20,000 Pounds of Trash Cleared from Area Creeks
Water. Fish. Chainsaws. One of these things is not like the others – and does not belong in our creeks.
Thanks to the incredible work of volunteers, our creeks are now looking a lot more chainsaw-free.
Nearly 20,000 pounds of trash was picked up from area streams and greenways during Creek Week, an annual celebration of Mecklenburg County’s waterways that took place March 22-29.
Approximately 500 volunteers of all ages participated in this year’s activities, which included litter pick-ups, educational events, and The Big Spring Clean, a one-day clean-up spread over several locations.
Volunteers removed nearly 20,000 pounds of trash from streams and greenways, including 35 tires, eight shopping carts, a washing machine, a chainsaw, and countless cigarettes. They also planted 300 native species to prevent stream erosion, identified and measured 200 trees, and marked 38 storm drains.
Creek Week is hosted by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services. They hold regular volunteer events the second Saturday and last Thursday of every month where residents can help with storm drain markings, stream cleans, tree maintenance and more.