NEWS: Red Deer River Clean-up 2008

[About us] [History of the Clean-up] [Safety First] [Overview] [What is Garbage?] [Adopt-a-Stream Program] [Sponsors] [Clean-up 2006] [Clean-up 2008]

Environment Week 2008

Your Action Counts!

Water: connect, protect, conserve.

Join us for the 11th Annual

Red Deer River Clean-up

and the 14th Annual 

Waskasoo-Piper Creek Clean-up

Sunday, June 8, 2008

12:30 pm - 4:30 pm

To participate, meet at 12:30 pm on June 8th at one of the following locations and register:

the Kerry Wood Nature Centre

Rotary Park

You can pre-register by phoning the Kerry Wood Nature Centre: 346-2010.

Free bus transportation to and from Rotary Park from the Kerry Wood Nature Centre is provided by the City of Red Deer.  The Clean-up is form 1:00 - 3:30 pm.  Free barbeque and loads of prizes to follow afterwards at the Nature Cenre, starting at 3:30 pm.

All participants must wear appropriate footwear and gloves.

For more information, phone the Kerry Wood Nature Centre at (403) 346-2010 or visit www.reddeerriverclean-up.blogspot.com.

Major sponsorship for this event is provided by the Red Deer River Clean-up Committee, which includes representatives from Alberta Environment, the City of Red Deer, DOW Chemical Canada, INEOS, the Kerry Wood Nature Centre, NOVA Chemicals, ME Global, the Red Deer River Naturalists, and the Red Deer River Watershed Alliance.

A BIG THANK YOU!

[About Us] [History of the Clean-up] [Safefy First!] [Overview] [What is Garbage?] [Adopt-a-Stream Program] [Sponsors] [Clean-up 2006]

The Red Deer River Clean-up Organizing Committee would like to thank all of the Group Leaders and Volunteers who participated in the 10th Annual Red Deer River Clean-up, the 13th Annual Waskasoo-Piper Creeks Clean-up and the Adopt-A-Stream Program!

This year's (2006) Organizing Committee consisted of:

Dave Allison -- NOVA Chemicals
Judy Boyd -- Kerry Wood Nature Centre & Red Deer River Naturalists
Nelson Brinson -- Central Alberta Boating Association
Rhonda King -- Alberta Environment
Gord Ludtke (Chairman) -- UMA (AECOM) Engineering & Red Deer Environmental Advisory Board
Marianne Masters -- Kerry Wood Nature Centre
Kim Harry Ng -- MEGlobal
Betty Lou Rattray -- Dow Chemicals Canada
Randy Reamon -- City of Red Deer
Bill Sumner -- INEOS
Angela Travis -- Red Deer Watershed Alliance & Alberta Environment
Donna Trottier -- Red Deer County

OUR MAJOR CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS:

Alberta Environment
City of Red Deer
DOW Chemical Canada
EXH Engineering Services
INEOS
Kerry Wood Nature Centre
NOVA Chemicals
NPI

OTHER CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS:

A & W, Associated Engineering Alberta Ltd. (Red Deer), Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta (APEGGA), Booster Juice, Carnival Cinemas, Copies Now, Dairy Queen, East SideMario’s, Fritou Chicken, Jumbo Car Wash, the Keg, Kerry Wood Nature Centre,Kipp Scott, Liquor Hut, M&M Meats, Mongolie Grill, Montana’s, Only Women’s Fitness, Red Deer County, Red Deer Lodge, Red Deer River Naturalists, Sam's Café, Starbucks, TD Bank, Toad & Turtle and Tony Roma's.

ADOPT-A-STREAM PARTICIPANT GROUPS:

Waskasoo Pitch-in Group, Kerry Wood Nature Centre, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - 1 Ward Red Deer, INEOS.

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE MEDIA WHO ASSISTED:

Shaw Cable, Red Deer Express & Red Deer Advocate, CIZZ FM Z99, CKGY Radio, Big 105 and the Drive 106.7.

