An organization that works to protect and restore Lake Huron's coastal environment has received funding to address risks created by plastic pollution.
The Lake Huron Coastal Centre said it will use the $44,000 from the provincial government to aid in a number of beach restoration projects.
"This funding will support micro-plastics research, the installation of beach clean-up stations and storm water catchment basin filters as well as help us host thirteen beach clean-ups from Sarnia to Georgian Bay," said Coastal Stewardship Technician Alyssa Bourassa.
Bourassa said cleaning up plastic pollution is a complicated issue, as it presents significant risks to coastal ecosystems, water quality, and the health of wildlife in Lake Huron. She explained it requires both short and long-term solutions.
"So an example of [short-term solutions] is getting out to the beach and cleaning it up as a community," said Bourassa. "And we also have long term solutions. So that's the [installation of] self clean-up beach stations, the storm water catchment basin filters that's going to collect plastic after the beach clean-ups are done."
The recent funding follows plans announced last fall by the Ontario government to invest $1.9-million for 38 Great Lakes projects across the province as part of the Great Lakes Local Action Fund.
More information about how to volunteer for clean-up events will be posted online at www.lakehuron.ca/volunteer.