The First River Cleanup of the Season

 

from MF Master Naturalists

A sure sign that Spring is in the air is the arrival of river cleanup season. On March 11th 2023  The Bull Run Watershed Protectors will hold the first river cleanup of the season in Manassas cleaning the stream valley behind Costco, across Lomond to Ashton Rd. and the shops/restaurants adjacent down to Walgreens at Sudley Manor Road.

The community, Honor Societies, Scout troops and ROTC’s have helped to remove over 12,000 lbs. of trash since 2018 from the stream valley.  The result has been the return of frogs, toads and salamanders.  Which are indicator species for clean water.  

Unfortunately, it is necessary to hold these river cleanups annually. Year after year volunteers clean our roadways, streams, rivers, and streambeds of trash that started as litter and carried along by stormwater and wind into our waterways and parks. We also remove items that were illegally dumped or carried by off by storms. Don’t litter and teach your children not to litter, that is the best way to prevent trash along our roads, streams and waterways. Bring the kids out to help cleanup the trash dropped or thrown on the ground. It does not magically disappear, but finds its way carried by stormwater to our waterways and parklands disrupting the natural water flow and beauty of our natural world. Come out and help us make our water ways free of trash.

The Bull Run Watershed Protectors are the Merrimac Farm Master Naturalists, Friends of the Square, Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District, Keep Prince William Beautiful, Prince William County Watershed Division and Environmental Services. They will provide safety vests, gloves, grabbers and bags. Pleas join in this worthwhile endeavor! Online sign up is at this link.

Rain date: Saturday, March 18th, same time and place

https://www.mapquest.com/us/virginia/walgreens-262893878