Stream Cleanups

Would you like to volunteer to help clean up a stream in Prince William County? A stream cleanup involves volunteers walking along a stream or paddling a stream channel, collecting trash and recording information. Information recorded can include types and quantities of trash, debris too large to move, and problems encountered, such as clogged channels, illegal dumping, or erosion. Stream Cleanups are an effective way to promote storm water awareness. They are applicable to all water bodies and teach citizens the connection between storm water and the local streams, through direct involvement. Cleanup efforts foster a sense of community ownership of the water body. They are an effective way to improve habitat, water quality, and aesthetics.

We promote 3 options for cleaning streams:
1. Join the Adopt-A-Stream program – clean at least once a year for a two year commitment or join an established group for a one-time cleanup

2. Lead or be part of a Potomac River Watershed Cleanup (Alice Ferguson Foundation) – March or April, one-time cleanup (can be established as an annual event)

3. Lead or be part of an International Coastal Cleanup (Clean VA Waterways) – September or October, one-time cleanup (can be established as an annual event)

If you have any questions about these 3 options or would like help choosing the option that would be best for you, please contact Kelly Jimenez, PWSWCD Adopt-A-Stream Coordinator.

1. Adopt-A-Stream

AAS sign 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), promote and help administer the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Adopt-A-Stream (AAS) program.

After completing at least one cleanup, your AAS group will receive a metal “Adopt-A-Stream” sign (as shown above, with the group’s name and stream name ) from DCR that will be erected at the stream site. Contact PWSWCD for instructions on erecting the sign.

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 call 571.379.7514 or email.

How Do I Get Started?
Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District can help individuals or groups find a stream (see map below) 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 - Click on the Established Group Procedures

Starting your own group - Click on Start a New Group

Join an existing group - Contact the PWSWCD AAS Coordinator or call 571.379.7514 to find an AAS group near you.

Doing a one-time stream cleanup - Contact the PWSWCD AAS Coordinator or call571.379.7514 with your request. The Prince William Park Authority has adopted some sites for volunteers to do one-time cleanups.

2. Potomac River Watershed Cleanup
(Alice Ferguson Foundation)

www.fergusonfoundation.org

In spring 2011, more than 425 participating groups made up of 11,388 volunteers removed more than 456,000 pounds of trash from the Potomac River Watershed. This trash included: 20.66 tons of tires, 6.6 tons of loose trash (bulky items like furniture and scrap metal), and 14,606 bags of trash and recyclables.

The 2011 Cleanup took place at 613 sites in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and West Virginia – all part of the lands, or watershed, that drain into the Potomac River. 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. Choose a stream to clean (Stream Cleanup Site Map). You may clean a stream on your property or on public property. Please contact the PWSWCD AAS Coordinator to double check if the stream is available for adoption.

B. After you have completed step A, click here to access the Alice Ferguson Foundation website.
C. If you would like to borrow litter grabbers or 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 (the Alice Ferguson website).

INTERESTING ITEMS FOUND DURING 2011 AFF CLEANUPS:
29,437 cigarette butts
2,066 tires
253 diapers
53 empty cans of Vienna sausages
12 bicycle handle bars
2 large picnic tables
car engine
pink flamingo lawn ornament
message in a bottle
dozens of bicycles
birthday cake
full propane tank
chemical barrels
bag of hampster food
coffee maker
washing machine
portable basketball court
1930's model car
coin dispenser
unemployment papers

3. International Coastal Cleanup
(Clean VA Waterways)

Clean Virginia Waterways
www.longwood.edu/CLEANVA/iccva.htm

Every September 1 to October 31, 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 (CVW) 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. Choose a stream to clean (Stream Cleanup Site Map). You may clean a stream on your property or on public property. Please contact the PWSWCD AAS Coordinator to double check if the stream is available for adoption.
B. After you have completed step A, click here to access the Clean VA Waterways website.
C. If you would like to borrow litter grabbers or 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 (Clean VA Waterways website).

Stream Cleanup Site Map

Blue Icon Adopted Streams ---------------- Green Icon Available Streams
Left Click on icon for more site information


	2010 Cleanups net tons of trash!

Summer/Fall Cleanups are a Huge Success!

From July through December 259 volunteers cleaned 14.25 miles of streams, picked up 6,140 pounds of trash! 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 learn what you can do right now to improve water quality in your local waterways to the Chesapeake Bay you may join one of our Stream Cleanup Programs. E-mail Kelly Jimenez, or click here for more ideas.

Most unusual items found in streams in Prince William County fall 2010:

Truck tailgate
Flight jacket
Chewing tobacco
Tarp
Rug
Clothes
Sled
Air conditioner frame
Backpack

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