On September 13th, two local Rotary clubs, the Rotary Club of Maumee and the Rotary Club of Perrysburg, came together for a joint cleanup and service project along the Maumee River.
A total of 24 volunteers participated in the cleanup, working diligently to remove 417 pounds of marine debris across a 0.9-mile stretch of riverfront. Their efforts not only beautified the area but also played a vital role in the PCS mission of supporting local water quality and protecting wildlife habitats.
This collaboration reflects the Rotary mission of “Service Above Self,” and we are proud to recognize everyone who contributed their time and energy.
Thank you to all the club members and volunteers who helped make this project a success. Your dedication is helping to ensure clean, clear, and safe water for our community.
Looking for a fun, eco-friendly way to celebrate the season? Try making leaf-printed tote bags for a simple fall craft that turns nature into art while promoting sustainability.
Supplies
- Fallen leaves in different shapes and sizes
- Reusable cotton tote bag (try to find one from a local thrift or resale shop!)
- Fabric paint (non-toxic, water-based is best)
- Paintbrush or sponge
- Old newspaper or cardboard (to protect surfaces)
How To:
- Place cardboard inside the tote bag to keep paint from bleeding through.
- Lightly paint one side of a leaf using a brush or sponge.
- Press the leaf, paint-side down, onto the tote and gently press to transfer the pattern.
- Carefully lift the leaf and let the print dry. Repeat with different colors and shapes.
- Once dry, heat-set the design by ironing (follow your paint instructions).
Use it at the store, for work, or keep it handy for trick-or-treating this year! This craft is great for all ages and makes a thoughtful, low-waste gift. Plus, it’s a beautiful way to bring the outdoors in and appreciate the natural beauty of autumn.
Inspiration from https://www.skiptomylou.org/leaf-prints/
As the vibrant colors of autumn arrive and trees begin to shed their leaves, many homeowners find themselves raking, blowing, or mulching the seasonal debris. But beyond just being a yard maintenance task, managing fallen leaves plays a critical role in protecting our local waterways and stormwater systems. Here’s what you need to know and how you can help.
When leaves accumulate in the street or along storm drains, they don’t just disappear. Rainwater carries this organic material into storm drains, which often flow directly into local creeks, rivers, and lakes without any treatment. While leaves are natural, the nutrients they release as they decompose—especially phosphorus—can cause real problems in aquatic environments.
Storm drains are designed to handle stormwater runoff, not yard waste. When leaves, twigs, and grass clippings enter these drains, they can:
- Clog pipes and grates, leading to localized flooding during heavy rains.
- Release nutrients into water bodies, promoting algal blooms that reduce oxygen levels and harm aquatic life.
- Contribute to the formation of muck and sediment, which degrades water quality and can be costly to remove.
When phosphorus from leaf litter washes into waterways, it acts like fertilizer and can cause algae to grow rapidly. These algae blooms can, block sunlight from reaching underwater plants, deplete oxygen as they decompose, and create health risks for pets and people. Anything that enters these drains goes directly into our water resources untreated and eventually ends up in Lake Erie.
How You Can Help This Fall
Protecting water quality starts in your own yard and neighborhood. Here are some easy, effective steps to take:
- Get involved in our Storm Drain Marking program!
PCS offers a unique volunteer opportunity with our Storm Drain Marking program where volunteers can help to keep drains clear. Learn more about the program here. - Rake leaves away from curbs, gutters, and storm drains.
Keep leaf piles well away from drains if placing piles on the street for collection. - Compost or mulch your leaves.
Composting turns leaves into rich soil, while mulching with a mower returns nutrients to your lawn. - Use yard waste collection services.
Bag leaves or place them in designated bins according to your local schedule. - Talk to your neighbors.
Share the importance of proper leaf management for the health of your local water bodies.
Taking a few minutes to manage leaf debris responsibly helps prevent pollution, protects fish and wildlife, and keeps our stormwater systems working efficiently. It’s a simple seasonal habit that supports clean, clear, and safe waters for everyone!
Last Saturday, September 27th, we had our 29th annual Clean Your Streams Day. While we are busy crunching the numbers from the day, we wanted to say thank you to everyone who showed up, volunteered, spread the word, and made it such a success. We would not be able to do what we do without your help and support!
The morning of cleanups throughout the greater Toledo area was amazing and so motivating to see so many hands on deck. From the strange finds (a coconut?!) to the not-so-surprising plastic pieces, your dedication on this day will make a lasting impact in our community.
