JUNE 2009 -
CENTRAL OHIO RIVER PRIDE MONTH!
Each spring, litter is a visible problem
in many communities, with our stream and river banks being
no exception. Much of the litter in our communities washes
into our waterway areas. Litter is not only an eyesore, it
can affect community pride, water quality, endanger
wildlife, encourage crime and promote mosquito growth by
providing a place for water to stagnate.
The Department of Public Utilities and partners will
kick off the ninth annual Central Ohio River Pride
event in June. This month-long event, formerly held in
May, was designed to promote awareness and appreciation
of our natural waterways through environmental stewardship
and recreation. Activities include stream-bank litter cleanups,
invasive plant removal, rain garden workshops and more. Volunteers are
invited to participate.
Volunteers are
needed for the following events in 2009:
|
2009 Date/Time |
Location |
Contact |
| June 6, 9:00
AM |
Griggs Reservoir (Arlington)
Litter Cleanup |
Public Utilities Watershed Management & Scioto Boat Club
Call 645-1721 or Email Lorraine Winters |
| June 6, 9:00 AM |
Ohio 4-H Center
Rain Garden Workshop |
Franklin Soil & Water Conservation District
Call 486-9613 Ext 125 or
Visit online at www.franklinswcd.org |
| June 13, 9:00 AM |
Adena Brook (Clintonville area)
Litter Cleanup & Invasive
Plant Removal |
Adena Brook Community
Call 263-8125 |
| June 20, 9:00 AM |
Olentangy River Litter Cleanup &
Invasive Plant Removal |
Friends of
the Lower Olentangy Watershed & the Central Ohio
Sierra Club
Call 267-3386 or Email FLOW |
| June 20, 9:00 AM |
Alum Creek (East side)
Litter Cleanup
& Canoe Float |
Friends of Alum Creek & Tributaries
Call 409-0511 or visit FACT online at:
www.friendsofalumcreek.org
|
Please check back or call 645-STREAM (7873) for updates
on the above cleanup events.
For year-round opportunities, contact your local
watershed group (see bulleted list below for contact info).
Want to plan your own litter cleanup? For planning
assistance and supplies, Columbus residents should contact:
Keep Columbus
Beautiful at 645-8027.
Volunteers display just some of the debris retrieved from the Olentangy
and Scioto Rivers confluence area.
OTHER WAYS TO GET INVOLVED:
Riverfest On Tour!
will kick off Friday, May 29 at 5:00 p.m. with special evening
activities at COSI and a presentation of Waterfire on the Scioto. Throughout the
month of June there will be water-themed activities across Central
Ohio including boating and fishing. Sponsored by the Mid-Ohio
Regional Planning Commission Greenways Program. For a complete schedule call
233-4124 or visit
www.riverfestcolumbus.org.
The storm drain marking program
is the perfect group or individual community service
project. Coordinate an event to coincide with River Pride or plan one anytime from April
through October (weather permitting). More information is available on the
We All Live Downstream
area of this web site or visit the
Storm Drain Marker Program page.
Volunteers are needed YEAR-ROUND!
Contact the following watershed groups for information and
other ways to participate:
Household Hazardous Waste
Participate in the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio’s (SWACO)
Household Hazardous Waste Collection program. Never
dump harmful chemicals into a storm drain, drainage ditch,
stream or river. For collection locations,
call SWACO at (614) 871-5100 or visit their web site at
www.swaco.org
Central Ohio
River Pride is coordinated by the City of Columbus
Department of Public Utilities Communications Office. For
more information, call 645-STREAM (7873) or
email us here. |
