Organizers still looking for some community leaders
MANITOULIN—Between the provincial bureaucracy and Mother Nature, an Island-wide roadside cleanup in celebration of Earth Day almost didn’t happen, but thanks to dogged determination and a little flexibility the cleanup will now coincide with the annual Northeast Town cleanup on May 5.
Provincial Green Party candidate Justin Tilson does a lot of cycling with his recumbent bicycle, particularly between his Honora Bay home and Little Current, but along many of the Island’s highways and biways as well. That gives him a somewhat unique perspective on the litter scattered in the ditches that line the road.
“I was thinking that picking up all that litter would make a great Earth Day project and provide a chance for people to get together on something worthwhile,” he said. Thus began an adventure in navigating provincial bureaucracies. “I never realized just how challenging it can be. I was almost ready to give up.” But persistence tends to be one of Mr. Tilson’s main attributes and he eventually succeeded in getting the necessary permissions and leader training needed to proceed.
“I’ve got team leads for most towns on the Island ready to go,” said Mr. Tilson in the lead-up to April 22 launch. “If you would like to participate and help clean up our beautiful Island, please get in touch and I’ll connect you with a team lead closest to you. If you would like to be a team lead, definitely reach out as soon as possible.”
Then along came Mother Nature with her own views on the plans. The unseasonable snow and ice pellet storms that rocked the region left a blanket of snow in most of the ditches targeted for the cleanup crews. Mr. Tilson quickly realized that even should the snow and ice melt in time for Earth Day the ditches would be filled with melt water and soggy in the extreme.
“We decided to postpone the cleanup to coincide with the NEMI shoreline cleanup scheduled for May 5,” said Mr. Tilson.
The Green Party candidate cited one of his childhood Scout masters, George Maserkevitch, as the inspiration for his own dedication to the environment and community activism.
“He really instilled in us a sense of duty to community service and stewardship of the environment,” recalled Mr. Tilson.
“Our roadways and ditches are littered with trash, trash that often finds its way to the water,” he said. “Once in the water, it causes all kinds of havoc for fish, reptiles, birds and other critters.”
Mr. Tilson is exhorting people to “get out across the Island’s towns and road ways and clean up our beautiful home. One big push and we can collect most of it!”
There are teams leads are ready to organize groups of people in Tehkummah, Mindemoya, Honora Bay, Little Current, Manitowaning and Sheshegwaning.
“If you are interested in being a team lead for your community please reach out to me as soon as possible,” said Mr. Tilson.
Safety of participants is a key concern he notes. “Since we will be working along roadways, there are some basic safety rules to follow. Details will be communicated by your community’s team lead. Reflective vests will be provided for all participants.”
Unfortunately, the younger set will have to find another way to contribute, as the Ministry of Transportation requires that all participants be over the age of 12.
The Manitoulin Island-wide cleanup is now scheduled for May 5. For more information or to sign up for an area, check out the Manitoulin Cleanup 2018 Facebook page.