Red Deer River Clean-up 2006

[About Us] [History of the Clean-up] [Safefy First!] [Overview] [What is Garbage?] [Adopt-a-Stream Program] [Sponsors] [Clean-up 2006]

Environment Week June 4-10, 2006
Climate Change: Your Action Counts!

Join us! For the

Tenth Annual Red Deer
River Clean up
Includes 13th Annual Waskasoo-Piper Creek Clean Up

Sunday, June 4
12:30 – 3:00 p.m.

(Registration/check-in @ 12:30 p.m. and check–in @ 10:00 A.M. for canoeists)

Meet at 3 alternative locations:
Rotary Park OR Kerry Wood Nature Centre OR Little Chief Park (near Bower Ponds)

FREE Bus Service from the Kerry Wood Nature Centre to Rotary Park and Bower Ponds and return, will be provided for participants.

Bus leaves the Nature Centre at 12:45 p.m.
Canoeists meet at Fort Normandeau boat launch at 10:00 AM for “on-river” clean up.

All participants must wear boots and gloves.

PRIZES!!! Numerous Prizes Including a new mountain bike valued at $500.

The two Schools that provide the most Student Volunteers will receive $500 and $250 cash, respectively, for an environmentally related project for their school.

Free barbecue at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre
for all Clean Up participants starting at 3:30 p.m.

Register early as an individual or with a group ... by phoning the
Kerry Wood Nature Centre at 346-2010.

For more information, phone Judy Boyd 346-2010, or Gord Ludtke 314-6357 or
Check out our website at http://www.reddeerriverclean-up.blogspot.com/.

The Red Deer River Clean Up Committee provides major sponsorship for this event and includes representatives from Alberta Environment, City of Red Deer, DOW, EXH Engineering Services Ltd., Kerry Wood Nature Centre, INEOS Oligomers, MEGlobal, NOVA Chemicals, Red Deer County, Red Deer River Naturalists, Central Alberta River Boat Association and
the Red Deer Environmental Advisory Board.

Additional major sponsors include NPI.

Red Deer River Clean-up Sponsors 2006

[About Us] [History of the Clean-up] [Safefy First!] [Overview] [What is Garbage?] [Adopt-a-Stream Program] [Sponsors] [Clean-up 2006]

NOVA Chemicals

MEGlobal

INEOS

Dow Chemical

the Red Deer River Naturalists

Red Deer County

the City of Red Deer

Alberta Environment

the Kerry Wood Nature Centre

EXH Engineering Services Ltd.

The Adopt-a-Stream Program

[About Us] [History of the Clean-up] [Safefy First!] [Overview] [What is Garbage?] [Adopt-a-Stream Program] [Sponsors] [Clean-up 2006] 

The Adopt-a-Stream Program was initiated in 2001 for the purpose of increasing awaresness of stream and riparrian ecosystems through environmental education and stewardship. Participants in the programs can be groups or individuals who, becoming stewards of the stream, are willing to have a positive role in maintaining and/or restoring the health of such ecosystems.

Stewards of the stream have the satisfaction of knowing that they are protecting and cleaning up a portion of a creek or river. They receive formal recognition through public advertisements in the newspaper, brochures, and posters published for the Red Deer River Clean-Up as well as by on-site plaques.

The program involves the following basic steps:

1. Becoming a Stream Steward;
2. Researching Your Stream; and
3. Undertaking A Project.
   

Some Adopt-a-Stream projects could include: removal of trash, stream surveys, sampling, or rehabilitation projects. It is important to keep in mind that the main concern in all projects or undertakings is that Safety comes first!!

Since the Red Deer Adopt-A-Stream program was initiated, 5 groups have adopted portions of Waskasoo and Piper Creeks and the Red Deer River. Additional groups are expected to join up in the near future. With this ongoing effort, it is hoped that all portions of the river and streams in the city are adopted in the next 5 to 10 years. Additional restoration projects through this program are anticipated in the future. With ongoing effort and commitment, the restoration of the Red Deer River and the Waskasoo and Piper Creeks within the City of Red Deer can be accomplished.

For more information on the Red Deer River Clean-Up, the committee, or the Red Deer Adopt-A-Stream Program, contact Gordon Ludtke with EXH Engineering Services Ltd. at (403) 342-7650 or email gordon.ludtke@uma.aecom.com.

