Canada's Parks Day falls on July 16'th this year. First
celebrated in 1990, Parks Day is an opportunity for
individuals to participate in hundreds of unique and fun
events taking place in sites from coast to coast. Events are
organized in national parks, national historic sites,
provincial parks, and territorial parks, as well as in
community and regional parks across the country.
Increasingly regulated and restricted, the dwindling islands
we like to call parks are more precious than we could
possibly realize. Although having a special day to honor
them is fantastic, there really should be a year-round
awareness to maintain and keep them clean and garbage
free. When we make an effort to keep trails and waterways
clean we see measurable results in a healthier and safer
environment for wildlife and humans alike to enjoy. Many
communities rely on tourism and a clean pristine park will
entice tourists to return and mention it to others.
Parks and trails with trash bins are less likely to have litter
lying around the grounds. Get in the habit of always packing
a supply of bags to pick up any stray litter you might find
along the way. Rather than walking by trash and fretting
about it ? pick it up and be proactive! It is surprising how
good it begins to feel when you make a difference.
Eighty percent of the waste found in waterways (streams,
creeks, rivers, swamps, lakes and oceans) originates from
inland sources. Rivers act like a vortex pulling in debris
through air and water currents and can carry it thousands of
miles further along its path. Cities on or near these
waterways have a responsibility to be even more diligent of
pollution as they are more likely to 'share' with unwilling
populations downstream of them.
Highways and roads are also convenient corridors for loose
garbage to travel upon. Natural wind and breezes caused by
traffic can pull in a vast amount of junk. We can take action
and help to decrease this. Starting in your own yard, do you
see loose garbage along your street and alley bordering
your yard that needs to be cleaned up? Also, encourage
friends, neighbors and businesses to keep garbage bin lids
securely closed to prevent litter escaping to the wind. When
carrying loads in vehicles, make sure the load is covered so
debris does not fall out along the way. Another pro-active
option to consider is stream and swamp clean up projects
in urban areas. These are often supported by businesses
and cities through the donation of garbage bags, supplies,
media coverage, trash removal and occasionally,
volunteers.
Maybe if there were enough of us continually cleaning up the
areas we inhabit, the whole world would resemble a park.
Happy Parks Day?
Written by Dave and Lillian Brummet based on the
concept of their book, Trash Talk. The book offers useful
solutions for the individual to reduce waste and better
manage resources. A guide for anyone concerned about
their impact on the environment.
(http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit)