Would a stream cleanup benefit your community?

Hosting a stream cleanup is a good way to raise awareness and motivate action around protecting our rivers, lakes, and streams. A stream cleanup allows students to become directly involved in preventing water pollution. Participants walk along the stream or river, collect trash, and record information about the quantity and types of garbage they remove. Stream cleanups also provide an opportunity for involving and educating parents and other community members.

$10 – $1,000, depending on disposal costs, size of project area, and number of volunteers. The main costs include purchasing trash bags and arranging for disposal of the waste collected.

None, although you might choose to “adopt” a section of a river or stream and revisit it occasionally.

• Local environmental organization (in Grand Rapids, this could be WMEAC)

• Local waste hauler

• Calculate the pounds of trash removed

• Coordinate with a local conservation organization to see if you can join forces.

• American Rivers maintains a database of active cleanups throughout the United States. They also can provide resources – such as bags – for your cleanup.