What is Garbage?

[About Us] [History of the Clean-up] [Safefy First!] [Overview] [What is Garbage?] [Adopt-a-Stream Program] [Sponsors] [Clean-up 2006]

Garbage is: trash left by humans that should be removed. Natural materials such as rocks, dead trees, logs and stumps usually provide homes and shelter for a variety of creatures. Therefore, try not to disturb their habitat. Overtime, some human disposed garbage has become habitat -- even though it will take many years to fully decompose. Consult with your group leader before removing it.

What else should not be removed? -- Do not try to remove large items or items that may be severely imbedded in the river or stream bed or along the banks. Just make a note of where it is located and we will try to remove the item another time.

Other important tips:

• Do not place too much garbage in one trash bag, as it may break or be too heavy to carry. Remember that wet items are considerably heavier than dry items.
• Leave your filled trash bags by the park trails or other accessible locations to be picked up.
• If you cannot carry a filled trash bag up the bank of the river, leave it by the river in a visible location so that a boat team easily identify it and pick it up.
• If you get the chance, look around your part of the river or stream and observer what wildlife pr humans use this habitat. Locate possible sources of pollution and litter; report them to your group leader.
  

MOST UNIQUE TRASH PRIZE:
If you see an item of trash that it strikes you as being unique, set it aside and show your group leader. When you get back to the follow-up Barbeque, enter it in the contest for a prize.

For more information on the Red Deer River Clean-Up, the committee, or the Red Deer Adopt-A-Stream Program, contact Gordon Ludtke with EXH Engineering Services Ltd. at (403) 342-7650 or email gordon.ludtke@uma.aecom.

Overview:

[About Us] [History of the Clean-up] [Safefy First!] [Overview] [What is Garbage?] [Adopt-a-Stream Program] [Sponsors] [Clean-up 2006]


Over the past eight years an average of 120 to 150 volunteers a year have come out to help restore the streams and river and their associated riparian habitats. Canoeists and river boaters clean up portions of the river, which are inaccessible to other volunteers. In total they have taken out approximately 27,000 Kg of garbage! As a result of the variety of items collected, all team leaders and volunteers are now instructed on the safe handling and disposal of various types of garbage or other items, because safety is our first priority.

Even with the increase in volunteers and efforts, it seems that the task is never ending. Accomplishments and gains in one area often mean losses in another. Some areas are now more clean than ever and show improvements in habitat, while other areas need ongoing effort and work. The committee is presently developing new initiatives, to accomplish the tasks and goals outlined. One of the new initiatives is the Red Deer Adopt-A-Stream Program, which was started in 2001. It is an environmental education and stewardship program designed to increase awareness of stream and riparian ecosystems. Participants, as groups and individuals, learn to play a positive role in maintaining and/or restoring such ecosystems.

Businesses, organizations, families, school classes, or youth groups can adopt a section of the river or creeks within the City of Red Deer to monitor, clean up, or undertake additional enhancement projects. The monitoring is ongoing and the clean up can be done on or before the Red Deer River Clean Up event, which is held in June during Environment Week.

For more information on the Red Deer River Clean-Up, the committee, or the Red Deer Adopt-A-Stream Program, contact Gordon Ludtke with EXH Engineering Services Ltd. at (403) 342-7650 or email gordon.ludtke@uma.aecom.com.

Safety First:

[About Us] [History of the Clean-up] [Safefy First!] [Overview] [What is Garbage?] [Adopt-a-Stream Program] [Sponsors] [Clean-up 2006]

Guidelines for keeping the Clean-up Safe:

• Work together in a group and do not go into an area or by the river or stream by yourself.
• Stay away from the river or stream when it looks high, muddy or dangerous; just clean-up the shoreline areas or other areas away from the river and stream.
• Stay away from steep banks and do not enter culverts or pipes.
• Always ask an adult or groupd leader if you have a problem or a question about an item.
• Do not enter a river or stream without an adult present or if conditions are unsafe or without proper footwear such as rubber boots (ie. do not go into water with bare feet or shoes).

