Join the Gorge Waterway Action Society on Tuesday, August 5th from 10:00am-12:00pm for a Beach Glass Clean Up!
Background:
Our summer staff at GWAS have spent the last few months trapping invasive European Green Crabs along our shorelines. Recently, at our event at the Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club, we noticed a large volume of glass on the beach and in the water. This glass is not characteristic of typical beach glass, with large chunks and sharp edges, it appears as a hazard on the beach. After some research through our ongoing Flowing Histories of the Gorge project, we learned that this site has served as a bottle-dumping ground for partying Settlers since the 19th century! Our goal for this event is of course to clean hazardous debris from the beach, but also to learn more about the history of the Gorge!
What to Expect:
This restoration event, much like our typical weekly restoration events, will be open to the public, and personal protective equipment will be provided. It will also occur in conjunction with the deployment of our European Green Crab (EGC) traps.
We will meet outside the Esquimalt Pavilion (1070 Tillicum) at 10:00am, where ample parking and bike racks are available. After an opening circle and introductions, we will walk towards the beach outside of the Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club (355 Gorge Rd West). Our restoration team will conduct a site and safety briefing and distribute personal protective equipment to all volunteers. The beach clean up will continue until 12:00pm, when we will do a closing circle and walk back to our cars. We will stay on the shore collecting glass and other debris, but ensure you have sturdy, closed-toe shoes and clothes that are okay to get muddy! There will be some GWAS staff in waders deploying EGC traps and removing debris from the water. If additional waders are available, they can be borrowed by volunteers to remove debris. Please feel free to reach out with any further questions about what to expect during the event at
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What to bring:
Sturdy, close-toed shoes
Water bottle
Snacks
Sun protection
Never volunteered with us at a restoration event before?
Please fill out our restoration waiver:
https://tinyurl.com/2p9m4hxp
Accessibility:
FREE - Outdoor event. All are welcome.
Please message us with any questions or requests for accessibility accommodations:
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The Esquimalt Gorge Park can be accessed by car, bike, or on foot. Is it also accessible by #11, #8, #14, or #26 bus routes.
Please see our parking and bus map here:
https://tinyurl.com/mr37r8sy
Unfortunately, the site we are working at is rocky, muddy, and not accessible by wheelchair.
For more information:
Follow us on Instagram: @gorgewaterwaynaturehouse
Like us on Facebook: Gorge Waterway Nature House
Email us:
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Check out our website: gorge.ca
The Gorge Waterway Action Society acknowledges with gratitude and respect the lək̓ʷəŋən Peoples (Songhees and xʷsepsəm Nations) on whose territory we work, learn, and play; and the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples whose historical relationships with these lands and waters continue to this day.
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