Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper transforms 'Shoreline Sweep' into summer-long, socially distant cleanup event with Labatt USA

Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper’s annual “Shoreline Sweep” has been transformed from a single-day cleanup in the spring to a season-long cleanup across Western New York.

A press release said, “The new ‘Summer Sweep,’ presented in partnership with Labatt USA, provides safe, socially distant, solo and small-group cleanup options for Western New Yorkers to get outside, enjoy our environment, and help keep our community and waterways clean.”

"While the global health crisis has impacted everyone's personal lives in different ways, one thing remains the same, and that is our collective need for clean and healthy waterways," Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper Executive Director Jill Jedlicka said. "Now, more than ever, we are committed to the protection of our region’s fresh water and are thrilled to once again partner with Labatt USA in presenting new and safe options for individuals and families to help maintain the health and aesthetics of our shorelines. These new season-long ‘Shoreline Sweep’ events provide even more opportunities for WNY volunteers to meaningfully contribute to the protection of our region's greatest natural resource."

“Our beautiful lakes, rivers and streams have become a much-needed escape as we begin to get out and safely explore the region,” said Mary Beth Popp, vice president of communication for Labatt USA. “It’s great to see so many people pitching in to keep our recreational waterways clean. At Labatt, we are always happy to support Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper’s efforts. We feel lucky to work with them.”

The “Summer Sweep” includes options for individuals and families to find a suggested cleanup site in Western New York, pick up supplies like trash bags and gloves from one of Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper’s weekly pickup sites, and then record the amount of trash they cleaned up and where they did their solo sweep on Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper’s website.

In addition, with funding provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper is leading small group on-water cleanups, where participants bring their own boats and Waterkeeper provides a staff guide and cleanup supplies.

To date, about 700 pounds of trash have been picked up by over 100 Western New Yorkers participating in the “Summer Sweep,” but the event has just begun! Weekly supply pickups, as well as on-water cleanup registrations and data collection, will continue through October thanks to additional support and funding from Douglas Development Corp, Life Storage and Lawley. For more information on supply pickup and on-water cleanup dates or data collection, visit https://bnwaterkeeper.org/summer-sweep/.

Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper is a community-based nonprofit organization that protects and restores local waters and surrounding ecosystems for the benefit of current and future generations. For over 30 years, Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper has been the guardian of Western New York's fresh water, protecting clean water, restoring the health of ecosystems, connecting people to the water and inspiring economic growth and community engagement.

Proudly headquartered in Buffalo, Labatt USA has imported Labatt Blue and Labatt Blue Light from Canada since 1951. Today, Labatt Blue is America’s top-selling Canadian beer.