Meet the Site Coordinators of the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup: Megan Van Buskirk

WWF
  • Students, you can get your classmates/clubs/friends together
  • Parents, you can entertain your kids and have them learn an important environmental lesson all at once
  • Nostalgic grads, you can get all of your former classmates back together for a few hours of rewarding fun

 
How, you ask? Sign up for the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup!
Megan Van Buskirk from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon is president of the Environmental Studies Student Association.  They are an interdisciplinary club with students in the Environmental Sciences (and anyone interested) who get involved in all sorts of environmental initiatives.  Last year, they had so much fun cleaning up their local shoreline that they’re doing it again this year! Megan is the site coordinator and has some insight for you here:

(c) Megan Van Buskirk
Q: When and how did you first get involved in the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup?
A: Last year was the first year that ESSA got involved in the Cleanup. We had so much fun that I decided to sign us up again!
Q: What is your favorite thing about this initiative?
A: My favorite thing is that it is nation-wide. It feels so great to be a part of something bigger than my club or this city! I also really like to see how excited people get to help the environment, even in small ways.
Q: How do you encourage people in your community to get involved in cleanups?
 
A: The great thing about the University of Saskatchewan is that sustainability is a large part of student life. I think a lot of students already care about sustainability and the environment, and initiatives like the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup help students get involved and feel good without having to invest too much time.
Otherwise, I think just making it easy for students really helps motivate them to come out. For example, we provide gloves and bags, so everyone just has to show up and help out! Also, emailing our members and making Facebook events raises awareness about the events we put on, such as this cleanup.
Q: Do you have any tips for new site coordinators?
 
A: I think the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup has a really user-friendly website and that makes it easy to sign up as a site coordinator and get ready to plan the event! I guess my best tip for new site coordinators is to not be afraid to tell everyone you know about the cleanup. It may surprise some people how much interest there is in participating in a garbage cleanup!
I bet that if the coordinators just talked to some friends, family members, students, and maybe even Girl Guide units in their city, a lot of people would help out! It’s also good to be at the site early and be ready to answer questions, get the permission forms signed, and hand out the bags, gloves, and tally cards that are sent out.

As Megan says, “Even though it’s picking up garbage, we all had a lot of fun!” So have some environmentally friendly fun with all of your friends and family from September 17th to the 25th. Sign up today and if you refer four friends you will be eligible to win an iPad2 with Wi-Fi!