Here is an opportunity that is easy to get started and will make a great difference in your community to help preserve the waterways we all love to enjoy. This story takes place in Virginia Beach Virginia but other states and cities have their own programs as well. This program is called The Adopt A Stream Program.
For a longtime I have always wanted to start something that would be beneficial to the environment and improve the way we see the waters I like to fish. After joining the Tidewater Kayak Anglers Association I found an opportunity to start a cleanup after seeing tons of trash in areas that looked like were getting ignored.
Myself and others I'm sure have always been taught to leave an area better than you found it but that wasn't what I was happening. I did a little searching on the internet I quickly found the answers I was looking for from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation Adopt A Stream Program. With a quick phone call with Sheila Mary Barnett the Environmental Educator with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. She was able to send me the information I needed and answer any questions I had to help me on my way to get this program started with my club. Inside the packet was all the guidelines and step by step things to look for when setting up your own cleanup. This was easy and it was a simple application for an area that I faxed in and was quickly approved for. Another great bonus I found with this program was that they also send you supplies like bags, gloves and orange vest to help you with your cleanup. To get rid of the trash we collected I made arrangements with the Virginia Aquarium who also takes care of a section of the same waterway though the City of Virginia Beach Adopt a Stream Program. And they have already asked for our joint combined help in future cleanups.
Things were now on a rolling pace I set a date and went to request volunteers from the club. Our first date was completely rained out with hi winds and thunderstorms that wouldn't have made for a great time on the water so we moved to the 19th of October and has still wet but better conditions.
First to arrive, my sons and I quickly set up with the supplies and sign up sheet for the cleanup to hand out as volunteers started to arrive. Still with the rain I was wondering if anyone would show but soon we ended up with a total of 11 people to assist with the cleanup efforts. One set of Volunteers Anthony and Shan from Inkblot tees donated a batch of T shirts to the club to give out for free to the people helping. Set up for after the event the club even pitched in to buy pizzas for all the help. We were on our way to make a difference for our waterway.
Every one now out cleaning trash.
Everyone quickly was able to get to areas that needed great attention. We found trash everywhere.
From the shore to on land we found trash everywhere.
This is a great opportunity to get you kids involved in the environment and teach them good morals.
I had my boat all loaded down and back to the boat ramp we went.
As people showed back up we found we had collected 21 bags of trash a chair and other stuff that was now removed from our waterways.
This ended up being a very successful event and we even got to the local news. http://www.wavy.com/news/local/va-beach/volunteers-help-remove-trash-from-water
Now with all this cleanup done for now lessons learned would be to have more bags, we ran out. This was a 2 hour event and everyone there put forth the effort and it was much needed. We made a difference out there and as we hit the boat ramp with all the trash it felt good to be greeted with thanks from the onlookers from shore.
This is an easy program to get into and anyone can do it. From a small family to a club like the TKAA anyone can make your waterway in your community better. Ask yourself, what can you do in your area to make it better. See ya on the water.
