As a year filled with political turmoil and a global pandemic, 2020 was certainly full of challenges. Although the ocean is not immune to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 was great for our shorelines and the ocean in other ways. As a result of fewer people driving, travelling, commuting and most services being at a standstill in the earlier months of 2020, the environment was finally … Continued
In 2020, oceans and freshwaters across Canada received great news. The federal government announced a ban on six types of single-use plastics, coming into effect in 2021. Part of the data used to inform this decision came from litter data collected by the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup a conservation partnership of Ocean Wise and WWF-Canada. … Continued
Shorelines across the country are shining a little brighter In September, the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup challenged Canadians to come together while apart in a Cleanup Across Canada challenge, in celebration of International Coastal Cleanup month. Canadians enthusiastically joined the call, leading solo and small team cleanups and challenging their friends, families and colleagues into action on … Continued
This year the challenge is bigger than ever! The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup is challenging Canadians to come together — while apart — in a “Cleanup Across Canada”, where participants can challenge a friend or small team to a friendly cleanup competition. In celebration of International Coastal Cleanup month, this challenge will run through September until mid-October. What are … Continued
Plastic litter is a critical issue facing all of Canada’s waterways in communities across the country, from lakes and rivers to every ocean coastline. Unfortunately, much of the plastic waste that ends up in the environment are single-use items (e.g. straws, coffee cups, plastic food wrappers etc.). Communities can be part of the solution. The … Continued
Canada joins international group of 22 countries to protect ocean Canada is an ocean nation with the longest coastline in the world. And Canadians rely on healthy marine ecosystems to sustain our economy, our food supply, and our coastal communities. That is why this month’s news that Canada has joined the Global Ocean Alliance is so … Continued
We’ve missed you! After putting cleanups on hold for nearly four months, the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup will relaunch on July 14th to solo, household and small team cleanups. In March, the program asked volunteers to cancel or postpone their shoreline cleanups for volunteer safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that an estimated 84,000 … Continued
Connor Garrod is a photographer and an alumnus of the Ocean Bridge program Art has a way of bringing hope even through difficult times. Seeing our shorelines littered with trash is always very depressing to me. I find it so senseless that people cannot find the proper places to dispose of their waste, even when … Continued
Teaming up to cleanup always makes for great results. When senior and executive leaders from Westminster Savings Credit Union and Prospera Credit Union met at the White Rock pier, they did not expect the amount of litter they would find. Shoreline litter is unsightly, not to mention it can be harmful to wildlife, but the … Continued
An outstanding number of Canadians of all ages took to their shorelines in support of healthy waterways this year. The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup saw record-breaking numbers of cleanups happening from coast to coast. Thank you! What a way to celebrate our 26th year! As the numbers start to roll in, we see that our … Continued
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Ocean Wise is based in the traditional and unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We work across Turtle Island and beyond, supporting Indigenous peoples in their vital work on ocean conservation and biodiversity whenever possible or as we are invited to.