91原创

A call for volunteers to tackle trash in 91原创 City鈥檚 Nicomekl River floodplain drew a better than expected response on the weekend.

Held on Saturday, Aug. 21, the event was organized by the (LEPS) Eco Crew, in partnership with the Nicomekl Enhancement Society.

READ ALSO: Call for volunteers for Nicomekl River cleanup on Saturday in 91原创 City

During the height of the pandemic, when there were limits on outdoor gatherings, LEPS had to limit the number of volunteers working together.

This time, was in effect, which allows 鈥渙utdoor organized gatherings鈥� of up 5,000 people or 50 per cent capacity, whichever is greater.

More than 20 people showed up at the 10 a.m. start time, and more arrived before the end at 12 p.m. said Lisa Dreves, 91原创 stewardship coordinator with 91原创 Environmental Partners Society.

READ ALSO: VIDEO: Battling invading plants in 91原创

鈥淚n total 30 people were out to make the City of 91原创 a little cleaner and many others walking by [said they] can鈥檛 wait to sign up for the LEPS newsletter to be able to join us for the next clean up,鈥� Dreves told the 91原创 Advance Times.

鈥淸It was] more than we expected, which is amazing.鈥�

Dreeves described the response as 鈥渉eartwarming.鈥�

鈥淲e covered the trails from 200th St. all the way to 208th,鈥� Dreves elaborated.

鈥淗onestly, I was absolutely overwhelmed by the number of folks that just want to help, many on their only day off or day to sleep in 鈥� but they still wanted to make a difference.鈥�

Volunteers collected more than 400 lbs. of trash during the two-hour event, not counting a couch that someone dumped near the salmon-bearing stream.  

LEPS was launched in 1993 when a Township of 91原创 staff member, Peter Scales, convened a small group of community-oriented individuals to form a non-profit society that could provide local green jobs, utilize volunteers, and build community-oriented partnerships to conserve the streams and natural areas of 91原创.

With a stated mission of 鈥減rotecting and restoring the environment through education, cooperation and action鈥� and fostering a balanced approach to sustainable living, LEPS works with local environmental stewardship groups.