Stay informed with the LNN Daily Newsletter

Annual “Coulee Clean- Up” begins in Lethbridge’s river valley

Apr 23, 2017 | 10:27 AM

LETHBRIDGE – A box spring mattress, an IPhone, and a bag of diapers were just some of the odd items volunteers have found at “Coulee Clean Up” events in past years.
 
The 2017 clean up began Saturday (April 22nd) to coincide with Earth Day, and goes on until May 31st.
 
Organized by the Helen Schuler Nature Centre, the project is aimed at preserving the integrity of Lethbridge’s river valley by removing garbage and debris from natural areas.
 
Volunteers can sign up either as a group, corporate team, sports team or as an individual. Garbage bags, gloves, basic first aid kits, road safety vests, road signs and area maps are given to all volunteers.
 
Sites can only be picked 24 hours before clean-up and kits have to be returned within 24 hours of the end of your clean-up as well. All volunteers must carry a cell phone with them, and wear appropriate clothing and footwear.
 
Organizers say there are a number of hazards that volunteers need to be aware of, especially if they are collecting garbage in grassy areas. Those include rattlesnakes, ticks, black widow spiders, mosquitos and bees or wasps.
 
There are 70 registered areas to be cleaned, and last year nearly 1,000 people volunteered 1,886 hours to the cause, collecting 355 bags of garbage.
 
For a complete list of rules and regulations, or to sign up, call 403-320-3064 or go to hsnc@lethbridge.ca