Murray Islands beach cleanup needs volunteers

Nature Conservancy of Canada is looking for volunteers with kayaks to help with a beach cleanup on five protected Islands in Murray Harbour.

Program director Julie Vasseur says the Murray Islands arean important migratory stop for waterfowl and a nesting site for a number of seabirds.

Vasseur said there is also a lot of trash which is a risk for the birds.

"We find some of the most odd things on these cleanups. In this area, just because it is quite anactive aquaculturearea, we do tend to get a lot of washup from the industry, so buoys, some rope, and netting and little plastic bands and that kind of thing," said Vasseur.

"Last year we found kind of the remains from an old camping site, so there was some old plastic furniture. Even some kids toys."

This is the second year for the Nature Conservancy's clean-up on the islands. It will be held Saturday, July 25.

Vasseur said a ton of garbage was picked up in the first year's clean up and she's hoping there is less this year.