Cleanups

For the past 15-20 years, Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper has organized biannual (spring and fall) cleanups along various local waterways to remove litter and other accumulated debris. Scajaquada Creek has always been one of Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper’s largest cleanup sites. Continued attention to litter removal at the trash racks and along the banks of Scajaquada Creek from the trash rack in Delaware Park to the mouth is part of ongoing efforts by volunteer groups. Local citizens monitor the trash rack at Delaware Park and hold the City of Buffalo Department of Public Works accountable when need be. Over 1,300 volunteers joined Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper for the Spring 2010 Shoreline Cleanup at 37 sites around the Buffalo Niagara region. This was Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper’s biggest cleanup to date.

Our cleanups are apart of (and made possible by) the Great American Cleanup, a nation wide effort to Keep American Beautiful. Please visit their website for more information

The Spring Shoreline Sweep was on Saturday April 17th, from 9am – 12pm

A big THANK YOU goes out to everyone who participated in the spring Shoreline Sweep on April 17th! This cleanup event would not be possible without the dedication and support from our community. The cleanup was a success, removing litter yet leaving a lasting impact (even with the chilly weather). Some of the oddest things pulled out of our waterways were a motorcycle, a sofa bed, stop signs and even a old rusty shotgun barrel!  With the hard work from all the site captains, volunteers, staff and sponsors, we are one step closer to revitalizing our waterways!

A special thank you to Mark Kubiniec, Pres. of the Grant Amherst Business Association, for recruiting volunteers and being such a big help at the Scajaquada Creek site!

Data collected so far (results will continue to increase):

1300 volunteers

500 bags of trash collected

7045 lbs of trash collected

Most Picked Up: plastic bottles & fast food wrappers

Linear Feet Cleaned Up: 79910 ft

Mark your calendars for the fall Shoreline Sweep on September 18th!

ALL participants must have a signed waiver to participate! Waivers will be provided the day of the event at your cleanup site, but anyone under 18 must have a waiver signed by a parent. For a copy, Clean Up Waiver Form

Thank you to all the 2010 Spring Shoreline Sweep volunteers and sponsors! Your hard work made the cleanup a success!

Riverkeeper rallied over 1000 volunteers to help out in cleaning up 35 sites in Western New York, which was part of the nation wide clean up called The Great American Cleanup.

Take a look at the data collected here in Western New York from the fall, and compare it to the information gathered statewide:

WNY Fall Shoreline Sweep Data	NYS Collective Shoreline Sweep Data
Volunteers: almost 700 Trash collected: nearly 20,000 lbs. 1023+ Plastic Bags 1654+ Food Wrappers 2668+ Cigarette Butts 40+ Tires Many more non-biodegradable items were collected and removed from 22 cleanup sites in WNY. They contributed to the grand total in New York State, which helped comprise the data in the next column over…	Volunteers: 10,000 Trash collected: 134,530 lbs. 61,260 Cigarettes/ Cigarette Filters 38,183 Caps, Lids 29,987 Food Wrappers/Containers 25,309 Plastic bags 21,596 Plastic Beverage Bottles 17,999 Straws/Stirrers 17,508 Cups, Plates, Forks, Knives, etc 15,010 Glass Beverage Bottles 13,884 Beverage Cans 9,021 Paper Bags 6,389 Clothing, Shoes 5,740 Balloons

Our Cleanup Needs a Helping Hand!

We are looking for businesses to adopt sites!

We can offer great press and community awareness and support of your business, for more information contact Tricia at tfurnari@bnriverkeeper.org.

Thank You to our Spring Shoreline Sweep Sponsors!

Grant Amherst Business Association

Ecology & Environmental Inc.

Buffalo & Erie County Military & Naval Park, Buffalo Fire Dept. & the EM Cotter, Chris Burke, AXA Advisors, Fox Tire, Grand Lady Cruises, Harert Secrest & Emery, Home Depot, HSBC, Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, Labatt USA, New York Power Authority, Niagara Frontier American Legion Post 1041, Pearl St. Grill & Brewery, Sahlen’s, Tops, Try-It Distributing, WalMart, Wegman’s, Western New York Americorps