We were so thrilled to be able to host our Volunteer Appreciation Picnic again as our way of saying “THANK YOU!” to everyone who took time out of their busy lives to join forces for clean, clear, and safe water. If you’ve been to the picnic for past CYS days, you might have noticed some new stuff this year.
For the first time ever, PCS was proud to partner with Toledo Mindfulness Institute (TMI) to host a chair yoga session for all those that joined us at the picnic. A special thank you to Anabelle Wojtkowiak for leading this experience for us all, for helping us unwind after a busy morning, and for reminding us to take care of ourselves and our planet. If you enjoyed this yoga session, you can learn more about TMI at their open house event on October 3rd! Current in studio offerings are Monday through Saturday from 6:00am to 7:00pm.
We also made some changes to expand our outreach and share this experience with local partners to connect with the community. This year, we were lucky to have 21 partnering organizations come out for the day to talk to our volunteers about the amazing work being done in our community and how people can get involved! So many fun and interactive activities were made possible by these organizations to further enhance the picnic experience and add a broader sense of community. Thank you to everyone that made this a special experience for all our volunteers and picnic attendees!
A big CONGRATS to our kayak raffle winner, Joan King!! This year, in addition to the fabulous raffle baskets available for our volunteers to win after completing the CYS survey, we had a “big ticket” item for purchase this year in the form of a BRAND NEW kayak! We sold over 100 tickets for the kayak raffle. Thank you to everyone that entered!
One last THANK YOU to those who helped sponsor our event:
Grant Funder
Grant Funder
Grant Funder
Grant Funder
Grant Funder
Community Partner
CYS Affiliate
CYS Affiliate
CYS Affiliate
CYS Affiliate
CYS Underwriter
CYS Underwriter
CYS Underwriter
CYS Contributor
CYS Contributor
CYS Contributor
CYS Contributor
CYS Contributor
And to all the in-kind donors that helped make it possible to give some great thank you gifts to our volunteers:
- Adventus Climbling
- Appliance Center
- Bearded Bird Fitness and Nutrition
- Bennett Enterprises
- BG Curling Club
- BGSU Athletics
- Black Swamp Conservancy
- Brew House Coffee
- Cinemark
- Clara J’s Tea Room
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Costco
- Dave’s Running Shop
- Drive Creative
- Earnest Brew Works
- Forest View Lanes
- Gathering Volumes
- Glass City Metropark
- Handcrafted by Herb
- Imagination Station
- Kroger
- Marco’s Pizza
- National Museum of the Great Lakes
- Nothing Bundt Cakes
- Ohio Lake Erie Commission
- Peppermint Narwhal
- Quenched & Tempered Brewing Co.
- Rooster’s
- Sky Zone Trampoline Park
- Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts
- Toledo Mindfulness Institute
- Toledo Zoo & Aquarium
- UT Athletics Department
- UT Ritter Planetarium and Brooks Observatory
This year, with the support of over 800 dedicated volunteers, we removed an impressive amount of trash from local waterways.
Clean Your Streams is a watershed cleanup effort that brings volunteers together to collect litter and record citizen science data on what they find. As Northwest Ohio’s largest cleanup initiative, it also contributes valuable marine debris data to the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) database.
Stay tuned, more results and data insights are on the way!
Over a year in the making, the 2025 AOC Cross-Agency Partnership Summit is just a few weeks away now. As the facilitating organization for the Maumee AOC Advisory Committee, PCS has taken a special role to help coordinate the Summit being held in Toledo, Ohio.
This important meeting, hosted by the Ohio Lake Erie Commission, in partnership with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, will take place from September 16-18, 2025. The multi-day meeting will bring together federal, state, and local AOC stakeholders to strengthen partnerships, find solutions, share lessons learned, and to engage in meaningful conversations that will progress work in Great Lakes AOCs.
Although online registration is now closed, on-site registration will be available with payment accepted at the event. Please note that same-day registrants are not guaranteed meals included in the registration fee (Appetizers on Tuesday night, breakfast and lunch on Wednesday, and breakfast on Thursday). The registration fee is $98. Summit attendees may also purchase a separate ticket for the optional Wednesday Evening Dinner for $20.
More information about this exciting time in our area can be found on the 2025 ACAPS website.