• Wear rubber gloves when picking up garbage in the water or other gloves to pick up garbage on the banks.
• Be careful with sharp objects.
• Do not pick up any personal products such as disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, syringes, etc. unless wearing heavy gloves and accompanied by an adult.
• If you cut yourself or are injured contact the closest adult or group leader and seek medical help.
• If you see someone else in trouble, alert an adult or group leader immediately!!! Do not try to go to their rescue without calling someone first!!!

For more information on the Red Deer River Clean-Up, the committee, or the Red Deer Adopt-A-Stream Program, contact Gordon Ludtke with EXH Engineering Services Ltd. at (403) 342-7650 or email gordon.ludtke@uma.aecom.com.

History of the Clean-up:

[About Us] [History of the Clean-up] [Safefy First!] [Overview] [What is Garbage?] [Adopt-a-Stream Program] [Sponsors] [Clean-up 2006]


As the City of Red Deer grew from a small town to a larger urban community, considerable residential, commercial, and industrial development occurred. Through the foresight of planners, development surrounding the streams and river was limited and the riparian area was mostly left in a natural state or as a park and trail system. However, with the ever-increasing population and developments, there were numerous problems with garbage and pollution in these streams and in the river. The City of Red Deer spent considerable effort and money on maintaining the parks and trail system; however, the streams and associated natural riparian areas were gradually and visably deteriorating. Our children could no longer safely fish and play in or along most portions of the Waskasoo and Piper Creeks. The streams degraded to the point where spawning fish were unable to use them.

In 1994, a group of Red Deer residents decided to start cleaning up portions of the Waskasoo and Piper Creeks within the City. The group's main purposes were to help improve the environment in their own back yard, to increase public awareness, and to inform the other residents about the garbage and pollution problems along the streams and river. They envisioned that the clean up would expand along other portions of the streams and one day include the Red Deer River itself within the city boundaries. Only a half dozen volunteers helped clean garbage from the streams that first year. However, their tremendous efforts resulted in two ½ ton truckloads being taken to the local landfill!

From 1994 to 1996 more residents became aware of the problems; they volunteered for the one-day event, increasing the number of participants to approximately 60 volunteers. In 1997, the event took a major jump with additional sponsorships from the private and public sector. As a result, the Clean-up expanded to include several portions of the Red Deer River, and the Red Deer River Clean-Up Committee was officially created.

The Clean-Up Committee is composed of individuals and organizations within the community who are committed to preserving and enhancing the health of the Red Deer River and its tributaries. Several local, national and international groups or companies, including Alberta Environment, Aware Engineering Ltd., BP Canada, City of Red Deer, ConocoPhillips Canada, Dow Canada, Kerry Wood Nature Centre, Nova Chemicals, Red Deer Environmental Advisory Board, Red Deer River Boating Association and the Red Deer River Naturalists support this initiative.

For more information on the Red Deer River Clean-Up, the committee, or the Red Deer Adopt-A-Stream Program, contact Gordon Ludtke with EXH Engineering Services Ltd. at (403) 342-7650 or email gordon.ludtke@uma.aecom.com.

About Us:

[About Us] [History of the Clean-up] [Safefy First!] [Overview] [What is Garbage?] [Adopt-a-Stream Program] [Sponsors] [Clean-up 2006]

The Red Deer River Clean-up Committee was formed in 1997 in order to co-ordinate the annual Clean-up of the Red Deer River and its tributaries: Piper and Waskasoo Creeks.

It's goal is to encourage active participation and sponsorhip from community volunteers, businesses, and organizations, as well as increase awareness and understanding towards the river and its riparian area through education and community service.

The Clean-up committee also strives to build long-term community stewardship of the river and its tributaries with the City of Red Deer, while co-operating with local groups that have a related interest in extending the clean-up of the Red Deer River upstream and downstream of the City.

For more information on the Red Deer River Clean-Up, the committee, or the Red Deer Adopt-A-Stream Program, contact Gordon Ludtke with EXH Engineering Services Ltd. at (403) 342-7650 or email gordon.ludtke@uma.aecom.com