1 May 2024
DULUTH — Volunteers are needed to fan out along five streams Saturday to help clean up trash during the annual rite of spring called Clean Yer Creek.
This year, the effort will include Keene, Miller, Merritt, Amity and Chester creeks and the Lester River.
Organizers hope to remove large amounts of debris and trash, including illegal dumping, from along the creeks, preventing it from ending up in the Duluth watersheds, the St. Louis River and Lake Superior.
This is the 16th annual event, started by Greg Benson, founder of Loll Designs, in 2008, the company’s first year of operation. This year, Loll Designs, Involta, the Chester Bowl Improvement Club, Wild State Cider and Bent Paddle Brewing are teaming up with other local volunteers to conduct its annual creek cleanup.
Over the last 15 years, thousands of volunteers have participated, over 4,000 trees have been planted and more than 25,000 pounds (12.5 tons) of trash have been collected.
“The amount of trash that is removed from our city creeks each year is always a shock to the system and a reminder of why we continue to do this,” said Julia Wisehart, an organizer of this year’s event. “The satisfaction of seeing our community members gather together and leave our Duluth hillside and watershed a cleaner and safer place always brings me joy.”
The cleanup is set from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with an afterparty from 2-4 p.m. at Bent Paddle Brewing. Participants can find out more and register for the event at bit.ly/4bji1Br.
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