Cleaning Up Brunette River Together

On February 28th, 2026, we had the chance to come together at the Brunette River Conservation Area alongside Web of Life and the Stoney Creek Environment Committee for a community cleanup. It turned out to be one of our biggest events yet, with over 30 volunteers joining us to help care for this important natural space and the river that runs through it.

From the start, the energy was amazing. Some volunteers even brought their own equipment: garbage pickers, buckets, trash bags, and wheelbarrows, which made a huge difference. We also made sure everyone had what they needed by providing pickers, gloves, trash bags, snacks, and beverages. We wanted everyone to feel well equipped and comfortable so they could focus on making an impact while also enjoying the experience.

We were especially grateful for the weather. It was a beautiful, sunny day, which helped us make the most of our time outdoors. Runners and cyclists passed by and cheered us on, and a few even stopped to ask what we were doing. Those small conversations meant a lot, it was a reminder that when people see positive action happening in their community, it sparks curiosity and care.

To be able to cover more ground, we split into 3 groups and headed to different sections of the conservation area. On the way to one of the sites, one of our volunteers, Ally, discovered a small salamander tucked between one of the first piles of trash we found. Seeing wildlife living among debris reminded us exactly why this work matters; we share nature with so many different living things as well! A clean up not only helps nature breathe, but for the creatures living outside to breathe better, too.

As the day went on, we filled over 45 large demolition bags. At the end of the day, we gathered every single bag into two main spots within the conservation area to be picked up. Seeing everything piled together was incredibly rewarding, what had once been scattered throughout the forest was now cleared away, a powerful moment for our community and a reminder of what a group of committed people can accomplish together in just a few hours.

We found wires, sheets of metal, mattresses, blankets, parts of bicycles, and a surprising amount of clothing. One of the most unexpected finds was a MacBook laptop, discovered by two of our youth volunteers at the start. The more we dug, the more we uncovered. A lot of the waste had been buried underground and had already started decomposing. We were relieved to remove it before it could further affect the soil and surrounding ecosystem.

For some of our volunteers, this was their first cleanup. Many shared how meaningful it felt to step away from school or computer-based work and spend time outdoors doing something hands-on for the community. It was a chance to reconnect with nature, get some fresh air, move their bodies, and give back to a park that so many people use and enjoy. There’s something special about doing good while helping restore nature closer to its original state!

Let’s keep cleaning up, let’s keep showing up for our community spaces, and we look forward to tackling even more together in the months ahead.