Inspiring Personal Responsibility for our Environment and Natural Resources.

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 ¼ mile, once (preferably twice) a year for a minimum two year commitment.

We, at Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District (PWSWCD), help the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) administer the Adopt-A-Stream (AAS) 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 AAS group will receive a metal “Adopt-A-Stream” sign (as shown above, 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 AAS program and receive recognition for their stewardship of the environment. Your group or organization can help preserve, protect and revitalize community streams. The AAS 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!

For information or to schedule a speaker for your group about the AAS program contact Kelly Jimenez 703.594.3621 or Kelly Jimenez.

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, join an existing group, or do a one-time cleanup.

Established Group Procedures - Click on the Established Group Procedures on the side bar

Starting your own group - Click on Start a new group on the side bar

Join an existing group - Contact the AAS Coordinator Kelly Jimenez at 703.594.3621 or email Kelly Jimenez to find an AAS group near you.

Doing a one-time stream cleanup - Contact the AAS Coordinator Kelly Jimenez at 703.594.3621 or email Kelly Jimenez with your request. The Prince William Park Authority has adopted some sites for volunteers to do one-time cleanups.

2. Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup
(Alice Ferguson Foundation)

www.fergusonfoundation.org

Since 1989, more than 50,000 volunteers have teamed with 375 partner organizations to tug over 3 million tons of trash from the Potomac River watershed’s streams, rivers and bays. Last year’s haul of over 290 tons included more than 27 tons of recyclables, 41,122 Plastic bags, 2,095 tires, 17 bicycles, 16 shopping carts, 9 Metal and plastic barrels, 5 TVs and 5 refrigerators!

The 2009 Cleanup took place at over 500 sites in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and West Virginia – all part of the lands, or watershed, that drain into the Potomac. Locations included fields, forests, parking lots and other ‘inland’ sites, where the trash can be removed before it enters creeks and other waterways.

Why participate? The Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup has become a decisive catalyst for progress that ignites people throughout the watershed with the Alice Ferguson Foundation's community spirit. The largest regional event of its kind, the Cleanup provides a transforming experience that engages citizens and community leaders and generates momentum for change.

How do I participate?

• If you would like to be a Site Leader and host your own stream cleanup:
  • A. Contact Kelly Jimenez to find a stream to clean or get cleared for a site you are considering.
• B. After you have completed step A, click here.
• C. If you would like to arrange to have your stream cleanup trash picked up and weighed by the county, please contact Kelly Jimenez

• If you would like to volunteer to help clean a stream at an already established site click here.

 

3. International Coastal Cleanup
(Clean VA Waterways)

www.longwood.edu/CLEANVA/iccva.htm

Every September and October, volunteers across Virginia from the mountains to the oceans gather along the shorelines of rivers, lakes, ponds and bays to pick up trash as part of the Virginia Waterways Cleanup Day (part of the International Coastal Cleanup). They also complete "International Coastal Cleanup Data Cards" from the Ocean Conservancy, helping to collect valuable information about the amounts, types and sources of debris found along Virginia's waterways. CVW's cleanup events educate the public on issues of freshwater and marine pollution, especially the preventable problem of litter.

Note: The official date for the International Coastal Cleanup is the third Saturday in September. Here in Virginia, cleanup coordinators can select any date in September or October that best fits their schedule.

Why participate? The International Coastal Cleanup is active in most states, and in 100 countries. As volunteers in Virginia are bagging trash and filling out data cards, more than 350,000 people worldwide are doing the same! Ocean Conservancy compiles the data received from sites around the world, and prepares a summary report to be used by citizens and policy makers in evaluating our progress in dealing with this serious form of pollution. The International Coastal Cleanup is the world's largest volunteer data collection effort devoted to the marine environment.

How do I participate?

• If you would like to be a Site Captain and organize your own stream cleanup site:
• A. Contact Kelly Jimenez to find a stream to clean or get cleared for a site you are considering.
• B. After you have completed step A, click here
• C. If you would like to arrange to have your stream cleanup trash picked up and weighed by the county, please contact Kelly Jimenez

• If you would like to volunteer at a local "Clean Virginia Waterways" site and be part of the International Coastal Cleanup click here
  

BAE Systems Cleanup	Boy Scout Troop 964

Princedale Ridgedale Community Pride	Osbourn Park High School Booster Club

Summer/Fall Cleanups are a Huge Success!

From July through December 254 volunteers cleaned 17.5 miles of streams, picked up 5,884 pounds of trash, and 3 new miles of stream have been adopted! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! A big THANK YOU to all of the groups that cleaned streams and helped to improve water quality in Prince William County! We really appreciate your efforts!
To see the complete list of group clean ups click here.

To learn what you can do right now to improve water quality in your local waterways to the Chesapeake Bay you may become an Adopt-A-Stream Steward, or sign up for a one time cleanup - email Kelly Jimenez, or click here for more ideas.

Scheduled Spring Cleanups Needing Help:

April 10, 9am - noon Adopt-A-Stream Cleanup at Town of Occoquan and Lake Ridge Marina, organized by Friends of the Occoquan (FOTO)

April 10, 9am - 4pm Potomac River Watershed Cleanup (Alice Ferguson Foundation) on Occoquan River beginning below Lake Jackson Dam, organized by Prince William Trails and Streams Coalition (keep checking website for updates)

April 24, 9am to noon Potomac River Watershed and Adopt-A-Stream Cleanup at Veterans Park, organized by Prince William County Service Authority

Most common items found in VA Waterways Food wrappers Drink bottles, cups, and cans Bags Caps/lids Cigarettes Balloons (yes, Balloons!) Straws/stirrers Tires 60-80% of litter in our waterways comes from inland sources where water flowing downhill carries it into lower-lying areas in each watershed.

Most unusual items found in Prince William County:

• Mail box   
• Parts of a crib
• Remnants of a Don’s Jon
• Shopping carts
• Bicycles
• Refrigerator parts
• Motorized bike
• Parts of a toilet (seat, bowl)
• Couch frame and bed spring
• Child’s play set