The Maumee watershed is well-known for its great fishing, but unfortunately some of the debris from the fishing runs gets left behind in our waterways. Our Get the Lead Out program focuses on removing the lead, lures, and lines that remain in the ecosystem. The Toledo Zoo Teens and other volunteers have helped us to collect trash and protect wildlife and coastal habitat. Our last event was cancelled due to heavy rain, but we have added two more GLO dates to our calendars. Our next session will be held Tuesday, August 8th from 6:00-8:00 at Side Cut Metropark, near the playground. Weather-permitting, we will also be out on August 23rd from 6:00-8:00 at Orleans Park.   Please check our calendar on our website for any updates or call our office at (419) 874-0727. Hope to see you out there!  

Meet the new Communication and Outreach Specialist – Hannah Smith. She joined us in July and is excited to be a part of the PCS team. Originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana, she recently received her Bachelors of Science in Environmental Management from Indiana University. Her passion for conservation and water quality began on her Boundary Waters canoe trips in middle and high school.  Hiking, camping, and enjoying the wilderness led her to focus on environmental affairs for her career.  Wetland mitigation and restoration have been an area of interest while interning at a non-profit called Little River Wetlands in Indiana and Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge in Oak Harbor.  She hopes to make a positive impact in water quality in her Lake Erie community.

Are you a swimmer, kayaker, fisher, or just someone who enjoys being out on the water? Living in this region, we are lucky to have access to a plethora of waterways, including coasts, rivers, and streams. Often, we do not utilize the resources around us, including the unique Maumee watershed. Many people in our community are unaware of where to go to enjoy our natural resources. For those who are interested in trying out new activities, there is a guide book that lists what is available and where to go.

The ODNR has published a comprehensive book of all the Lake Erie public access sites. There are over 169 coastal that are free to the public along the coast line. If you are interested in enjoying the regions’ rivers, there are over 870 field-checked miles with 220 access points. Some of the features of the access points include: nature centers, birding trails, hiking trails, camping, and recreational activities. Some sites even offer horse riding trails and activities such as archery, arts and crafts, and wildlife exhibits. Each access point on the ODNR website indicates what is available at each location.

Lake Erie is truly a paddler’s paradise with historical, ecological, and cultural significance. Kayaking has become an increasingly popular hobby and our region has many access points and boat launches. Many sites also offer day-time rentals for paddleboats, canoes, and kayaks. Fishing and swimming are permissible at many locations along the coast. Recreation of all kinds is available at these sites, so no matter what your interest, this is a great resource.

To get more information on local access points, head to the ODNR’s website. We also have printed guides to Lake Erie’s public access locations (coastal and rivers) available for free at our office. Stop in today to get your copy and be a tourist in your own town!

As Partners for Clean Streams is a small, non-profit organization, we rely heavily on the generosity of our volunteers and donations from individuals and businesses to keep our programs running and our streams clean. Programs, such as our quickly approaching 21st annual Clean Your Streams Day, could not happen without these funding sources and the kindness of our sponsors and donors. Please help Partners for Clean Streams to continue our cleanups and educational programs by donating to our cause through monetary donations, by becoming a PCS member, and by volunteering for our programs. Thank you again for your continued help and support!