Joint international effort to clean up river banks

SAULT STE. MARÍA - This week an international collaboration is organizing a community cleanup of the banks of the St. Marys River.

On Saturday, the Lake Superior State University's Freshwater Research and Education Center will join forces with the University of Algoma and Water Wise in Sault Ste. This is also linked to a Sugar Island cleanup organized by the Michigan United Conservation Clubs and the Bay Mills Indian Community.

"Stewardship is one of our core values ​​and sustainability is part of our strategic plan," said Dr. Rodney S. Hanley, President of Lake State. "We strive to contribute to the preservation of the environment in our region and the prosperity of our ecosystems. We encourage as many people as possible to participate in this cleanup. "

Both banks of the river contribute to the accumulation of litter on the banks. Debris and trash affect the wildlife that lives on the banks. Participants will clean up popular beach spots that are known to have a large amount of trash.

This spring, the Center for Freshwater Research and Education partnered with Water Wise and the University of Algoma at Sault Ste. For the past six weeks, a Lake State student has been organizing the event details to help bring the plan to fruition.

At 9:30 a.m., American attendees will gather in the Freshwater Research and Education Center campus building at Hillside Hall for approximately 20 minutes to learn and inquire about recycling tips from Stevie Dombrowski, a representative from the Recycling Center, Chippewa County. on issues related to invasive species. by Hadley Reed of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians Department of the Environment. Participants then split into two groups to clean up the Aune Osborn Campground and Rotary Park from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

All ages are welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Participants have the option of going alone to the bank of their choice for the whole day to clean up.

This event is held outdoors, but social distancing is practiced in accordance with the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"This is our third annual water purification event this summer, but it's the first time we've worked together internationally," said Beth Christiansen, Grands Lacs Education and Outreach Specialist at the Center for Research and Education on Freshwater. "When planning this year's international rally, we tried to clean up the river that connects us with our Canadian neighbors. We plan to continue this international focus for future events when our new building on the St. Marys River opens this fall.

Participants must wear clothing appropriate for the weather and boots are strongly recommended. Gloves, garbage bags and other cleaning products are provided for personal cleaning. At the end of the cleaning, snack bags are provided. The snack bags consist of a reusable water bottle, fruit, a granola bar and a bag of chips.

People can attend in person or "go alone" by cleaning a location of their choice. People are encouraged to register in advance to provide enough snacks and connect volunteers with event updates. You can find the registration link at www.docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeIJ8kE5ymBA6P0fVSTOIUgzRNvFzcq16HosU_EepmlZOYdJQ/viewform?usp=sf_link . However, volunteers can still meet on campus the morning of the cleanup.

Volunteers cleaning an area of ​​their choice can register using the Marine Debris Tracker mobile application at www.debristracker.org , project "Sault Clean-up 2021" or on the social networks #SaultCleanUp or #GoSoloClean. connect with this event

For those who can't but would like to participate in the coastal cleanup, they can volunteer at the Bay Mills and Michigan United Conservation Clubs and help clean the Sugar Island sites from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. . Further information on cleaning Sugar Island can be found at https://qrco.de/bcDr0l .

"Although most American and Canadian citizens cannot cross the international bridge today, water knows no borders," said Christiansen. "Wherever we are, clean water is a shared responsibility to which we can all contribute. "

For more information about the Center for Freshwater Research and Education at Lake Superior State University, visit www.facebook.com/lssucfre .

Contact reporter Taylor Worsham at tworsham@sooeveningnews.com.

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