October 2025 – Partners for Clean Streams

CYS 29 was a Success!

pcs_mary — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Last Saturday, September 27^th, 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

Community Partner

CYS Affiliate

CYS Underwriter

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!

Clear Drains, Clear Water!

pcs_mary — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Help Our Storm Drains Help YOU

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!

Promote Sustainability with a Fun Fall Craft!

pcs_mary — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 13:00:00 +0000

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/

Rotary Clubs Join Forces for Cleanup Effort

pcs_mary — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 13:00:00 +0000

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.