Annual Thames River cleanup and EarthFest part of environmental action day in London

Londoners gathered to celebrate Earth Day with Earth Fest and a river cleanup. CTV London's Brent Lale has the details.

Each spring, thousands of people converge along the watershed to cleanup garbage and debris.

“Just investing a couple hours of your time once a year or even daily as you’re walking and picking anything up as you’re as you’re going along helps,” said Janet Woolvett who was picking up garbage along the bank of the Thames River at Gibbons Park in London, Ont.

“My family grew up in this park, so it means a lot to me.”

This year’s annual cleanup was pushed back a week due to the rising water in the Thames River.

“We find a lot of plastics now,” said Tim Woolvett, who was organizing the cleanup.

“Last year we had a tire, stop sign, and a laptop. You never know what you might find, especially since last weekend with the high water and the flooding. There is a lot of stuff washed up.”

As they were at the park cleaning the riverbanks, Tracey Whiteye was performing a water song to kick off the EarthFest event at Citi Plaza downtown.

It’s an annual celebration of climate and environmental action.

“Earth Fest is a couple of different things,” said Mary Ann Hodge of Climate Action London.

“The library is hosting a lot of its programing where there a lot of activities for kids, and here in Citi Plaza, we have 80 exhibitors.”

Hodge believes this event is helpful for people to connect.

“Environment affects our health and whether that’s air quality, water quality, or even just the cooling or the heat in the summer,” said Hodge.

“How can we help? Also with biodiversity, the more that we sprawl the city, the less habitat there is for birds and wildlife.”

One of the vendors was ReForest London who were giving away 200 free trees.

“We have 10 different species of native trees and shrubs to our Carolinian forest,” said Billie Moritz, land stewardship manager at ReForest London.

“We’re encouraging homeowners and residents of the city to plant native species in their yard. We’re increasing the native species within our city, building canopy cover. We’re providing habitat for wildlife, spreading shade in your house for parkgoers and really just enhancing greenery within the city.”

Back at Gibbons Park, bags of trash were filled after the cleanup.

“Every little piece counts,” said Tim Woolvett.

“It all adds up to a big amount.”