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Aquatic habitats deliver goods and services that are essential to all life forms on our planet. Unfortunately, human impacts from industrial, commercial and recreational activities are directly or indirectly threatening the health and sustainability of these critical areas.

Taking part in a shoreline or riparian zone clean up can help students appreciate the importance of aquatic ecosystems while making a meaningful contribution to their communities. A shoreline clean-up can also be an enjoyable experience for students and great way to start off the school year!

Why Care About Aquatic Ecosystems and Shorelines?

• All forms of wildlife require water, food and shelter from predators and the elements. Healthy shorelines provide all of these.
• Shorelines offer an amazing variety of habitat types that support much of the planet’s biodiversity.
• Healthy shorelines are requirements for healthy water quality.
• Two-thirds of the world’s major cities are situated along coasts and millions of people vacation on shorelines each year.
• Human disturbances are destroying coastal habitats and the ecological and economic services they provide.
• Shoreline pollution also makes its way into pelagic zones killing aquatic life, threatening human health, causing toxic algae blooms and forcing beach closures.
• Currents often carry pollutants far from their source of entry where species consume and absorb them.
• It is estimated that up to 1.5 million tons of trash and debris forced into the ocean as a result of the 2011 tsunami in Japan will wash up on Canada’s Pacific shores.

Resources 4 Rethinking encourages students and teachers to participate in this year's edition of the Ocean Wise Shoreline Clean Up.  Top R4R Picks will connect you to some excellent resources to extend the learning and support this action project.

For more ideas and information visit Shoreline Clean Up