Lachute residents gathered early Thursday morning, August 7, to help clean up Rivière du Nord across from the Lachute Airport. The Corvée de nettoyage event was planned by the City of Lachute and environmental organizations Stratégies Saint-Laurent, Organisme de Bassin Versant (OVB) de la rivière du Nord, and Mission 1000 Tonnes.
The wider initiative involves a team travelling across Québec to raise awareness and organize collective cleanup activities along the St. Lawrence and its watersheds.
Mission 1,000 Tonnes aims to protect marine and aquatic ecosystems by removing waste from waterways and promoting waste reduction.
The group is powered by a team of volunteers, with more than 95,000 individuals having participated in the project so far. Mission 1000 Tonnes has removed 580 tonnes of waste from Québec waterways.
During opening remarks, Lachute Mayor Bernard Bigras-Denis emphasized the importance of local involvement in environmental protection.
“We know very well that, above all, the protection of natural environments, waterways, and water quality starts with local actions,” he said. “We must participate in these initiatives and continue raising awareness throughout the year.”
Bigras-Denis added: “We are going to commit ourselves to awareness campaigns and also work with businesses and industries to reduce all plastic use.”
Volunteers of all ages spread out to collect debris from the area’s greenery.
Organizers supplied all necessary cleanup equipment.
Photos by Philip Oddi:
