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In 2023, 740 volunteers diverted over 1,700 lbs of plastic from ending up in Lake Huron.
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Support the Cause!
As a small charity, we rely on donations to help fund our conservation programs. Our beach clean-up events are Lake Huron Coastal Centre's biggest fundraiser of 2024. It provides people the opportunity to give back to their community and to the lake we all love, but we can't do it alone. Donate now to help us continue our important work to protect Lake Huron.
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The Fight Against Plastic Pollution Matters!
Disposable items, like straws, grocery bags, coffee cups and water bottles, contribute to the massive amount of plastic pollution in the Great Lakes. Plastic pollution is an emerging global issue in our oceans and lakes, with more than 22 million pounds of plastic pollution ending up in the Great Lakes every year. Plastic pollution poses a threat to wildlife through ingestion and entanglement. Plastic also reduces water quality when chemicals in the plastic leach into the sounding environment.
Microplastic - An Emerging Issue
Lake Huron has a significant amount of large plastic fragments that will eventually break down into microplastics with higher densities being found close to shore. In 2023 we found that 88% of lake water samples contained microplastic. Microfibers that are released from clothing in the wash were the most common microplastic found. Some microplastic is such as fibers are so small it can bypass screening at waste water treatment plants and contaminate drinking water. More research needs to be done to understand how microplastic effects human and animal health.
More Than a Beach Clean-up
Garbage collected from a Clean-up the Coast event will contribute to the worlds largest international coastal cleanup initiative through the Ocean Wise Shoreline Clean-up data base. They work with individuals and groups to minimize plastic and garbage pollution on shorelines and in communities. The goal of this initiative is to remove and analyze trash to better understand common garbage types and where they are sourced from. Having that data available and public will help hold corporations and consumers accountable. They also make it easy to lead your own shoreline clean-up!​
Resources
Check out our Plastic Pollution Toolkit to learn from our years of experience hosting clean-up events on Lake Huron. Take our best practices and apply them to your own event!
Click below to read about how our 2023 beach clean-up season went!
Lots of fun is had at our beach clean-ups! See photo gallery below.
Click the map to view last year's focus areas
What to bring
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Water
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Closed Toe Shoes
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Bucket (optional)
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Gloves (optional)
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*Make sure to register online before the event!
PARTNERS
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Tanner Steffler Foundation
The connection between nature and good mental health has never been more clear. The Tanner Steffler Foundation aims to enhance and improve mental health and addiction resources and support networks for youth ages 12-29 and their caretakers within Huron and Perth Counties. They maximize our impact by following the evidence, partnering with others in the system, and most of all, listening to youth.
Zehrs Goderich
Zehrs Goderich is a partner AND sponsor for this event. They will be providing volunteers with a beach BBQ as a thank you for cleaning up our beach
Goderich Rotaract Club
The Rotaract Club of Goderich is a service club for young people who are dedicated to finding innovative solutions to the local and global pressing challenges while developing leadership skills and making friends from around the world.
Yoga Den
Serving coffee, smoothies, cold pressed juice and plant based food and treats. Our cafe is unique filled with many beautiful houseplants all for sale. Located on the Square in Goderich
Lake Life Studio
Lake Life Studio has been a long-time supporter of the Lake Huron Coastal Centre. Off the beaten path and near the shores of Lake Huron is a glass fusing workshop. The Glass Shop creates glass for your home or business. Giftware such as serving bowls, sun catchers and jewellery; a little something for everyone. They also have a beautiful Artisan Boutique that is filled with one-of-a-kind treasures.
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS BEACH CLEAN-UP SPONSORS FOR 2024!
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