CYS 365
Maumee River Paddle Cleanup
- Where: Meet at Maumee Tackle Fishing Outfitters – 104 W Wayne St, Maumee, OH 43537
- When:Saturday, September 20th 8:45am – 12:00pm
- Details: Join Partners for Clean Streams and H2Ohio Staff Members for a Maumee River Paddle Cleanup! To kickoff Remote Week for CYS 29, we’ll be launching kayaks out into the river and cleaning up as we paddle along. Kayaks, paddles, and life vests will be provided. Participants are welcome to bring their own kayaks. NOTE: This program is for ages 10+, novice paddlers and youth welcome!
We’ll meet at Maumee Tackle Fishing Outfitters to give a brief orientation about the paddle cleanup program at 8:45am. From there groups will depart to one of the following launch locations.
Final routes will depend on water levels; all options begin at 9:00 AM: - Waterworks Park to Orleans Park – 6.7 miles (~3 hours)
- Waterworks Park to Sidecut Metropark – 4.3 miles (~2 hours)
- Sidecut Metropark to Orleans Park – 2.7 miles (~1.5 hours)
As a reminder if you have signed up a group of people for this paddle event that all participants are required to sign a Clean Your Streams liability form. Minors must have the signature of a parent or guardian. If you’re registering a group, please send all participants this form. You’ll also find the link in your registration confirmation email. Please send the completed and signed copy of this form from your group members to [email protected].
Macros Sampling
Macroinvertebrate Sampling with Metroparks Toledo
- Where: Wildwood Preserve Metropark – 5100 Central Ave, Toledo, OH, 43615
- When: Wednesday, Wednesday, September 10th, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
- Details: Assist staff in the use of biological monitoring to determine the water quality of streams and rivers in and near Metroparks. Those interested in signing up can contact Meredith Busic ([email protected]).Volunteers will meet PCS and Metroparks staff at the Providence Dam parking lot for this shoreline and in-streams cleanup.
September is often associated with Fashion Weeks in New York, London, Paris and Milan, so this campaign encourages consumers to shop second-hand rather than the latest trends for the approaching Autumn/Winter season.
Here are a few ways you can get involved this month:
Shop Second Hand
Explore vintage boutiques, local thrift stores, and online platforms if you’re in the market for a new look.
Borrow or Swap
Consider swapping with friends or family for items you need short term.
Donate
Have some pieces hanging up in the closet that you haven’t worn in years? Donate unwanted clothing to a local charity shop.
Sell, trade and share online
You can post pictures of your second-hand finds or things you want to let go using #SecondHandSeptember.
Take the Pledge!
For the month of September, make the commitment to avoiding buying new clothes, shoes, or accessories.
By participating in Second Hand September, not only will you find some new-to-you items to add to your collection, but you are also helping to reduce fashion-related pollution and resource consumption.
As we get closer to Saturday, September 27th, here’s a checklist of everything you need to know to be ready for the big day!
Are you signed up for your kickoff or for the Remote clean-on-your-own week?
Yes!
Amazing! We are so excited!
Not yet. How do I sign up?
You can see all the kickoff options and sign up here!
Have you and/or everyone in your group filled out the Liability Waiver and returned a copy to [email protected]?
Yes
Keep up the good work!
No, how do I get the form?
Download the CYS Liability form. If you are registering a group, make sure everyone in your group fills out a form. Return the completed form(s) to [email protected].
Are you going to make an extra impact for this year’s event and be a Site Captain?
Yes, and I have already signed up for the training!
Wow, you know your CYS stuff!
Yes, but I haven’t signed up for training yet.
All good! There are two options for attending a Site Captain Training, but you only need to attend one:
Monday, Sept. 22nd 7:00pm – 8:00pm: Virtual Training via Microsoft Team. Sign up here!
Tuesday, Sept 23rd 6:30pm – 7:30pm: In-person training at the Side Cut Metropark Lamb Center (1025 W River Rd, Maumee, OH 43537). Sign up here!
Not this year, but I will keep it in mind for next year.
No worries, we appreciate all our volunteers no matter what!
Do you want to be involved in CYS day, but can’t make it to one of the cleanups on the 27th?
Yes, what can I do?
We still need helping hands for the Volunteer Appreciation Picnic! Volunteers will assist PCS with table set-up, decorations, t-shirt distribution, cleanup supply and data card collection, food service, directing the raffle process, and other duties as assigned. We have two different time slots for volunteers to choose: 11:15am – 12:45pm OR 12:45pm – 2:15pm. Sign up here!
No, thanks!
All good, we hope you’ll be able to join next year!
Have you entered your chance to win the BRAND-NEW Pelican Catch Classic 100 Fishing Kayak (retail $600)?!
