, as a place they can and should care for. It would be great if they could take this newfound inspiration to their friends and family and either start or join future cleanup events.” 

The benefits to the community include raising awareness and involving people who might not usually participate in conservation work. Given the growing interest in shoreline clean-up initiatives, our crew wanted to share some tips on how to start your own clean-up event while we wait for the Fraser River Tidal Marsh Clean-up project to restart! 

Community Clean-up Event Tips: 

So, you want to start a clean-up event? That’s great! Shoreline clean-ups are an effective way to steward your local ecosystems, reduce pollution, and foster a sense of community. Here are five tips to make sure your event isn’t rubbish!

1. Stay Safe — Health risks are a no-go for any event. Sharp objects, needles, large debris and many other objects can cause injury, disease or worse. Make sure that everyone understands the following:

• The hazards present in the area
• The risks of unsafe collection activity
• The need to wear proper protective equipment including work gloves, closed-toed shoes, waders, sunscreen, plenty of drinking water, hats, raingear, a sharps container and always a first aid kit

2. Start Small — The beauty of clean-up events is that you can make them big or small. The Fraser River Tidal Marsh Clean-up crew designed events that limited litter picking to about an hour. This timeframe could be smaller or larger, depending on your group and the project goal. The size of the event will dictate the method of waste disposal at the end.

3. Remember Rewards — Volunteer events don’t motivate people through salary, but it never hurts to use rewards to your advantage.  A few top reasons Canadians volunteer include contributing to their community, getting to use their skills and experiences, and being personally affected by the cause. Some things that have worked well at BCWF Clean-up events were small giveaways and teaching participants new skills and knowledge. Rewarding volunteers can help everyone have a great time. It can also increase the likelihood of people coming back for the next event!

4. Allow Accessibility — Many people may want to help with your clean-up event but can’t due to various barriers. Consider factors such as physical ability, mental health, financial constraints, proximity to the site and transit options, and age-appropriate work. Ensuring your event accommodates these needs and supports your volunteers will enhance the success of your event. 

5. Find Feedback — When your event is done, ask for feedback from volunteers. Discovering why the volunteer event meant something to participants and receiving constructive criticism is important. We recommend asking for feedback right after the event while the memory is fresh in their minds. That way you will get the best responses to help your events improve.  

We hope these tips from the Fraser River Tidal Marsh Clean-up crew will help you develop your next clean-up event! For more information on clean-up events, search around your community or try Oceanwise’s Shoreline Clean-up page for more inspiration. Good luck!  

Get Involved with the BCWF

Looking for volunteer opportunities with the B.C. Wildlife Federation? By becoming a BCWF volunteer, you can contribute to conservation efforts in your community and make an impact that will benefit everyone, now and in the future. 

BCWF volunteers work in a variety of different capacities. They support outreach, youth programs, special events, fundraising, conservation projects, advocacy, education, administrative tasks in our Surrey office, and so much more!