The Annual Bow River Clean Up 2012

Bow River Clean-up A Success

I was out wandering the banks of the Bow River today checking on the water clarity. What a nice day it was to stroll along the banks and take in the rays of sunshine. I had my camera with me and was taking pictures of the river when I spotted several people picking up garbage along the river bank. I would have been one of those volunteers if I would have known about the river clean up before today. It amazes me on just how much rubbish gets tossed out of car windows and onto the streets, then ends up in our river systems as a result. Why can’t we take the time to throw our trash into the garbage at home or into a garbage can when we are out and about?

I stopped a lady beside the river and asked if I could take her picture of her and her team cleaning up all the trash along the river today, she kindly said yes so I snapped a few pictures. In 2011, almost 10,000 pounds of garbage was collected – including five bikes, six tires and three shopping carts! I am curious what volunteers will pull out of our water ways this season. From what I saw in one small little area of the river bank, it should possibly be more trash collected this year than last.

The Pathway and River Cleanup is hosted by The City of Calgary Parks and is sponsored by Tim Horton’s, Stantec, Encana, Calgary Area Outdoor Council, Waste Management, Matrix Solutions Inc. and the Alberta Beverage Container Recycling Corporation. Other City of Calgary supporters include Community Neighborhood Services, Animal and Bylaw Services, the Calgary Fire Department, Waste and Recycling Services, Water Services and the Calgary Police Service.

If we all do our part and throw our garbage into is rightful location, namely the garbage can, Calgary’s water ways will thrive for many generations to come. Its resident population of trout will survive and tourists will flock to our clean city by the droves. I ask each of you to do your part and keep our river clean and free of rubbish! Use the trash cans provided for us by the city if we walk along the Bow River pathways. Don’t toss trash out of your car window, keep it in a bag in your vehicle until you arrive home and then discard it when you get home. Our trout population thanks you in advance for your cooperation.