It's disheartening to see what gets pulled out of Chippewa Creek each spring. The creek is part of the watershed that empties into Lake Nipissing, a historic body of water, and still an important driver economically in our region. That's not to mention the environmental impact that the watershed's level of health has. Throw your stolen shopping cart, used needles, fast food wrappers or bald tires elsewhere, preferably in the appropriate place. The fact that we use so many volunteer hours to clean your mess every year, hours that could be better spent on something less avoidable, is disgusting.
Members of the Rotaract Club of North Bay-Nipissing layered their clothes, put on their rubber boots and work gloves, and headed to Thomson Park to officially mark their adoption of a sizable stretch of Chippewa Creek with a mass clean-up effort, Saturday morning.
It was a cool, crisp morning, but spirits were high as Rotaractors and a team of volunteers (including some from both local Rotary Clubs) enjoyed the sunshine while picking up trash and recyclables from along the banks of the portion of Chippewa Creek abutting the playground and former baseball diamond (now parking lot) in Thomson Park.
Alex Rogerson, local Rotaract Club president, geared-up and ready to take part in the clean-up effort Saturday morning, said that in the past, their group has done chores in the community, helping around people's houses, but this year decided to take more of a green community approach, helping to restore an important part of the Chippewa Creek along the EcoPath.
"Taking on a larger community effort such as this is more in line with our mandate," said Rogerson, adding, "we wanted to do something that also gave back, instead of always asking people for things."
For more charitable Rotaract endeavours and club information, click here.
Kendra Clarke, the coordinator of the Day of Giving event, said that a recent North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) presentation on the importance of the watershed as far as flooding, and the human impacts on the creek, sealed the deal as far as Rotaract participation.
The club has made a two-year commitment with the NBMCA. The time commitment is in line with what is asked of other Adopt-the-Creek participants, said NBMCA's Paula Loranger, who was on hand to guide the group in their first official clean-up at the site. Loranger added that this year's official Adopt-the-Creek event will take place the first weekend in June. Click here for more information.
The Rotaract crew, including mascot Tucker, will be back for another clean-up effort in June. Sunday and Monday's rainfall advisories will undoubtedly bring many new treasures for the group to rescue from the banks of Chippewa Creek.
