Speed River Clean Up

Want to do your bit to help protect Guelph’s rivers? The 33rd annual Speed River Clean-up, coordinated by OPIRG, takes place on June 16 2012. This year  the Clean-up is part of the inaugural Two Rivers Festival. And it’s your chance to show how much you care about the health and beauty of Guelph’s rivers.

Unfortunately there is always plenty of garbage to remove from the Speed and Eramosa rivers. Most gets there of its own accord. If left there, it will degrade the quality of the waterway. Some, like plastics, if is allowed to break down will release toxins which can have a significant effect on the long term health of the river.

Clean-up day is not just about work – it’s also about community. Once the work is done, there is a fabulous get together at the McCrae House (108 Water St.) with delicious free food, entertainment, and community displays. An opportunity to congratulate each other on a job well done.

To sign up as a Clean Up volunteer all you need to do is meet at the Royal City Park gazebo on June 16 at 11 a.m. where you will be assigned to a clean-up crew. There will be designated sections that are both child-friendly and wheelchair accessible.

OPIRG is also looking for volunteers who are willing to participate in some very specific tasks which make the Clean Up possible, including set-up, take-down and Crew leaders. Crew leaders will receive training in how to identify signs of river health and concern and river creatures. Crew leaders are expected to look out for the well-being of participants and to ensure that collected garbage is separately appropriately for pick-up.

If you would like to register as a crew leader, please get in touch with OPIRG at opirg@uoguelph.ca or 519-824-2091 before June 5.

Tagged OPIRG, Speed River Clean Up