Although fewer volunteers turned out for this year’s Cowichan River Clean-up than last year, those that did turn out managed to collect a truck-load’s worth of garbage from the river.
Saturday, August 27, had volunteer divers, snorkelers, and walkers head out down the Cowichan River, from the weir downstream, to collect garbage.
Reconvening at the town’s Municipal Hall after a day’s worth of cleaning the river, volunteers enjoyed hamburgers, hotdogs, pizza and drinks, courtesy of local businesses.
Prizes were also awarded to the day’s volunteers. The prizes were also donated by local businesses.
The strangest things taken from this year’s clean-up included a marijuana pipe, a can opener, a plastic bug, an unopened glass pop bottle, and a very old looking glass jar of vaseline. Two vehicle tires were also pulled from the river.
Key organizer Gerald Thom said that the event will continue next year, to again take place the second to last Saturday in August.
The event is put on by the Cowichan Lake and River Stewardship Society.