CHRIS RUVO
The Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy and some 1,160 volunteers teamed up recently for a bit of environmental do-gooding that puts a truly impressive scale into the term “spring cleaning.”
On April 6, the nonprofit organization and community volunteers participated in a far-reaching cleanup of 87 sites along the 362-square-mile Perkiomen Creek Watershed, which runs through 55 municipalities in the counties of Bucks, Berks, Lehigh and Montgomery.
In Bucks, cleanup teams worked at sites in Quakertown, Perkasie and Telford, removing trash, recyclables, tires, scrap metal and other debris.
All told, the nonprofit and its dedicated volunteers removed 3,620 pounds of scrap metal, 980 bags of trash, 77 bags of recyclables and 130 tires from the 87 sites throughout the watershed, said Jessie Kemper, conservation coordinator at the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy.
The conservancy holds the spring cleanup every year on the first Saturday in April.
“Trash can be harmful for water quality and wildlife,” Kemper said. “Removing it helps to preserve and protect our local environment. Having an annual stream cleanup ensures that our natural areas are safe for wildlife and humans alike to enjoy.”
Founded in 1964, the Schwenksville-based Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to conserve and protect the natural resources of the Perkiomen Creek Watershed.
The organization’s efforts include environmental education and conservation programs. For instance, guided workshops, walks and presentations for children and adults cover a broad range of environmental/conservation topics and provide opportunities to explore locations within the watershed.
“Conservation projects range from simple tree planting projects to more intense invasive plant removals and stream bank reconstructions,” the organization says. “Addressing the impacts of stormwater is also a large part of the conservation program.”
Learn more
perkiomenwatershed.org.
