Cape Coral has more than 400 miles of canals and waterways, a distinction that’s as appealing to real estate buyers and investors as it is to litter bugs.
Keeping the waterways clean is a monumental effort, one that’s getting a little help this weekend from residents looking to their part to keep the city, and the environment, as pristine as possible.
The city of Cape Coral, in conjunction with Keep Lee County Beautiful, is hosting the third annual Canal Clean Up on Saturday.
Starting at 8 a.m. at the Yacht Club, volunteers will head out to different parts of the city in an effort to pull litter from the waterways.
“People get excited that they’re able to help,” said Kim Cressman, environmental biologist for the city and event organizer. “I think they really like being around other people with the same attitude. It lets them know they’re not the only ones who care.”
Last year 150 people volunteered to help out, a marked improvement over the inaugural year when 90 volunteers came out, and Cressman is expecting even more people this year.
People with or without boats are encouraged to join in.
Cressman said some trash bags, gloves, tools and nets will be provided, but she’s suggesting volunteers bring their own, just to make sure the supply holds out.
Last year volunteers collected more than 6,000 pounds of garbage, hauling items like televisions and air conditioners out of canals.
In order to curb the trash the problem on a daily basis, she added, a majority of people are going to have to change the way they think about their city.
“What we really need to do is fight the attitude that’s putting that debris out there,” she said. “It’s an obvious problem.”
The clean up runs 8 a.m. until noon at the Cape Coral Yacht Club. Lunch is provided to volunteers, courtesy of Geo’s Italian Restaurant, Papa John’s Pizza and CiCi’s Pizza.
Cressman is requesting all volunteers RSVP in order to make sure there is enough food.
To RSVP, contact Cressman at 574-0785.