Shoreline cleanup in Lockport helps protect bird habitats [Video]

Manitoba’s feathered friends got some help as volunteers were hard at work cleaning up their environment.

Volunteers hit the shores of the Red River on Wednesday, cleaning up plastic, microplastics and garbage that had washed up near Lockport to help protect birds.

“Birds are threatened. There’s not a lot of habitat left for them, and so anything anybody can do to help them out and help them survive makes a big difference,” said Valerie Norquay, a volunteer who helped clean the shore.

“I’m a fisherman, so I feel it’s my duty to pull out as much fishing line as I can,” said volunteer Cherylene Kentner. “And I think today I’ve pulled out way more than I’ve ever left behind anywhere.”

The Manitoba Important Bird Areas Program organized the cleanup in an area popular with multiple species, including the white pelican. Marissa Berard, program coordinator with the group, said habitat loss …