Thank you to all of our volunteers, University of Toledo’s Rocket Recycling team, Keep Toledo/Lucas County Beautiful, Toledo Roadrunners Club, and runners who supported our sustainability mission at the Mercy Health Glass City Marathon!  For the sixth year, PCS has led the “Green Team” to reduce packaging waste, prevent potential marine debris into the Ottawa River, and divert thousands of pounds of recyclable materials from a lifetime in the landfill.  This year, we recycled energy gel packs through the Terracycle program, plastic water bottles, cardboard, and plastic overwrap.  For more about our efforts, check out our social media page and website.  Thanks to everyone who made a donation or volunteered their time with us during race weekend! You can still support the Green Team by making a donation here.

The water levels of the Maumee River are lowering, slowly, and the walleye have finished their runs. Soon we can wander along the banks of the Maumee looking for left-behind lead and fishing line. Get the Lead Out! is one of our annual programs. It is great for volunteers of all ages and can be done throughout the summer season. We will have a schedule up soon and you can also schedule your own private event. Contact our office if you plan to attend one of our upcoming public events or wish to schedule your own private Get the Lead Out!  Still, need convincing that this program is great for you? This video will take you up close to what it is really like to take part in Get the Lead Out! For more information or to register a group, check out our website.

Clean Your Streams 365 is a year-round effort to give more power to the public to reduce marine debris locally. Our rivers collect trash year-round, unfortunately, so we decided they should be cleaned 365 days a year (except, of course, when the river is flooded or frozen!). Clean Your Streams 365 allows groups of any size, age, and/or ability level to directly improve rivers by working in streams and along the bank. Upon registration, volunteers will be assigned a location to clean depending on their skills, preference, and clean-up needs. We loan out a supply kit complete with cleanup supplies, First Aid kits, data collection reporting forms, and detailed instructions. Date and time depend on the weather, water levels of the river, and group preferences. This way, we can give water a hand nearly 365 days a year! We have several groups and companies scheduled for at CYS 365 sign up your company today!  For information or to register a group, check out our website. 

Although life in Beijing was exciting, it was easy to miss mature trees and diverse wildlife. Liv started a habit of hiking and camping trips in the countryside hills outside the city. When they moved back to the United States, it was with a newfound appreciation for America’s unique place in environmental history, and a deep longing to work in environmental advocacy.

Liv earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Bowling Green State University in 2019. Since returning to Northwest Ohio, they’ve worked in visitor engagement at the Toledo Museum of Art, as an administrative assistant to the Buddhist Temple of Toledo, and as an LGBT advocate, both as an independent consultant and with Equality Toledo.

Liv enjoys the area’s many parks in all four seasons: cross-country skiing in winter, wildflower identification in spring, camping in summer, and trail biking in the fall. When they’re not outside, Liv can be found singing, playing guitar, and storytelling via elaborate Dungeons & Dragons games with friends.