Volunteers from Catalyst Paper Corporation and Halalt First Nation Reserve help cleanup Chemainus River on September 27, 2013

CHEMAINUS, BC, Sept. 24, 2013 /CNW/ - In a joint effort in promoting stewardship, environmental responsibility and community engagement; Catalyst Paper is partnering with Halalt First Nation, with support from the Young Professionals of Cowichan, Crofton Fire Hall, and Island Corridor Foundation to participate in the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, a conservation initiative of the Vancouver Aquarium and World Wildlife Fund of Canada.

Catalyst Paper and Halalt First Nation have identified an area along the Chemainus River near the intersection of Halalt Road and Westholme Road to conserve as natural habitat for wildlife and recreation area for the community.  The cooperative cleanup effort will begin at 2:30 p.m. and conclude with a BBQ on-site provided by Catalyst Paper at 4:30 p.m.

In its 20-year history, the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup has come to attract over 50,000 volunteers across Canada annually and has benefitted approximately 22,000 kilometres of shorelines, making it one of the largest volunteer cleanup efforts in the world. Catalyst Paper and Halalt First Nation extend the invitation to residents of the North Cowichan community to the cleanup happening on Friday, September 27, 2013. To arrive at the cleanup site, turn onto the unmarked road to head Northwest from the intersection of Halalt Road and Westholme Road. Park vehicles in a safe location and walk toward the Chemainus River to join the cleanup.

About Halalt First Nation

Halalt First Nation is one of six bands that make up Hul'qumi'num Treaty Group. They are located 13km north of Duncan in the district of Westholme and comprise approximately 200 members. They are well known for shellfish harvesting and Robert James Thomas is the Chief.

About Catalyst Paper

Catalyst Paper manufactures diverse specialty mechanical printing papers, newsprint and pulp. Its customers include retailers, publishers and commercial printers in North America, Latin America, the Pacific Rim and Europe. With three mills in British Columbia, Catalyst has a combined annual product capacity of 1.5 million tonnes. The company is headquartered in Richmond, British Columbia and its common shares trade on the Toronto Exchange under the symbol CYT. Catalyst Paper is ranked by Corporate Knights Inc. as one of the 50 Best Corporate Citizens in Canada.

About Young Professionals of Cowichan

The Young Professionals of Cowichan (YPC) is a not-for-profit organization that unifies Cowichan's under~45 business professionals and entrepreneurs for the purpose of networking, community involvement, and professional development. The YPC hopes to build partnerships with Cowichan's leading businesses, educational institutions, and community groups in order to assist our members in developing the skills they will need to become the next generation of leaders in the Cowichan Valley.

SOURCE: Catalyst Paper Corporation

For further information, Catalyst Paper, contact:
Brian Houle - Environment Manager, 250-246-6236, [email protected]

For further information, Halalt First Nation, contact:
Nicole Norris - Island Corridor Foundation, 250-668-2813, [email protected]

For further information, Young Professionals of Cowichan, contact:
Travis Peterson - Public Relations, 250-510-9876, [email protected]