2024 Accomplishments:

–  New Website Launch: We’re excited to unveil our refreshed PCS website, making it easier to stay connected and engaged with our mission.

–  Beneficial Use Impairment 7 Removal: We successfully removed Restrictions on Dredging Activities from the Maumee Area of Concern, a major step toward restoring local waterways.

– Clean Your Streams 365: 424 volunteers collected an impressive 6,217.8 lbs. of trash through our year-round clean-up efforts.

– Storm Drain Marking: 58 volunteers stenciled 1,049 storm drains and distributed 3,456 educational door hangers to raise awareness about stormwater pollution.

– Community Water Action in Toledo: 25 volunteer scientists helped sample water from 7 different waterway routes to assess water quality.

– Get the Lead Out: 24 volunteers removed 58.2 lbs. of discarded fishing gear and debris, helping keep our waterways safe for wildlife.

– 28th Anniversary of Clean Your Streams: We celebrated 28 years of this vital program with 649 dedicated waterway stewards working to protect local waters.

Looking Ahead to 2025:

– Expanding Education and Outreach: We’re excited to continue growing our water quality education, stormwater awareness, and communication campaigns, partnering with local organizations to make a bigger impact.

– Increasing Volunteer Participation: We aim to engage more volunteers in our marine debris prevention and clean-up efforts, helping keep our waters pristine.

– Strengthening Partnerships: We look forward to fostering new relationships and reinforcing existing collaborations to create lasting, meaningful change in our community.

None of these accomplishments would be possible without the support of our incredible donors, volunteers, and community partners. As the year ends, we invite you to make PCS part of your holiday giving. Donations can be made securely through our website, or by sending a check to PO Box 203, Perrysburg, OH 43552.

Thank you for keeping Current with us in 2024 We look forward to continuing our work with you in 2025!

Salt is a powerful tool for keeping us safe and preventing slips and slides on icy surfaces, but using it irresponsibly can hurt the environment, your wallet, and your property. Here’s how to make sure you’re salting smart this winter with Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District’s clever acronym S.A.L.T.!

Stuff: Road salt (sodium chloride) works best above 20°F. For colder temperatures, you can use a small amount of sand for added traction, or switch to a deicer, like calcium chloride, that works better in the extreme cold.

Amount: Contrary to popular belief, spreading more salt does not improve deicing. One 12-ounce coffee cup full of salt is enough to cover about 10 standard sidewalk squares. Using a spreader helps ensure consistent spacing, and you should always sweep up excess salt if you find you’ve used too much.

Location: Road salt only belongs on your sidewalk and driveway. That means there’s no need to salt your lawn, flower beds, or the bases of trees. Accidentally applying it to these areas will likely harm your plants!

Timing: Applying salt before a snowstorm can help prevent ice from bonding to the pavement. It’s like giving your driveway a nice winter coat! A thin layer of salt sprinkled before the snow falls will help keep ice from sticking, making it easier to shovel or sweep afterward.

By using salt wisely, you can make sure your winter wonderland stays safe without turning into a salt wasteland. So, this winter, be smart with your salt—your wallet, the environment, and your neighbors will thank you.

How you can help:

• Donate: Your gift supports critical programs and projects like Clean Your Streams 365, Reel in and Recycle, and Water Quality Monitoring through CWAT. You can make a secure donation on our website.
• Volunteer: Joining us on a clean-up, becoming a volunteer scientist, or adopting a fishing line recycling bin are a few of the ways you can get involved! Find out how to volunteer for our programs here. 
• Spread the word: Help expand our network by introducing others to our mission! Share our social media (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter/X) and website.

Your involvement—whether through a donation or volunteering—will directly impact the future of our streams. Donate today at partnersforcleanstreams.org/donate or mail a check to:

Partners for Clean Streams
P.O. Box 203
Perrysburg, OH 43552

Don’t forget to join us at our Annual General Meeting on Thursday, Dec 5th at 5:00 pm at W.W. Knight Conference Center in Perrysburg.

Thank you for being part of the PCS family and for supporting our mission. We can’t do this without you!

Warm regards,

The PCS Team
Jesse Stock, Executive Director

Kayla Kirkpatrick, Program Specialist

Katarina Kieffer, Water Monitoring Analyst

Antonia Beltz, Program Intern

Mary Winkle, Communications & Outreach Specialist

We kindly ask for your participation in completing the survey to share your feedback on how our organization performed in 2024 and to provide suggestions for improvements in 2025. Your insights are incredibly valuable to us, as your voices are the driving force behind the work we do. As the key stakeholders in our efforts, you play a crucial role in shaping the results we achieve, including our ongoing commitment to providing cleaner water in our area.

Your feedback will help us understand what we’ve done well and where we can grow, ensuring that we continue to meet the needs of our community and work towards even greater environmental success. Together, we can make a lasting difference in the quality of the water that sustains us all. Thank you for your time and for being a part of this important mission!