Volunteers on Saturday, April 6 removed trash at 600 sites throughout the Potomac watershed during the Alice Ferguson Foundation’s 2013 Potomac River Watershed Cleanup.
The Potomac Conservancy organized volunteer efforts at the River Center at Lock 8, Fletcher's Boathouse and Theodore Roosevelt Island. Approximately 200 volunteers at Potomac Conservancy’s three sites collected 3,000 pounds of trash, 700 pounds of recyclable items.
Saturday was the 25th anniversary of the Potomac River Watershed Cleanup.
Final numbers from all of the cleanup sites are still being tallied by the Alice Ferguson Foundation. In 2012, volunteers collected 263 tons of trash was collected, 1,566 tires, 185,300 recyclable bottles, 31, 450 plastic bags, and 37,600 cigarette butts.
The Alice Ferguson Foundation was established in 1954 with the mission to connect people to the natural world, sustainable agricultural practices and the cultural heritage of their local watershed through education, stewardship and advocacy.
See www.potomaccleanup.org or www.fergusonfoundation.org/
MONTGOMERY COUNTY continues to celebrate Earth Month with events throughout April. See www.MontgomeryServes.org/earth-day-2013.
Events include:
Saturdays, April 13 and 27
Montgomery Parks Annual Garlic Mustard Pull. Help remove one of the fastest spreading, non-native, invasive weeds. See www.WeedWarrior.org or call 301-495-2504.
Saturday, April 13.
Montgomery County Road Runners Club Rock Creek Trail Cleanup. 9 a.m. to noon. Cleanup Rock Creek Trail, the Matthew Henson Trail and feeder paths as well as dry feeder streams, roadways, playgrounds and the Lake Needwood area. For more information go to www.mcrrc.org or call 301-933-2919.
Saturday, April 20.
Montgomery Parks Cabin John Trail Workday. 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Improve the Cabin John Natural Surface Trail. Repair eroded tread surfaces, stabilize drainage issues, build new trails and bridges. See www.MontgomeryTrails.org or call 301-495-2504.
Anacostia Watershed Society Cleanup. 9 a.m. to noon. Take part at 20 different cleanup sites along the Anacostia Watershed. See www.anacostiaws.org/earthday2013 or call 301-699-6204.
Sunday, April 21
WSSC Invasive Weed Removal. 9 a.m. to noon. Get rid of kudzu and other weeds so the trees and wildlife can thrive. See www.wsscwater.com or call 301-206-8233.
For a guide to living a green life in Montgomery County year round, check outwww.MyGreenMontgomery.org.
— Ken Moore