I suppose one might ask what could possibly be in someone’s mind to come to the conclusion that dumping two refrigerators by a beautiful stream was a good idea…

Last Saturday while assisting the Friends of Covehead and Brackley Bay with their annual stream clean-up, I asked the same question.

I also asked why anyone would feel it necessary to put a dog in a bag and throw it in the stream. Or how about disposing of beer bottles, highway signs, blue bags, coffee cups, diapers, pots and pans, toilets etc. into a stand of birch…

We have a very long way to go when it comes to educating ourselves about protecting and taking care of our environment.

My experience on Saturday opened my eyes in a different way. I think it’s fair to say that most of us know that illegal dumping goes on, but to see it close up is another thing. One of the most disturbing finds of the day was that bag with the dead dog in it. Go figure.

But with this bad news comes some good news:

There are hard-working, dedicated and caring individuals and groups who take the time to clean up the mess. Our mission last Saturday was to clean up a stream by clearing out any debris or garbage that was preventing the stream from flowing naturally. We also had a chance to study the trout in the stream and compare the sizes and locations, thanks to Daryl Guignion of UPEI.

The Friends of Covehead and Brackley Bay includes neighbours and friends of the community, biologists, youth, builders, homemakers, students (and now) a few MLA’s. And there are many more groups like this all across PEI.

This Saturday the Stratford Youth Can-Do is steering a clean-up for Glen Stewart School grounds and are encouraging everyone to come help out.

Education starts with seeing and doing.

Click here for more photos of the FCBB Stream Clean-up Day.