Meet the site coordinators of the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup: Paula McGrath

By Stephanie Morgan
Communications Intern
Last year, 98,071 kg of litter was removed from shorelines across Canada during the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup.  That took a lot of people pitching in at their local shorelines; and with a lot of people, comes a lot of organizing.  One of our wonderful site coordinators has taken the time to answers a few questions and give a bit of advice to new site coordinators.
Q: When and how did you first get involved in the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup?
A: “I first got involved a few years ago with my Beaver Colony. It was something different to get my children involved in.  We always had a cleanup once or twice a year around our meeting place/school.  We even took part in ‘adopt a highway’ when we had our Cub Pack up and running.  This year marks 20 years involved with the youth here on Fogo Island.”
Q: What is your favorite thing about this initiative?
A: “It gets the children outside in the fresh air and it is teaching them about keeping their community clean.”
Q: How do you encourage people in your community to get involved in cleanups?
A: “This year we had a huge group of children, which got parents, grandparents, neighbors, etc. out to help. Last year was the first time we did two sites and it worked out great.  It shows the other members of the communities that we are out there helping our environment and making sure our communities are kept clean.”
Q: Do you have any tips for new site coordinators?
A: Be actively involved.  Start with the children and the adults will tag along.
There you have it – wise words from an experienced coordinator.  If this sounds like something you’d like to try your hand at, sign up to be a site coordinator.  If you’d rather just be a part of the fun without having to do the organizing, join a group in your area today!