Ducks Unlimited Canada urges Fort Macleod and district residents to organize clean-up events for World Cleanup Day on Sept. 20.
Last year, more than 19-million people from 198 countries took part in a global initiative called World Cleanup Day on Sept. 20.
For the first time ever, this event has been officially recognized on the United Nations calendar of days.
With the support of Unsmoke Canada and The Great Outdoors Fund, Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is inviting Canadians to help keep wildlife habitat pristine and is appealing to organizers and volunteers to pitch-in with clean-up events from Sept. 20-29.
“Canadians appreciate natural spaces and are passionate about the environment,” said Michael Nadler, chief executive officer of DUC. “Ducks Unlimited Canada is proud to be part of World Cleanup Day 2024 and encourages our community of employees, volunteers, partners and supporters to get involved and show what we can accomplish together.”
This year’s theme is “Make Room For Life” and it comes just a month before the United Nations COP16 conference on Biodiversity where world leaders will gather to review progress on implementing the Biodiversity Plan and align strategies and actions.
According to the United Nations, pollution is considered one of the five key drivers of biodiversity loss.
Litter, including single-use plastics and cigarette butts, threaten wildlife in terrestrial and marine environments.
Debris can be ingested by animals like ducks and can potentially have negative effects on their health by creating choking hazards, puncturing or obstructing their digestive tract, or causing illness.
If left untouched, plastics can break down and cause a much less obvious threat.
Microplastics are being found in the digestive systems and even tissues of various species and more research is required to understand how this may impact the health and population status of wildlife.
As part of the global cleanup effort, DUC will activate and promote clean-up events across Canada, focusing on the collection and proper recycling of waste, including cigarette butts and plastics, that can pose significant threats to wildlife.
Ready to make room for life in your community? Roll up your sleeves to participate or organize a clean-up event in your area. Visit https://www.ducks.ca/worldcleanupday/ for more information and resources.
