Stream Clean Up
Partners in Protecting Sterling’s Environment
Sterling Foundation is proud to partner with Project Stream Clean, an initiative of the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay Network.
Every spring, tens of thousands of volunteers come together to pick up trash from local streams, creeks, rivers, parks, and neighborhoods as part of Project Clean Stream — the largest cleanup event in the Chesapeake Bay region! Cleanups take place across the entire Chesapeake watershed, in all six Bay states and DC.
Through Project Clean Stream, the Network offers hands-on opportunities for other environmental organizations, local businesses and governments, community groups, houses of worship, schools and universities, and residents to take action to make a true impact and nurture a lasting personal stewardship and commitment to the environment, clean water, and Chesapeake Bay watershed restoration.
Through our Project Clean Stream cleanups, volunteers have the opportunity to dig, plant, pick-up trash, and discover how their everyday decisions affect the overall health of their local waterways, and the Bay.
The Network coordinates local site cleanups, trains site captains, and provides cleanup supplies such as trash bags and gloves.
Everyone participating must complete and sign a waiver
Where do I register online?​
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Volunteers should sign up through the Chesapeake Network at:
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www.chesapeakenetwork.org/cleanup/sterling-project-stream-cleanup
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Everyone participating must complete and sign a waiver
The Sterling Foundation * Volunteer Waiver
Please note that registering online is by no means a commitment from you to participate. If you should happen to be busy on the day of the clean up, that’s okay!
Why should I register online?
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In short, registering online will save you time at the sign-in table. Later, it will save us time trying to decipher handwritten names and emails to send you a cleanup report. Besides providing the organizers a sense of the interest in the event, if weather becomes an issue, you will be alerted via email with updates.
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For further questions contact our stream captain at
stream@sterlingfoundation.org
FAQs
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When Can I Come?
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Check in at 8:00am.
If you aren’t able to make it then, look for our team at the location and you can join them anytime!
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What Should I Bring?
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Wear rubber boots, or closed-toed shoes you can get wet.
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Clothes you can get dirty and protect from poison ivy – lightweight long pants and long sleeves are highly recommended.
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Be sure to bring work gloves as well!
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Sunblock and bug spray.
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Bring a reusable water bottle or a hydration backpack and plan to re-fill throughout the day.
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Read up on what poison ivy looks like: https://www.sterlingfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/poison-ivy-1.pdf
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why are cleanup events so important? Because not only is litter disgusting to look at, litter pollutes the planet where we all live and harms innocent wildlife. Plastic is especially harmful to every living creature since it photo-degrades over time, resulting in microscopic plastic particles that basically pollute our environment with toxins forever. When litter reaches the oceans, it gets stuck in giant swirling gyres, contaminating the oceans, the sea life that eats it or gets tangled in it, and the greater food chain (including us humans). Litter cleanup events help to rid the planet from these harmful products, and cleanup events where recycling is a priority (like the CTB), the litter is converted to useful products, saving natural resources and energy.
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When can I come? Check in as 8:45am. If you aren’t able to make it then, look for our team on the Boulevard and you can join them anytime!
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What should I bring? Wear rubber boots, or closed-toed shoes you can get wet. Clothes you can get dirty – lightweight long pants and long sleeves are recommended. Read up on what poison ivy looks like. Sunblock and bug spray. Make sure you bring a water bottle! Or, if you prefer, bring a hydration backpack and plan to re-fill throughout the day. Be sure to bring work gloves as well!
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Can the whole family help? Yes, kids can clean up. Actually, you’re our best volunteers! Each child 10 and under must have an adult to supervise them at all times. Groups of children between 10-18 years old should have an adult group supervisor to sign the waiver for them, with an adult-child ratio as approved by their school, youth group, or organization. Kids 16-18 can attend with a signed adult contact waiver and should ask at the registration table to complete that paperwork then be assigned to an adult supervisor if they wish to participate.
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Can those with mobility issues help? We will try our best to accomodate all needs. The Boulevard is long, and has lots of opportunities to fit various mobility needs.
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Is there a restroom? No, but there are plenty of local businesses along the way that have restrooms available!
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Can I keep someting I find? As long as you’re not grabbing something from private property, if you find something that can be reused or repurposed, then feel free to take it home. Reusing is better than Recycling or tossing away.
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When is the rain date used? Since we know our volunteers prefer to plan ahead and fit the cleanup into their busy schedules, we really don’t want to postpone the cleanup just because the weather is less than perfect. So unless severe weather is in the vicinity (hail, snow, thunderstorms, tornados, hurricanes, SNOW, etc.), we’ll hold the event as scheduled. A little bit of drizzle or cold temperatures won’t spoil our mission, right? You just need to plan ahead and dress for the conditions.
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Does this count towards community service time? Yes! Get your form and any sign-in and sign-out completed at the registration table on the day. We are a registered local non-profit and your efforts will benefit our environment and community.