Park, Watershed Wide Cleanup with Local Residents and ‘Friends of Marie Curtis Park’

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), works closely with municipalities, to engage local residents, students from all grade levels, and community and corporate groups, in community-based restoration activities to enhance diverse habitats within naturalized areas. Many activities were cancelled through the spring and summer due to COVID19. With the recent change by the Provincial Government permitting small-group gatherings, a group of local residents with the Friends of Marie Curtis Park attended Marie Curtis Park to participate in a watershed clean-up. Marie Curtis Park is one of the few parks to be named by a female leader, Mayor Marie Curtis. This park along Lake , is situated along a migratory path for birds and waterfowl, and throughout each season many different species can be spotted. The long-tailed duck (top right), and white-crowned sparrow (bottom left) have been observed and admired by bird watchers and visitors accessing the trails. The Friends of Marie Curtis Park organize and conduct annual community clean-ups at LOCATION: this site with local volunteers to help remove litter and debris from entering sensitive Marie Curtis Park, Waterfront water systems. MPP Christine Hogarth and her staff also participated in the activity and welcomed the group. Through this effort, the group managed to remove almost 200 lbs. DATE: of garbage from natural areas and along the shoreline. Saturday September 26, 2020 Litter, debris, and illegal dumping, are prevalent within natural areas. Participating in REGION/MUNICIPALITY: cleanups assist in removing contaminants created from the litter, which leach into the City of waterways, posing health threats to both humans and wildlife. These activities provide a better understanding of the importance of natural spaces, habitat for local wildlife, IN COLLABORATION WITH: recreation areas for visitors, and encourage diverse ecosystems within urban settings. Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), City of Toronto, Friends of Marie Curtis Positive Environmental Impacts Park and Local Residents # of Garbage Area Maintained # of Participant Hrs Bags Collected (sq.m.) Participants Contributed

23 11,516 15 45

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