Did You know that Partners for Clean Streams is a charity partner for the Mercy Health Glass City Marathon? For the past five years, PCS has been the “Green Team,” which is responsible for recycling cardboard, glass, aluminum, plastic, heat sheets, Gu packs and more! We are their go-to partner for brainstorming ways to make the races more sustainable from the beginning to the end. Much of the “greening” happens before the race even begins – from packaging the t-shirts in bulk rather than being wrapped in plastic individually to vendors bringing more sustainable or recyclable products – we’re helping decrease the environmental impact. By the end of the long weekend, we’re making sure the course is cleaned of Gu packs that can be Terracycled® and people leave more knowledgeable about reducing waste. Please consider supporting us and make a donation to assist us in promoting healthy runners and rivers!

We are taking the opportunity this year to highlight some of the partners that help us achieve our goal of cleaner waters. Our first profile of 2020 belongs to Mr. Rick Bryan, an active environmental volunteer in the Toledo Area! In his own words below, Rick tells of his experiences as an active volunteer for several area organizations.

Rick Bryan: My interest in the outdoors began in Fremont, Ohio, where my friend Biz and I spent many hours wandering along the Sandusky River. It was a time of free range children when parents didn’t worry about structured activities for their kids.

I have had basically three careers; first working in a corporate office environment, then running my own wholesale greenhouse nursery, and finally once I retired, as a volunteer in natural resources and the environment.  My volunteer career has been the most rewarding by far.

My first really significant involvement with the biodiversity of this area came when Terry Seidel of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Denise Gehring of Metroparks Toledo approached me about growing native plants of the Oak Openings Region. This led to the Oak Openings Natives program which provided native plants to the public in many retail locations around the area.

I then became involved with the Green Ribbon Initiative, The Nature Conservancy, and Lucas Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD). I also have been a member of District 12 Natural Resource Assistance Council (NRAC) since it began in 2001. NRAC administers grant funds for the acquisition of natural areas in Ohio. I have also belonged to Oak Openings Region Conservancy (OORC) for many years. I joined the Stewardship Committee of the Black Swamp Conservancy (BSC) and also do annual monitoring of conservation easements for BSC. I also currently work on the prescribed fire crew for TNC and also enjoy conducting restoration assessments on various Oak Openings properties.

As a member of the board of Lucas SWCD, I have served on numerous committees and related organizations. One of those committees was the Environmental Council of TMACOG. This is when I became aware of the Maumee Remedial Action Plan (RAP) and Partners for Clean Streams. When Erika Buri of The Olander Park System asked OORC to take over as a kickoff coordinator for Clean your Streams Day, I knew this was a creditable organization with an important mission. We look forward to working with PCS and will try to identify cleanup areas having the most impact on our watershed.

I was honored two years ago to be inducted into the Ohio Soil and Water Hall of Fame. This is certainly something I could have never envisioned back in my corporate days. Life takes you down unexpected paths but I could not be happier with the path I am on.

It’s that time of year again, when we must watch out for slippery and icy conditions on our sidewalks, driveways, and roads. As much as we need to manage the ice for our own safety, we should also consider the impact of deicing treatments on our watershed. Scientists have determined that runoff from salted/treated areas is not healthy for aquatic animals and vegetation, or for our drinking water supplies. Fortunately, many municipalities are now stepping in to provide public guidance regarding tips and tricks for de-icing while reducing the negative effects on local waters.

The Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District has summarized best practices in an easy to remember acronym; S.A.L.T (Factsheet Here). See below for more information, and please put these practices to use this winter to help decrease negative environmental impacts associated with road and sidewalk de-icing (additional information and tips here; Penn State and MN PCA).

Stuff: Road salt (sodium chloride) only works above 15°F. For colder temperatures, use a small amount of sand for added traction, or switch to melting product designed to work at colder temperatures.

Amount: Spreading more salt does not improve deicing. One 12-ounce coffee cup full of salt is enough to cover about 10 standard sidewalk squares. There should be about 3 inches between salt granules; make sure to sweep up/remove excess salt.

Location: Salt only belongs on your sidewalk and driveway, and never on your lawn, flower beds, or base of a tree, and definitely not in a stream. One teaspoon of salt permanently pollutes 5 gallons of water.

Timing: Salt works best when applied before the snow falls or right after snow is removed from your sidewalk or driveway. Never apply salt when rain is in the forecast, as it will wash away into the storm drain and out into our waterways.