Currents September 2017

Did you know that the Great Lakes are the biggest freshwater source in the world? Lake Erie is the most productive for fishing of all the Great Lakes. Your support helps make our streams clean, clear and healthy so they can support this complex ecosystem. By donating to PCS, you help us reach our goals of restoring rivers that lead to Lake Erie beaches that promote fishable and swimmable conditions for generations.

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September

CYSTopTenItems2016Thank you to all the volunteers who registered for Clean Your Streams Day on Saturday, September 23rd!  We are excited to see how many people show up this year to help clean and beautify the waterways and the community.  All the trash picked up this year will be recorded and sent to the Ocean Conservancy as part of the International Coastal Cleanup.  This data helps determine trends and show patterns as to what is being found in the water that shouldn't be there and how we can help remedy this problem.  This event would not be possible without the dedication of all the volunteers and funding for Clean Your Streams Day.

Ready for a Challenge? This year we will be continuing our Clean Your Streams Day Challenge event. Youth and collegiate groups will be able to engage in friendly competitions amongst each other to see who recruits the most volunteers, who can collect the highest number of trash bags, and who demonstrates the best effort with the most bags collected per person. Awards will be provided to the top three winners in each category. Corporate and organizational groups can become Certified River Partners through our Challenge program. River Partner Certification levels will be recognized by the amount of volunteers per group. 50 or more volunteers will become Watershed Warriors, 30-49 volunteers will be River Guardians, 10-29 volunteers will be Stream Protectors and 1-9 volunteers will earn the title of Creek Crusader. More information about the Challenges can be found here. Whatever the Challenge results, the real champion of the day are each and every volunteer who cares for our rivers.  

Last year PCS and its partners celebrated the 20th anniversary of Clean Your Streams Day. Over 960 volunteers came out to seven different locations. Together, they removed over 26,000 pounds of trash from over 30 miles of riverbank. In total, the volunteers removed 730 bags of trash and over 300 tires. For three hours in the rain, CYS volunteers combed through the Maumee, Swan Creek, and Ottawa River watersheds and did their part to help conserve and protect our most precious natural resource. Some of the more unusual items found included: a hair comb, golf balls, $20 bill, shopping carts, 3 baby strollers, bowling pin, an exercise ball, film reel, Christmas ornaments, TI-83 calculator, drawer of socks, mattress, rubber raft, mail box, “Sidewalk Closed” sign, car radio, horse reins, traffic cone, football helmet, tape measure, motor oil can, 67 baseballs, skate board, shotgun shell, dog bowl, hot tub lid, and three fishing poles!

GLOoverallThroughout this summer, we have been busy getting the lead, line, and lures out of our riverways. We had five different events, primarily located at Side Cut Metropark in Maumee and Orleans Park in Perrysburg. 41 volunteers came out to help us beautify the riverbanks of the Maumee. With the help of the Toledo ZooTeens and volunteers from the public, we were able to remove 6.6 pounds of fishing line from the riparian area along with 210 pounds of trash and debris. The fishing line is then sent to Berkley Conservation Institute, where they recycle it and repurpose it for spawning habitat. For more information about their program, click here. Fishing line does not break down in the environment for over 600 years, so this program is one way we can encourage volunteers to help protect their local waterways. We hope that our efforts will also inspire fishermen to be cognizant and responsible for their actions while enjoying the abundant fishing opportunities here in Northwest Ohio. For further information about our Get the Lead Out program, check out our website.

FLRBboyscoutsIn August, we doubled the amount of Fishing Line Recycling Bins we have available. With help from the Boy Scouts and a Venture Scout, we constructed 20 more recycling bins for fishing line in the Toledo area. Boy Scout Troop 66 and Venture Scout Crew 66 met us to help prepare, assemble, and construct 20 bins. We appreciate all the efforts from these troops to help reduce fishing line debris in our waterways. The fishing line collected in the bins is sent off to Berkley Conservation Institute, who recycles the line and converts it into spawning habitat. We currently have 20 bins installed throughout the Toledo area at various parks and fishing hot spots. Some locations include Cullen Park, Orleans Park, Side Cut Metropark, and the National Museum of the Great Lakes. We are still looking for sponsors for the bins and potential locations for installation. If you would like to assist in this program, please contact PCS at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

waterqualityboatcruiseOn the third anniversary of the Lake Erie drinking water crisis, in partnership with the Maumee AOC Advisory Committee, PCS offered the public a chance to tour the Mighty Maumee aboard the Sandpiper boat. Over 60 members of the community took advantage of the opportunity to listen to water quality experts on a range of topics. Our Executive Director, Kris Patterson, Jamie Kochensparger from Lucas County Soil and Water Conservation District, Cheryl Rice with the USDA – Natural Resource Conservation Service, and Paul Bockstahler with the City of Toledo led an insightful discussion on issues affecting our waterways and how individuals can have a positive impact on our water resources. 13abc and WTOL were also present to capture the event and featured it on their news stations. As the Sandpiper cruised down the Maumee River, passengers were able to get views of the Collins Park Water Treatment Plant, the High Level Bridge, the Port Authority area, and the Toledo Terminal Railroad Bridge. Trivia questions about the Maumee Watershed and scenic views of downtown Toledo made the cruise fun for all ages.

PCS LogocolorAs a local non-profit organization, we rely on generous donations of time and financial contribution from our volunteers and members. Without this support, we would not be able to continue providing year-round programs and educational outreach for the community. Our biggest annual event, the 21st Clean Your Streams Day, is quickly approaching and we need your help. Please consider a monetary donation, becoming a member, or volunteering to participate in this event. You can also support Clean Your Streams Day through our GoFundMe page; these donations enable us to purchase the supplies we need for this big day! We need your support to help keep our waters clean!

Currents: September 2017


Your donation, no matter how small, can make a huge difference in the long run. Every penny goes a long way in protecting your water.

 

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Your donation, no matter how small, can make a huge difference in the long run. Every penny goes a long way in protecting your water.

 

Keep Current and Follow us on Social Media

PCS on Facebook PCS on Twitter
PCS on Instragram PCS on Youtube

 

Register to CYS20!



Water Quality Boat Cruise 2017

 

 

 

Terry Shankland
President of the Board
Private Citizen

Andrew Curran
Vice President
Assistant Scout Executive,
Boy Scouts of America

Colleen Dooley
Treasurer
Attorney, Private Practice

Kyle Spicer
Secretary
Private Citizen

Deanna Bobak
Board Member
Private Citizen

Denise Fonner
Board Member
Private Citizen

Jeff Gibbs
Board Member
Private Citizen

Joan King
Board Member
Private Citizen

Chris Smalley
Board Member
Park Services Supervisor
Metroparks of the Toledo Area

Patrick Lawrence, Ph.D.
Past President of Board (non-voting)
Associate Dean, College of Arts & Letters
University of Toledo

Partners for Clean Streams Inc. is striving for abundant open space and a high quality natural environment; adequate floodwater storage capacities and flourishing wildlife; stakeholders who take local ownership in their resources; and rivers, streams and lakes that are clean, clear and safe