Environmental challenge concludes with epic achievements!
More than 1,000 local heroes united to complete conservation quests this summer!
Helen Schuler Nature Centre’s inaugural Verdant Quest challenge has reached its victorious conclusion. For the past three months, adventurers from across Lethbridge heeded the call to pick up litter, vanquish dog waste and invasive species, protect shorelines and rid the land of the menace of cigarette butts. The result is a cleaner and healthier Lethbridge thanks to their efforts.
Together, participants across all initiatives:
• Removed 445 bags of litter from the coulees and river valley
• Picked up more than 900 dog poops from Lethbridge’s five dog parks
• Recorded 1,200 cigarette butts removed in shoreline clean-ups
Additionally, about 25 per cent of all Verdant Quest entrants joined a Nature Centre or City of Lethbridge conservation project for the first time.
“Like any great adventure, the quest for environmental stewardship never really ends.” says Chelsea Sherbut, Resource Development Coordinator at the Helen Schuler Nature Centre. “I’m thrilled to see so many local heroes engaging in nature initiatives this year. I can’t wait to see what we accomplish next year.”
As part of the celebration, prize winners were drawn, with Adventurers “4 the Fun of It” and “Birdie P.” each claiming a grand prize of a Waterton vacation or a Lethbridge staycation, both valued at approximately $900.
“I participated because we spend a lot of time outdoors, and I wanted to do our small part to keep the parks beautiful and healthy.” said one winner.
The adventure isn’t over - there are still pocket ashtrays available at the Nature Centre for anyone who wants to continue the fight against litter. Next year’s quest is expected to launch in April.
