Sip some suds with us to support our streams!  Our friends at Earnest Brew Works are hosting a fundraiser for PCS to support our stream cleanup programs.  On Tuesday, April 23rd, from 5-9pm, Earnest Brew Works will donate $1 per pint on selected beers towards PCS programs. We will be auctioning off a fun sign to the highest bidder and doing a 50/50 raffle.  More details to come so watch our social media! There will be a food truck, fellowship, and the finest drinks in town, so show the planet and your taste buds some love and come out to Earnest Brew Works on Tuesday 4/23!

Our water quality programs would not be possible without the dedication of our volunteers.  April 7th-13th is National Volunteer Week, when we celebrate all the volunteers who helped us improve our local environment throughout the year.  Our Storm Drain Marking, CYS 365, Get the Lead Outs, Glass City Marathon Green Team, Fishing Line Recycling Bins, and of course, Clean Your Streams Day programs are only successful because of volunteers like you!  In 2018, we had 1,584 individuals who came out to take care of our streams.  We are inspired by how many people care about the health of our waterways.  If you want to support our streams, there are several upcoming opportunities for you to volunteer.

• Perrysburg is hosting their Great American Cleanup every Saturday morning from 9am-12pm from April 6th - May 18th.  Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the City of Perrysburg for more information and to register.  She will provide all necessary supplies.   
• Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) is the largest youth service and civic action event in the world and the only one that celebrates, expands, and sustains the capacity of all youth ages 5-25 and their communities to thrive by working together for the common good.  Get a jump-start on Earth Day by organizing a group to monitor and clean out our Fishing Line Recycling Bins along the Maumee River or organize a stream cleanup (even if you it’s still too cold to get in the water!). More information about GYSD can be found online.
• Join the #trashchallenge trending on Twitter! Teens around the world are improving the environment by removing as much trash as possible and documenting their efforts with before and after pictures.  Contact us to participate in the #trashchallenge through our CYS365 program.  We provide all the supplies you need to make a difference.  

Earth Day is officially on Monday, April 22nd this year, but you can celebrate all month long!  PCS is excited to be attending several outreach events this month where we can share what we do and why we do it.  April is the perfect month to do something positive for the planet.  There are many ways to engage with local environmental programs and enjoy eco-friendly festivities! Our partners are putting on wonderful programs throughout Northwest Ohio and here are just a few:

• EcoFest Toledo: the first ever EcoFest Toledo, organized by Lucas County Sustainability Commission, will feature free family fun with shopping, recycling activities, workshops, live music, local food, green booths, kids activities, and demonstrations! PCS will be there with a booth where you can build your own personal fishing line recycling bins.
  • Saturday, April 13th from 10am – 7pm 
  • 1717 Adams St., Toledo
• Habitat for Humanity ReStore The Earth Event: come out to recycle (for free!) your old computers, printers, servers, network equipment, personal electronics, and paint (for $1/gallon)
  • Saturday, April 13th from 10am-3pm
  • 1310 Conant St., Maumee
• Toledo Zoo Party for the Planet: celebrate Mother Earth and learn all about recycling, reusing, and conserving our world through educational displays and fun activities.  Don’t forget about the paint and e-waste recycling station in the Anthony Wayne Trail Parking Lot!
  • Saturday, April 27th from 10am-4pm
• Bowling Green’s Community Earth Day: enjoy our Earth with fun activities like archery, power-generating bicycles, WCDPL bookmobile, a giant Earth ball, nature walks, storytime, arts and crafts, and more!
  • Sunday, April 28th from 2-4pm
  • Montessori School (515 Sand Ridge Rd.)

Be sure to check out our calendar and follow us on social media to see what we’re up to during Earth Month!

If you can’t come out to any of our volunteer opportunities this month, consider making an impact in a different way.  You can feel good about going green by giving green.  We rely on donations and sponsorships to continue to make an impact on our streams, rivers, and Lake Erie.  Your support allows us to purchase cleanup supplies, grow our programs, and expand our efforts in our area.  You can donate directly to PCS with a credit card through our secure PayPal account or by writing a check.  Help us do more for the waterways this Spring by supporting our programs and our planet!