“It’s our community and our planet,” said Emmanuelle Larocque, one of the members of Mères au front, a Montréal-based grassroots group of mothers and grandmothers who are active in promoting ecological politics and environmental awareness. 

Larocque, a Russell Township resident who studies at the University of Ottawa, is one of the organizers of the Prescott-Russell chapter of the group. The Défi Vert Green Challenge is one of the group’s projects to both encourage environmental education and also community involvement by the simple act of picking up litter. 

“We’re working with other organizes in the area on this,” Larocque said. 

The idea behind the Défi Vert/Green Challenge is that people who are homebound during the pandemic need to get outside for a little bit for physical activity and help chase away the winter blues. During a walk or a bike ride, people can bring a pair of gloves and a plastic bag with them and collect any litter they find along the road or the trail. 

The group is using April as its Défi Vert/Green Challenge month because Earth Day is April 22. Residents are encouraged to collect litter in support of Earth Day and also to show pride in their community by being more aware of kind of disposable items often get tossed away. 

More information on the event is on the Défi Vert Facebook page.