KINDLING
Only 86,150 kilograms of garbage left to go.
Ducks don’t want to see our
DIRTY BUTTS
CIGARETTES TOP THE LIST OF ITEMS FOUND IN NATIONAL SHORELINE CLEANUP
LAST SEPTEMBER, more than 36,000 volunteers combed 813 sites across the country, as part of the TD Canada Trust Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, re- moving 86,201 kilograms of garbage from 1,477 kilometres of shoreline—just over 58 kilograms per kilometre. Cigarette butts topped the list of items found on shorelines while food wrappers and con- tainers came in a distant second. “Animals and aquatic habitats are
under threat from garbage and debris, either by entanglement or accidental in- gestion,” said Dr. John Nightingale, Presi- dent of the Vancouver Aquarium. “The shoreline cleanup does more than rid our shorelines of harmful debris, it raises the consciousness of all Canadians to strive for clean shorelines all year through.” Created by the Vancouver Aquarium
12 years ago, the TD Canada Trust Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup boasts vol- unteers in every province and territory across the country. As of April 10th, 10 new sites have already been added in 10 different provinces and territories and 10,000 participants have already regis- tered for this year’s cleanup that will run from September 16 to 24. Every year, volunteers discover some
of the most unlikely objects on shorelines. Some of the strangest items removed in 2005 include: a DVD remote, an 18 karat gold ring, a rice cooker, a couch, a Cana- dian flag, parts of a breast pump, a Janet Jackson cassette tape, a hearing aid, a lawn mower and a 10-speed bicycle. All of the items collected during the cleanup are recorded and the data is re- turned to the Vancouver Aquarium for tallying. This information is then passed on to the Ocean Conservancy, which compiles worldwide results as part of the International Coastal Cleanup. Any individual or group can register to
clean up a site in their area. Site coordi- nators who register before August 31 will receive all cleanup supplies and materi- als free of charge. —SM
De-worming Our Parks
CAMPERS WITH DOGS RECEIVE BAYER’S “POOP AND SCOOP” KITS
“SOME PARK VISITORS feel that since they are outdoors in a natural ani- mal habitat, they don’t need to pick up after their pets,” says Ron Speck, Partnership Development Specialist for Ontario Parks. “The Bayer Ani- mal Health program has helped raise awareness amongst park visitors to keep our parks clean, and that pre- venting the spread of parasites is not only important for the health of their pets and their families, but also for the health of Canada’s wildlife.” During the six-month program,
more than 200,000 “poop and scoop” kits—which consist of dog utility bags and a parasite prevention brochure— will be distributed to park visitors with pets across Canada. Working with more than 300 parks
across the country, Bayer is educat- ing park staff and dog owners about the importance of routine de-worming and picking up after pets in order to reduce the threat of parasites that are passed from animals to humans. Small children are especially at risk
from animal roundworms because they may put larvae-contaminated objects or dirt into their mouths. And
occasionally, infants and children be- come infected with pet tapeworms. This happens when they ingest fleas containing parasite larvae—either from playing in flea-infested sand or from being licked by a dog with par- tially digested fleas in its mouth. Although outdoorsy parents should
take care, the actual threat may not be as imminent as it is horrible-sound- ing. Dr. Alan Greene, pediatrician and author of the acclaimed parenting book, From First Kicks to First Steps, says that considering the large num- ber of domestic dogs and cats, and the prevalence of worms in pets, the incidences of children becoming in- fected with worms is quite low. As well as periodic de-worming of
dogs and cats, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the U.S. recommends teaching children to al- ways wash their hands after playing with dogs and cats; not allowing chil- dren to play in areas that are soiled with animal stool; and teaching chil- dren that it is dangerous to eat dirt or soil—thereby eliminating an entire food group for most toddlers in the name of public health. —SM
FAMILY CAMPING 5
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60