Indigenous 
Submitted by Jordan Ann Kevan de Haan, Environmental Technician Program Coordinator
First-year Environmental Technician students at SLC's Cornwall campus recently rolled up their sleeves to take part in a shoreline cleanup on campus. Sixteen students participated in the event, working together to remove litter and record their findings as part of a Canada-wide initiative led by Ocean Wise.
Some of the more unusual items collected included a discarded television, 20 CDs, and a very long PVC pipe. The most common items, however, were everyday litter: cigarette butts (307), coffee cups and lids (58), and pieces of plastic (37). After the cleanup, the group submitted a data card to Ocean Wise to contribute to national research and awareness efforts about shoreline pollution.
For many students, the cleanup was both eye-opening and personal. “Seeing the shoreline covered in garbage was hard, but it made me look at my own past wastefulness and reminded me I can choose differently,” said student Denis Allaire, reflecting on the impact of the day’s work.
The Ocean Wise Cleanup is part of the students’ ongoing learning about environmental issues and solutions. By taking part, they gained hands-on experience in data collection and environmental stewardship while making an immediate impact on their community.