Elk Valley residents will join other communities across Canada in removing rubbish from local shorelines this weekend.
The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup is a national conservation program that aims to protect waterways and wildlife from litter.
More than 100 people are expected to take part in three cleanups being in held in Elk Valley communities on Sunday, September 30.
Elk River Alliance will host the events as part of its science and stewardship program.
“We will be cleaning up the banks of the Elk River,” said ERA Program Manager Ayla Bennett.
“Volunteers will be assigned a stretch of river to clean up and will report back on what they found. Target areas include trails along the river as well as staging areas.
“If volunteers are keen, we will also send a team to Silver Springs since this beautiful area could use a clean-up as well.”
Bennett said use of the Elk River is extensive during the summer months, which means that litter accumulates.
“Another issue people may not realize is that all storm drains ultimately connect to the Elk River, therefore, any garbage on the street will likely end up in the river,” she said.
One of the biggest problems is cigarette butts, which are regularly discarded on the street, according to Bennett.
“Since cigarette filters are not biodegradable, we often find hundreds during the clean-up,” she said.
“This is a concern as cigarettes are toxic to aquatic life.”
On Sunday, cleanups will be held in Fernie from 1-4 p.m. (meet at Annex Park), in Sparwood from 1-3 p.m. (meet at the leisure centre) and in Elkford from 10 a.m. to midday (meet at Race Trac Gas).
Volunteers should bring a reusable bucket or pail to reduce the use of plastic bags, and gloves if they have them.
Refreshments will be provided, visit Shorelinecleanup.ca to sign up.