Upper Governor Road connects the communities of North and East Preston
and is known locally as the “Connector Road” because it provides a “connection”
between the two communities. Because the road is uninhabited and isolated, it has been
an illegal dumping ground for decades.

Clean Nova Scotia decided to tackle the problem. With the help of funding from HRM, RRFB Nova Scotia and the assistance of the Nova Scotia Youth Corps, program officer Tina Kane organized a community connection approach to solving the problem. Tina initiated a door-to-door campaign to gain community support for a massive clean-up project. Tina and her supporters solicited the help of the Halifax Regional Water Commission, and the Department of Transportation and Public Works to haul out debris from the woods near the road. In total, 164 tonnes of materials were collected and either recycled or sent to disposal. The materials recycled included 125 tires, 23 abandoned cars, and 75 large appliances.

Clean-up efforts didn’t stop there. Ongoing education and awareness as well as enforcement of illegal dumping regulations will keep Upper Governor Road from becoming a dumping ground again.

Tina Kane, project coordinator for Clean Nova Scotia, accepted the RRFB Nova Scotia Mobius Award for Best Community-based Project on behalf of the Connection Cleanup Project.