Student’s Guide to Hosting a Virtual Clean-Up

As a Brock University or Niagara College student, you have the unique opportunity to engage in conservation activities while working towards the Living Planet Leader Certification as part of a partnership with WWF-Canada. Volunteering your time through taking part in a virtual clean-up is a great way to care for your local community and earn hours for your certification. Here are some simple tips to get you started with organizing your own virtual clean-up:

1. Reach out to friends and family that are interested in cleaning up your community in a social distanced manner. Note: For safety reasons, we strongly recommend you pair up with a friend or family member to take part in this activity. 
2. Plan a date, time, and location that requires a clean-up and is open. Make sure your chosen location is free of any safety hazards and is considered open under the current COVID-19 restrictions in your community. Note: Natural areas, including provincial parks, have specific rules and regulations in  place, so make sure to review any visitor guidelines available on park websites. 
3. Ensure all clean-up volunteers understand that COVID-19 guidelines (for your specific region in Ontario) must be followed, including social distancing and mask wearing. 
4. If you’d like to track what and how much you’ve cleaned up from your clean-up site, feel free to download WWF-Canada’s Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup (GCSC) data sheet here. 
5. On the day of the clean-up, make sure to bring sturdy garbage bags, a grabber tool, hand sanitizer, rubber gloves, your phone, and appropriate apparel and footwear. Note: It’s never a bad idea to have a small first-aid kit and a reusable water bottle on hand too!
6. Take photos of yourself and/or of your friends and family making a positive environmental impact on your local community. 
7. Submit your volunteer hours from your clean-up on WWF’s Living Planet Leader website. Note: Creating a Living Planet Leader account takes very little time! 
8. Share the photos on social media and tag us @BUSustainable and @Sustainabilitync

Community Member’s Guide to Hosting a Virtual Clean-Up

Help take care of your community and host a virtual clean-up event. Cleaning up your local community is a great way to do your part in climate action initiatives and support conservation efforts. To make the most out of your virtual clean-up event, follow our step-by-step process and use the guide below:

1. Reach out to friends, family, and community members to see if they are interested in a socially distanced virtual clean-up event. Note: For safety reasons, we strongly recommend you pair up with a friend or family member to take part in this activity.
2. Plan a date, time, and location that requires a clean-up. Make sure your chosen location is free of any safety hazards and is considered open under the current COVID-19 restrictions in your community. Note: Natural areas, including provincial parks, have specific rules and regulations in  place, so make sure to review any visitor guidelines available on park websites.
3. Ensure all clean-up volunteers understand that local COVID-19 guidelines must be followed, including social distancing and mask wearing.
4. Your clean-up event won’t require you to bring much with you, but make sure you have some sturdy bags, grabber tool, hand sanitizer, rubber gloves, a cellphone, and appropriate apparel and footwear. Note: You’ll want to stay properly hydrated, so don’t forget your reusable water bottle, and a few snacks. It’s also never a bad idea to have a small first-aid kit on hand too!
5. Take photos of yourself and your team making a positive environmental impact on your local community.
6. Share the photos on social media and tag us @BUSustainable and @Sustainabilitync

Organization’s Guide to a Virtual Clean-Up

Looking for a new team building activity? A virtual clean-up event is a great way to engage your co-workers or club members to take part in climate action initiatives and support conservation efforts. Why not spend some time outdoors for an afternoon and give back to your community through a virtual clean-up? Follow our step-by-step process and use the guide below to get your team involved:

1. Plan a date, time, and location that requires a clean-up, and invite your office or club members. If you are trying to plan a virtual clean-up for a business, it is best to ensure you touch base with your Health and Safety representative to ensure they are on board and can assist you with the implementation of COVID-specific guidelines for staff. Note: Natural areas, including provincial parks, have specific rules and regulations  in place, so make sure to review any visitor guidelines available on park websites. 
2. Ensure all clean-up team members understand that local COVID-19 guidelines must be followed, including social distancing and mask wearing. 
3. Your clean-up event won’t require you to bring much with you, but make sure you have some sturdy bags, grabber tool, hand sanitizer, rubber gloves, a cellphone, and appropriate apparel and footwear. Note: You’ll want to stay properly hydrated, so don’t forget your reusable water bottle, and a few snacks. It’s also never a bad idea to have a small first-aid kit on hand too!
4. Take photos of yourself and your team, making a positive environmental impact on your local community.  
5. Share the photos to social media and tag your organization to encourage others to do the same impactful volunteer work! 

Check back regularly for upcoming virtual clean-ups!

Brock University and Niagara College partnered up again in 2021 to host a Virtual Spring Clean-Up from April 17th to 25th. Thanks to everyone who participated!