#LIVETHEWILDPLEDGE INITIATIVE
The "Live the Wild Pledge" project aims to engage beach-bound hikers on Northern Vancouver Island in removing plastic debris from remote beaches. This voluntourism initiative educates participants on marine plastics, guides them to cleanup sites, and connects them to local businesses, all while empowering them to make a positive environmental impact. By encouraging participants to share their efforts and rewarding them with incentives, the project fosters a sense of community involvement and commitment to preserving the region's natural beauty.
The Issue:
Marine and shoreline pollution is one of the largest challenges facing the community of Vancouver Island North. This coastal area is threatened by abandoned, lost, discarded fishing and ghost gear (ALDFG); as well, anthropogenic debris on the shorelines has increased dramatically since the 2010 Zim Kingston container spill. This environmental disaster resulted in 109 shipping containers lost outside the port of Victoria, four of which washed up in Cape Scott Provincial Park, and debris has still been depositing materials on the shorelines to date.
Grant Award Use:
Funds from this program will largely be dedicated to the infrastructure, such as signage and appropriate collection bins as well as the maintenance of these seven collection and disposal sites.
What Would a Successful Project Result In?
Success is the collective removal of 20,000lbs of marine debris by visitors and residents actively participating in #LivetheWildPledge by removing one bag of ocean plastic debris from remote coastal beaches and bringing their materials to a collection site.
