Every spring, staff at downtown Peterborough-based civil engineering firm Engage Engineering pull on hip waders and safety boots to remove as much waste and debris as they can from the creek beside their offices.
The waterway, which flows through the city core, tends to collect waste. Dylan Radcliffe, the firm’s senior water resources technician, says it’s hard not to notice, with the latest piece of riverside trash often discussed in the office.
“It’s like, ‘Oh, did you see the bike in the creek this morning?’ or ‘I wonder how those traffic cones ended up in there?'” Radcliffe says.
A few years back, staff decided to do something about it. They set aside a morning to work together, have some fun, and care for the creek.
“We have a barbecue, and I make sure we get a big platter of cannoli,” says Radcliffe, who organizes the annual event. “Everybody loves it. We’ve got a crew on the barbecue, a crew that gets right down into the mud, while others do some planting. It’s a nice staff event where everyone has a role.”
Radcliffe says these efforts align with Engage Engineering’s work designing and supporting communities to be resilient through asset management, floodplain modelling, stormwater management, and community design.
The team also makes sure the cleanup is done safely.
“Before we get in the creek, everybody gets a bit of safety training and knows what needs to happen and how to be safety-aware,” Radcliffe says. “Like, if you’re planting, don’t jump on the shovel, and what the procedure is if you find something questionable.”
“We are careful. We use tongs and gloves and special containers when we need them.”
In addition to cleaning up garbage, Engage Engineering staff plant native species from a local nursery along the banks of the creek. While the area has a lot of sun exposure and heat, over time, staff are learning what will thrive there. This caretaking has lured birds and other animals to the area.
“We have an iNaturalist account for our office where we track the wildlife we’ve seen,” says Radcliffe. “At this point, we have a pretty long-running list of wildlife sightings from our little section of creek. Even though we’re surrounded by concrete, they’re finding it.”
“We get muskrats in there and we’ve had a beaver. Lots of birds are drawn to the nice serviceberries that are thriving. And we get unexpected sightings, like cedar waxwings. We’ve even had herons. It doesn’t take much to create viable, healthy habitat.”
For other businesses looking to support their local wild spaces while enjoying time together, Radcliffe has one tip: just get started. Gather a few workmates, some coffee, a bag and gloves, and pick up a little garbage over lunch.
“It doesn’t have to be a big thing. But that’s how it becomes something.”
Radcliffe points out a resource offered by the City of Peterborough. The City Public Works team makes litter clean-up kits available through their website. Businesses can request kits and arrange after-event waste pick-up by filling out a form online.
Peterborough County businesses can also get involved by adopting a local road section and committing to cleaning it twice a year. The county’s Adopt-A-Road program provides collection supplies, safety equipment, and guidelines. Collected litter can be disposed of free of charge at a designated county transfer station.
“We’re so appreciative to work in an office that’s right next to the creek,” Radcliffe says. “It’s a beautiful environment, a natural little oasis in the middle of downtown Peterborough.”
“The long and short of it is, we protect an area we value by ridding it of garbage, and we have a good time doing it. It’s a great thing to do.”
Engage Engineering is a member of GreenUP’s Green Economy Peterborough (GEP) program, a network that supports local businesses in sustainable practices. Learn more and sign up for the GEP newsletter at www.greeneconomypeterborough.ca.
