Stream Sweep a success with more than a ton of litter, tires picked up
STREAM SWEEPERS – Members of local 4H groups, the Salem Center Go-Getters and the Pioneers, were among those participating in the annual Leading Creek Stream Sweep held Saturday morning near Rutland. Shown are, from left: Trace Erwin, Advisor Robie Erwin, Addie McDaniel, Kayla Erwin, Lauryn Woodall, Amber Heil, Maggie Musser, Kastle Hall, Hannah Erwin, Gabrielle Oldaker, Elizabeth Oldaker, and Advisor Dawn Kopec.
RUTLAND – Approximately 40 people attended the 16th annual Leading Creek Stream Sweep, which was held Saturday morning at the Meigs SWCD Conservation Area near Rutland.
Those attending included two 4H groups, the Salem Center Go-Getters, and the Pioneers, and Girl Scout Troop 1004 and Boy Scout Troop 299.
Volunteers fanned out across the Leading Creek watershed and returned to the Conservation Area with their bags which were tossed onto Rutland Township dumptrucks or SWCD pickup trucks for disposal. Volunteers collected 1.15 tons of garbage and litter along with a truckload of old tires.
“I’m grateful for these groups and volunteers spending their Saturday morning coming out helping clean up the environment,” said organizer Jim Freeman, wildlife specialist with the Meigs Soil and Water Conservation District. “Most of our volunteers have participated in the past, and they are passing along the tradition to a new group of sweepers.”
The first Leading Creek Stream Sweep was held in 2001, and it generally corresponds with the annual Earth Day observance. Sponsors included Meigs SWCD, Rutland Township Board of Trustees, and the Meigs Transfer Station.
