September 2010 marks the return of the Big Dee Day. The Big Dee Day has become an annual event reaching across county and country borders, to tackle marine and coastal litter, which blights the Welsh and English coastline of the River Dee.
Winner of the Best Environmental Partnership in 2008, this event will link conservation, business and residential communities who give 48 hours of full-on commitment to protecting our Dee Estuary coastline for people and wildlife.
With last year’s track record of 70 groups, 1200 people and 3000 bags of rubbish cleared, this event is having a major impact on the local coastal environment.
Co-ordinated by Flintshire County Council’s Coastal Team, the event includes Countryside Services from Denbighshire, Flintshire, Wrexham, Cheshire West, Chester and the Wirral. Big-business support comes from Corus, Kimberley Clark, BHP Billington, Presthaven Sands, Shotton Paper and Kingspan – to name but a few.
On the conservation front, the North Wales Wildlife Trust, the RSPB, N.E.W. Wildlife and the Dee Wildfowlers are clearing up the coastline along the Dee from Rhyl to Wrexham – removing litter such as plastics, nets, bottles and barrels from our beaches, salt marshes, sea defences and riverbanks.
Councillor Arnold Woolley, leader of Flintshire County Council, will attend the breakfast launch of the 48 hour event hosted by Kingspan Panels on September 17.
Councillor Woolley said:
“This event brings together so many people from all backgrounds, to achieve so much. It’s a credit to all the local authorities, businesses, residential and community groups involved. I am looking forward to the launch, where I will be meeting those groups tackling Flintshire’s coastline.”
Any groups wishing to take part should contact Senior Ranger, Mike Taylor, who said:
“This is about direct action to enhance our coastline – it can be just a community clean up in your village or town anywhere along the River Dee. If you have a group who would like to take part we would love to hear from you. Even if you are on your own, please take some litter home from your favourite walk. If a thousand people pick up and recycle just one plastic bottle that makes a huge difference to our environment.”
Please contact Flintshire Countryside Services on 01244 814931.
