Motion: Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup

At the October board meeting for Conservation Ontario, I learned about the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative’s annual Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup. The program brings municipalities together to clean up beaches, rivers, and shoreline areas on World Rivers Day, helping protect our shared freshwater ecosystem.

Central Elgin’s Strategic Plan commits us to environmental conservation and sustainability for future generations. By joining this initiative, we’ll have the chance to work with local partners to host annual community cleanups, raise awareness, and celebrate our connection to Lake Erie and the Great Lakes system.

I’m excited to see Central Elgin take part in this regional effort — a small, meaningful way to protect what makes our home so special.

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WHEREAS the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative coordinates an annual Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup on World Rivers Day each September and is seeking additional municipal participants;

AND WHEREAS the Municipality of Central Elgin, as a Great Lakes community, has committed through its Strategic Plan to promoting environmental conservation to meet the needs of current and future generations;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff be directed to engage with the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative to participate in the annual Coastal Cleanup event;

AND FURTHER THAT staff be directed to reach out to local environmental organizations to explore potential partnerships and community engagement opportunities in support of this initiative;

AND FURTHER THAT this resolution be circulated to Lake Erie–adjacent municipalities in Elgin County for their information and potential participation.