Shoreline Spotlight: Angela Riley

A Nova Scotian Ocean Warrior making a difference

Ocean Wise is excited to shine the spotlight on an incredible volunteer from Nova Scotia, Angela Riley, who completed dozens of beach cleanups in 2020 with the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. Angela founded Scotian Shores to make the shorelines of Nova Scotia cleaner and to create a positive change. She shares her thoughts and motivations with us.

Why do you take part in the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup?

My name is Angela Riley and I am an #OceanWarrior. I am someone who decided to take a stand and do something about the plastics, fishing gear and other debris that litters our beautiful oceans. My two children, their future and the health of our Earth are the biggest reasons I continue with my work.

How long have you been involved in the program?

Over the last year I have connected with many shoreline cleanup organizations that have the same mission I do. It has been uplifting to meet so many others who are trying to make a difference. The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup is one of them and I am happy to collect data for the program because they are Canadian, just like me!

I have been cleaning litter my whole life but have noticed it has become more than just a problem- it has developed into a crisis. So I started a small social enterprise called Scotian Shores to be part of the solution. We sell products that help fund our cleanups throughout Nova Scotia. In about 7 months my team of #OceanWarriors and volunteers have removed over 9,000 kg of garbage by hosting large cleanups and going out as much as we can to clean the shorelines.

We clean all around Nova Scotia and aim to motivate others to join our mission. We do this by hosting contests, large scale cleanups, sharing successes, creating connections and creating awareness with different trash art installations. I’ve always believed that by staying positive we can make a bigger difference and inspire others to be positive too. Together we can make a difference – one pound at a time.

Way to go Angela! You are making a difference for the ocean and planet.

Get involved and clean your local shoreline: www.shorelinecleanup.ca.