How can you help your local bodies of water?
Clean up trash
If you go outside after the snow melts, what do you see? Is there trash on your street? Spring is a great time to collect nonorganic materials and get it out of the water cycle. A cleanup can be as simple you picking up garbage while you take a walk—or you can scale up your impact and get your neighbors involved!
If you want to organize a group, big or small, check out our cleanup toolkit!
Clean up organic material
Did you know that leaves and organic debris from streets and sidewalks can flow through storm sewers and into lakes, rivers, and streams? Leaves and other material contain phosphorus, nitrogen, and soil that are significant pollutants. These nutrients contribute to the growth of excessive algae that rob the waters of needed oxygen.
Freshwater supports Adopt-a-Drain Minnesota, a program anyone can join to help keep our waterways clean.
Cleanup toolkit
Download a PDF of the 26-page toolkit with instructions for organizing and implementing a cleanup. Or download individual components of the toolkit:
What are community cleanups and why are they important?
A Q & A on community cleanups
Basic steps to conduct your community cleanup
Sample flier for a cleanup without residential pickup
Sample doorhanger
Freshwater wouldn’t be able to make a difference for water without the support of
individuals like you. Discover ways to get involved with Freshwater.