1.) Where are you with your action? I am in the planning and preparation stage of my action project. I decided I will go with my mom to the Coquitlam River to do a small clean-up. Since my mom is busy, it’s easier to go somewhere close. We also go there a lot in the summer, so i know the place well. We already bought garbage bags and gloves, so we are ready.
2.) What are some successes that you have had? One success I’ve had is that I noticed how much litter is around the river, and I even picked up a few pieces last time we were there. Another success is that I talked to two friends about the project, and they said they might want to join me next time. This made me feel like I’m already making a small difference.
3.) What are some challenges that you have faced? Have you been able to overcome them? One challenge is the weather. The forecast says it might rain on Saturday, which could make cleaning harder. To deal with this, I will bring a jacket and an umbrella so I can still help even if it rains a little. Another challenge is that my mom is busy, but we found a time that works for both of us.
4.) What are you doing next and why? Finally, I will go to the Coquitlam River with my mom to do the actual clean-up. I hope that what I do will make other people care about the environment too. If friends, family, or people we see at the river notice us picking up trash, it might make them want to help too. Doing this now can have a chain effect, showing that even small actions can make a difference.
The City of Vancouver has a program called the Neighborhood Cleanup Party that is very similar to the clean-up I am planning at the Coquitlam River. (1) Volunteers are given gloves, garbage bags, and litter pickers to help clean local areas, just like I will be using for my project.(1) This program focuses on keeping local streets, parks, and waterways free of trash, which shows how small actions can make a big difference in the community. (1) Many volunteers, including families and friends, take part, and the City helps with collecting and disposing of the trash afterward.(1) Seeing how the City organizes these clean-ups makes me realize that even small efforts, like my river clean-up, contribute to a larger goal of protecting the environment. It also makes me think that in the future, I could volunteer with similar programs to help even more.
1.Vancouver, C. of. (n.d.). Neighborhood cleanup programs. Retrieved November 17, 2025, from https://vancouver.ca/people-programs/neighbourhood-cleanup-programs.aspx
The City of Vancouver website is a trustworthy website. It is the official government site, vancouver.ca, and provides detailed information about programs like the Neighborhood Cleanup Party, including instructions, safety guidelines, and contact information. This makes it a reliable source for my project.
Also none of these pictures were taken by me i will put my own pictures in the next blog post these pictures are from google and the city of Vancouver website.
Hey Salma! I loved how you are really focusing on the preparation of your project and how you clearly show which steps you’ve already accomplished. One suggestion I have is to explain why you chose this project, and why you think it’s important to clean the river. Was it personal? Because you went there in the summer, or because you deeply care about the environment? Adding these explanations could make your points very impactful. Here is a site that could help you: https://www.wwf.org.uk/updates/why-are-rivers-so-important-and-how-can-we-protect-them. In summary, you are doing a great job in preparing to protect your environment, can’t wait to read your next post!