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!

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

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.

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!

We’re excited to invite you to our Annual General Meeting (AGM) on December 5th!

This is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our achievements from the past year, honor the recipient of our Annual Environmental Stewardship and Involvement Award, celebrate the winners of the Clean Your Streams Challenges, and conduct essential organizational business, including the election of our Board of Directors.

The meeting will take place at W.W. Knight Preserve in Perrysburg. Doors will open at 5:00 PM for dinner catered by Schlotzskys, refreshments, and networking. The official meeting will kick off at 6:00 PM.

If you’re interested in contributing your expertise and vision by joining our Board of Directors, please reach out to us at [email protected]. Nominations for the Board will also be accepted during the meeting. Additionally, if you’d like to have a say in the Board elections and aren’t yet a general member of PCS, consider donating today to become a member.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Through our CYS 365 program, you can volunteer with us to create clearer, cleaner waterways year-round!

Every piece of litter you pick up helps protect our local wildlife, beautify our parks, and foster a cleaner environment for everyone. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to connect with neighbors and enjoy the crisp autumn air!

Fall Clean-Up Advantages:

• Weather: Enjoy cooler temperatures that make it comfortable to work outside for longer periods.
• Foliage: Falling leaves make litter more visible against the bare ground, making it easier to spot and collect.
• Lower Bug Activity: Fewer insects in the fall can create a more pleasant experience compared to summer months.
• Community Spirit: The season often inspires higher volunteer turnout and community involvement.

While each season has its challenges, fall clean-ups certainly offer some unique benefits!

You can choose to participate in staff-led clean-ups or organize one on your own. Select your own date, time, and location for the clean-up, or reach out to PCS staff for suggestions if you need assistance. Whether you join a group or tackle a spot solo, your efforts truly matter!

PCS will provide all necessary clean-up materials, including gloves, trash bags, data cards, and grabbers, ensuring you have everything you need to make a difference.

Gather your family, friends, or colleagues, and let’s work together to make our waterways cleaner and our community shine this fall!

Fill out the CYS 365 Interest Form to connect with a PCS staff member and organize your clean-up today!

Plan Your Menu Wisely
• Use local and seasonal produce to reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation.
• Prepare proper portions to minimize food waste.

Choose Eco-Friendly Entrees
• Opt for meat from a local farm that practices sustainable farming. Look for organic or free-range options.

Set a Plan for Waste Reduction
• Set up a compost bin for food scraps and leftovers. This reduces landfill waste and enriches your garden soil.
• Plan how to use leftovers creatively. Share with guests or turn them into new meals.

Utilize Sustainable Decor
• Use natural seasonal items like pumpkins, gourds, seasonal dried fruits, pinecones, or autumn leaves for decoration. After the holiday, compost them or use them in your garden.
• Avoid single-use decorations and opt for items you can use year after year.

Eco-Conscious Tableware
• Use real plates, utensils, and cloth napkins instead of disposable options.
• If disposables are necessary, look for compostable or biodegradable options.

Transportation Choices
• Share rides with family and friends to reduce emissions. Consider public transportation if available.
• If travel isn’t feasible, hosting a virtual gathering is an option!

Support Local Businesses
• Purchase items from local farmers’ markets or food co-ops to support local economies 

By incorporating these practices, you can enjoy a festive holiday season while minimizing your environmental impact. It’s a great way to show gratitude for the planet while sharing the holiday spirit!

We can’t always neatly categorize every single piece of marine debris that volunteers remove, but this shows some of the most common finds in our Miscellaneous category!

Clean Your Streams is a watershed cleanup initiative where volunteers collect trash and document their findings. It stands as Ohio’s largest cleanup event, contributing valuable marine debris data to the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) database. Volunteers make a significant impact across various watersheds in our region, including the Ottawa River, Swan Creek, Maumee River, and the tributaries of Maumee Bay. Over the course of 28 years, more than 16,880 volunteers have helped remove around 407,775 pounds of marine debris.

This year, as in previous years, the most commonly collected items from Northwest Ohio’s waterways were #1 plastic bottles, #2 food wrappers, and #3 cigarette butts. Among the more unusual finds were a message in a vintage 7 Up bottle from over 50 years ago, a 30-pound tangle of fishing line and lures, and more than 600 golf balls from the former golf course in Bowling Green.

Total Impact of Remote and In-Person Kickoffs

• Volunteers: 649
• Sites cleaned: 49
• Pounds of marine debris removed: 10,175
• River miles: 21

Be sure to check out our complete CYS 28 Fact Sheet and infographic for additional photos and insights!

One last THANK YOU to those who helped sponsor our event:

• Greater Toledo Community Foundation
• Sisters of St. Francis
• Lucas County Storm Water Utility
• Cenovus Energy
• OI
• The University of Toledo
• City of Toledo
• Bass Pro Shops
• Cabela’s
• City of Oregon
• OmniSource
• The Andersons, Inc.
• NSG Group
• Jones & Henry Engineers
• Arcadis
• Tetra Tech
• Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.
• Verdantas
• First Energy
• First Solar
• Oak Openings Region Conservancy
• Monroe St. United Methodist Church
• City of Perrysburg
• Metroparks Toledo
• The Mannik & Smith Group, Inc.
• The Patterson Family

And all of our in-kind donors!

This year we were able to clean out 10,000+ pounds of trash from the waterways with help from almost 600 volunteers.

Clean Your Streams is a watershed cleanup initiative where volunteers gather trash and document citizen science data on the items they find. It’s Ohio’s largest cleanup effort and helps contribute marine debris data to the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) database.

Stay tuned for more data breakdowns and results to come!

When the trees lose their leaves, the leaf debris ends up entering storm drains. Not only do the leaves clog storm drains causing flooding, but if not properly collected, the decomposing leaf debris can result in an excess of nutrients entering the waterways from the storm drains which promotes an increase of algal blooms and negatively impacts the water quality which directly affects humans and wildlife. Storm drains connect directly to the waterways, whatever enters the storm drain eventually reaches the rivers and streams which in turn inevitably leads to Lake Erie. Keeping leaves off of the street will help to decrease the number of leaves that enter the storm drains which will help combat water quality issues.

Some things you can do to help keep leaves out of the storm drain systems:

• Rake your leaves and look into your local municipalities leaf collection protocols
• Mow your leaves to create your own fertilizer for your lawns or gardens
• Look into composting leaves and grass clippings!
• Looking after your local storm drains by cleaning them up and partnering with us to spread the message! Check out this page to learn how you can work with us to help advocate for storm drain awareness by participating in our Storm Drain Marking volunteer opportunity.