Yep, I’ve bought my raffle tickets!
Nice, good luck!
Not yet, where do I get tickets?
Raffle tickets can be purchased online for $10 here.
Are you attending the Volunteer Appreciation Picnic after the cleanups?
Yes, I can’t wait!
Great, we’ll see you at the Lucas County Fairgrounds Arts & Crafts Building (the big green barn, 1406 Key St, Maumee, OH 43537) at 12:00pm for free food, t-shirts, local partner outreach tables, raffles & more!
No, I won’t be able to make it. 
You will be missed!
We are looking forward to another great year, and it is all possible because of volunteers like you! If you have any questions or need support in preparation for CYS day, fill out our Contact Us form and we will make sure to help.
We can’t wait to see you again (and hopefully some new faces!) for CYS 29
]]>We are bringing you some fun and exciting opportunities to get involved this month!
Sign-up for our upcoming programs, including Get the Lead Out and Clean Your Streams 365. Volunteer opportunities are on our website homepage calendar and listed below.
CYS 365
CANCELLED – Paddle Cleanup with DNAP
- Where: Swan Creek, launching canoes from Middlegrounds Metropark – 111 Ottawa St, Toledo, OH 43604
- When: Thursday, August 14th 10:00am – 1:00pm
- Details: Join Partners for Clean Streams and Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Natural Areas & Preserves for an in-stream cleanups via canoes. Bring a water bottle, sun protection, and your upper body strength & we’ll cover the rest!
Paddle Cleanup with Metroparks Toledo
- Where: Glass City Metropark – 1505 Front St, Toledo, OH 43605
- When: Thursday, August 28th, 5:30pm – 8:30pm
- Details: Join Partners for Clean Streams and Metroparks Toledo for a paddle cleanup at Glass City Metropark! Bring a water bottle, sun protection, and your upper body strength & we’ll cover the rest!
GLO
Get the Lead Out at Providence Metropark Dam
- Where: Providence Metropark – 13827 Towpath Trail, Grand Rapids, OH 43522
- When: Wednesday, Wednesday, August 20th, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
- Details: Join us to Get the Lead Out! In partnership with Metroparks Toledo, help remove debris including fishing line, lures, and more from the shoreline of the Maumee River. Volunteers will be cleaning up the shoreline and waters at Providence Dam. We will be wading into the river to remove trash, please dress appropriately. (gloves, grabbers, trash bags, etc.)
- Volunteers will meet PCS and Metroparks staff at the Providence Dam parking lot for this shoreline and in-streams cleanup.
The CYS 29 Village (so far!)
It truly takes a village to sustain Clean Your Streams for 29 years, and we’re excited to shine a spotlight on the sponsors who make our programs possible. We also want to share ways you can support our mission throughout the year.
Partners for Clean Streams would like to express our gratitude for these organizations’ contributions to the 29th Annual Clean Your Streams Day.
Community Partners
- Toledo Rotary and the Greater Toledo Community Foundation
- Ohio EPA
- Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the H2Ohio Program
- Lucas County Storm Water Utility
CYS Affiliates
CYS Underwriters
CYS Contributors
- Toledo Mindfulness Institute
- OmniSource
- Verdantas
- Civil and Environmental Consultants, Inc.
- NSG Glass North America
CYS Supporters
Additionally, thank you to those that have made in-kind donations to make an even bigger impact on our community and volunteers!
- Appliance Center
- Bennett Enterprises
- BGSU Athletics
- Handcrafted by Herb
- Marco’s Pizza
- Quenched & Tempered Brewing Co.
- Toledo Mindfulness Institute
- Toledo Zoo
- UT Athletics
We’re so grateful for the continued support. Our heartfelt thanks go out to all these partners. Their ongoing commitment to our waterways is invaluable.
Every day, we’re supported by generous individuals who recognize the impact of our programs on both our waterways and the volunteers who help uplift their communities. You can contribute by making a donation online here or by becoming a PCS member! Consider supporting us with your everyday shopping by enrolling in the Kroger Community Rewards program, too. You can also help us protect local waterways by donating essential supplies through our Amazon Wishlist.
Make sure to be following our Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, and keeping up to date on our website for more information as we open registration for CYS 29 soon. In the meantime, don’t miss out on your chance to win brand-new 2024 Pelican Catch Classic 100 Angler Fishing Kayak! Tickets will be available online here and can be purchased up until 1:00pm EST on Saturday, September 27th.
