Owen Sound and Partners Lead the Way: Ontario's First Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup Announced

Owen Sound is making environmental history as one of six communities selected to host Ontario's first-ever Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup. The City has partnered with the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative for this groundbreaking event, made possible by an $85,000 grant from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks through Ontario's Great Lakes Local Action Fund. 

This World Rivers Day, September 28th, Owen Sound will join partner cities Thunder Bay, Chatham-Kent, Collingwood, Cobourg, and Kingston in mobilizing more than 250 volunteers across the province to collect up to 200 kilograms of litter from beaches, parks, and shoreline areas along the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. 

The City of Owen Sound will work with volunteers from Summerfolk to provide supplies and train volunteers for this historic conservation effort that spans Lakes Superior, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. 

It is estimated that 22 million pounds of plastic enter the Great Lakes each year, threatening a source of drinking water for more than 40 million Canadians and Americans. Owen Sound's participation in these shoreline cleanups helps reduce pollution at the source while raising awareness about the impact of waste and litter in our lakes and rivers. 

In addition to the Government of Ontario's generous support, the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative recognizes the financial and in-kind support provided by Owen Sound and other participating municipalities, along with Greenland Consulting Engineers. 

Quotes 

“Owen Sound is proud to join this first-ever Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup. As a Georgian Bay community, we know how vital these waters are to our environment and economy. This collaborative effort with five other municipalities shows what we can achieve when we work together to protect our shared Great Lakes heritage. Our volunteers are ready to make a real difference on World Rivers Day, fostering a culture of stewardship that will benefit future generations.”  

• Mayor Ian Boddy 

“Our government is proud to support the first-ever Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup- a fantastic community initiative to clean plastic and litter from local beaches, parks and shorelines across the province. By investing in this project led by the Cities Initiative, the Great Lakes Local Action Fund is making a lasting impact on the health of lakes and rivers in Ontario, contributing to stronger, healthier communities- now and for the future.” 

• Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks  

“We thank the Government of Ontario for their generous support, along with the six participating communities, to host the province’s first Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup. This investment shows the Province of Ontario’s and these communities’ engagement and passion for protecting our most precious freshwater resources. We hope this clean up will be the first of a growing annual movement across Ontario and all the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.” 

• Mayor Mat Siscoe, Co-Chair of the Cities Initiative and Mayor of St. Catharines  

For more information, please contact Heidi Jennen, Supervisor of Environmental Services at 519-376-4440 ext. 3223 or email hjennen@owensound.ca  

Quick Facts: 

• The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative is a multinational coalition of municipal and Indigenous government executives representing communities in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Region who are working to promote economic prosperity in our communities and protect our fresh water for the benefit of current and future generations. With more than 350 member communities, the Cities Initiative is leading the way in advancing the environmental, economic, and social health of the region by addressing issues impacting its residents. 

• For media inquires: Jacque Edwards, Director of Marketing and Communications, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, jedwards@glslcities.org 

• To support or get involved in the Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup: Phil Murphy- Rheaume, Canadian Managing Director, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, phillipe.murphy-rheaume@glslcities.org 

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