By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle
As part of its ongoing educational program for primary school-aged children, the Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society (OLWQS) recently held its annual shoreline cleanup of beaches in Osoyoos.
In early October Osoyoos Elementary School students were at Gyro Beach to learn about the lake and do a hands-on cleanup. The morning kicked off with an educational discussion with the students about the importance of keeping garbage and toxic substances out of Osoyoos Lake.
Neil Bousquet photo
Prior to this year’s cleanup OLWQS president, Birgit Arnstein began with a conversation with students about the importance of keeping Osoyoos Lake in pristine condition so that future generations can continue to enjoy all the attributes of the lake that they have experienced.
As a precaution, students were given protective gloves to wear and were reminded to be mindful not to pick up sharp objects.
Neil Bousquet photo
Arnstein also related to the students the recently completed Yellow Fish symbols painted beside storm grates in Osoyoos, and the importance of making sure their neighbours do not dump toxic substances (ie. oil, coolant, paint etc.) in the stormwater drains that could eventually kill wildlife such as fish.
The children then proceeded with the cleanup under the supervision of their teachers.
Neil Bousquet photo
The Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society (OLWQS) was founded in 1991 by community members to help promote public awareness of the lake, covering issues such as conservation, pollution and lake management. It is a non-political, non-profit charitable organization run entirely by volunteers.
