What is
Adopt-A-Stream?
There are about 1,100 miles of streams in Prince
William County. In the Adopt-A-Stream program, volunteers agree to
pick up litter along their adopted stream segment of at least a ¼
mile, once (preferably twice) a year for a minimum two year
commitment.
We, Prince William Soil and Water Conservation
District (PWSWCD), help the Virginia Department of Conservation and
Recreation (DCR) administer the Adopt-A-Stream program. PWSWCD will
arrange for the cleanup group to be supplied with orange vests, trash
bags, and gloves. On the cleanup date, trash is collected in and
along the stream. The group keeps track of the number of bags
collected and the type of trash collected. If needed, PWSWCD can
arrange to have the trash picked up and weighed by the County.
After completing at least one cleanup, the
Adopt-A-Stream group will receive a metal “Adopt-A-Stream” sign (with
the group’s name and stream name ) that will be erected at the stream
site.
Who Can Adopt
a Stream?
Scout
Troops, 4-H clubs, ecology clubs, schools or school clubs, families,
individuals, businesses, church groups, sports teams, home-school
groups, or other organizations can adopt a stream. Students can use
the time toward community service hours. Businesses are strongly urged
to join the Adopt-A-Stream program and receive recognition for their
stewardship of the environment. Your group or organization can help
preserve, protect and revitalize community streams. The Adopt-A-Stream
program benefits our local Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay
watersheds. It is easy, fun, and a great team-building experience for
all ages. Join us and you will really make a difference!
How Do I Get
Started?
Prince William Soil and Water Conservation
District can help individuals or groups find a stream or you can
select a stream on your property. You can start your own group or if
you wish to join an existing group we may be able to match you with a
group in your area.
If you are starting your own group and have
chosen a stream, the first step is to complete the
Designation and Agreement
form. Once you have decided on a specific date for your
cleanup, you will need to complete the
Cleanup Event
Notification form. Please review the
Safety Guidelines with everyone
in your group before your cleanup. During your cleanup, every member
of your group will need to sign a
Liability Release form.
There is also a Cleanup
Sign-in Sheet for everyone to sign. After the cleanup, please send
us the Cleanup Data form.
To view all forms.
Call or e-mail Kelly Jimenez, Outreach and
Education Specialist at (703) 594-3621 or
kellyjimenez@pwswcd.org, with any questions or to request
information or schedule a speaker for your group.
Osbourn
Park High School Booster Club on 3-21-09
Princedale Ridgedale Community Pride on 4-4-09
Spring Clean-ups were a HUGE
success! A big THANK YOU to all who cleaned up waterways to
improve water quality in Prince William County.
Twenty three groups representing 837 volunteers, cleaned
23.75 miles of waterway this spring picking up 25,407 pounds
of trash.
Represented in this poundage was more than 163
tires, remnants of a Don's Jon, 5 gallons of motor oil, a truckload
of: metal car parts, couch frame, car seat frame and door, motorized
bike, wood fencing, and the usual paper, plastic bottles, glass,
Styrofoam, cigarette butts, etc....... and just about anything else
you can think of.
The record trash pick up this spring was 7,220
pounds in one half mile on Neabsco Creek at Route 1 by 53 members of
the Woodbridge Potomac Communities Civic Association. Runner up
is 5,900 pounds in one mile on Marumsco Creek at Veteran's Park by 150
volunteers helping the Prince William Service Authority and Prince
William Park Authority. To see the complete list of clean ups
click here.
To learn what you can do right
now to improve water quality from your local waterways to the
Chesapeake Bay,
click here.
