How Pender’s Annual Beach Cleanup Began: In Conversation with Michelle Marsden

This year marks Pender’s 37th beach cleanup, a long history that Islander Michelle Marsden set in motion almost four decades ago.

In the early 1980's, Michelle noticed the effects of marine plastic pollution on Pender’s shores. Persistent litter was fouling beaches and entangling and killing wildlife. “I was witnessing these devastating impacts first-hand,” she said.

Michelle organized an initial cleanup on Pender in 1988 and another with boaters and locals in La Paz, Mexico while on a sailing expedition with her family. She formed Project Alto (Against Litter Thrown Overboard, and Spanish for ‘STOP’), which later became BC Coastal Cleanup Campaign.

Canadian Chatalaine article about Michelle and the beginning of a 37-year Pender Island tradition.  Michelle is pictured here trying to capture a Pelican entangled in monofilament line.

Sailing extensively in the eastern north Pacific Ocean was critical to Michelle’s marine conservation education. Her growing concern for ocean health deepened in Hawaii when she collected and surveyed ocean litter on their voyage back to Victoria. This information was shared with the Institute of Ocean Sciences in Pat Bay and led to a sponsorship from them to help Michelle organize a BC-wide beach cleanup in May, 1991.

Michelle collecting marine trash off Pender Island.

“I wanted to encourage others to participate in taking action, promote awareness and educate the public on what was a relatively new but pressing environmental problem.”

In 1992, Michelle received a Governor General’s award (nominated by MP Lynn Hunter) for her conservation work and in 2006, she received the Islands Trust Stewardship Award (nominated by Pender Islands Conservancy).

“These were a great surprise and I gained more inspiration to dedicate my life to this cause,” said Michelle.

In the last decade, the BC Coastal Cleanup Campaign has been involved in ongoing plastic pollution research, education and has aided in the removal of large marine problems, like abandoned and derelict vessels.

Michelle continues to be very involved in Pender’s annual Beach & Roadside Cleanup and also started the King Tide Cleanups in winter.

“My deep love and commitment for the marine environment has been the path I’ve taken to contribute to saving the planet. Through all the years of effort, the reward of seeing others step up to

help in marine conservation is worth the journey.”

Thank you, Michelle, for your tireless commitment to conservation.