Sign up to Get the Lead Out and help make our shores safer for wildlife and more welcoming for recreation.

GLO is our marine debris removal program targeting tangled line, lead sinkers, lures, and other fishing trash that could harm wildlife in the Maumee River. Weather and water-levels permitting, join us for one of these family-friendly clean-ups.

Sunday August 6, 2:30pm-4:30pm
Clean Your Streams 365 – Middlegrounds Metropark
Help keep the Maumee River clean, clear, and safe in this marine debris clean-up. Learn more and register: https://bit.ly/PCSCleanupSignup

Thursday, August 24, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Get the Lead Out – Blue Grass Island
Remove fishing debris including lead sinkers, broken line, and lures, from the Maumee River. Learn more and register: https://bit.ly/PCSCleanupSignup

Sunday, August 27, 2:30pm-4:30pm
Get the Lead Out – Maumee Towpath
Remove fishing debris including lead sinkers, broken line, and lures, from the Maumee River. Learn more and register: https://bit.ly/PCSCleanupSignup 

Fishing line collected by volunteers during GLO is cleaned and recycled as much as possible.

Keep in mind that GLO is water-level dependent, since fishing line is often tangled in exposed roots and rocks, so we may need to move locations or cancel a session if an area is inaccessible due to high water. We’ve already relocated a couple programs this season due to high water on the Maumee. The best reason to register ahead of time is that we’ll be sure to send you an email 24-hours advanced warning if one of our programs needs to be relocated or cancelled. We’ll also post an update on our social media.

This month, we’re highlighting how marine debris travels through stormwater, creeks, and ditches, and how we can all help stem the tide. After all, since it’s a human-caused problem, that means the solutions are human-powered.

Marine debris, or waterway trash, is an ongoing issue locally and around the world. One study from the University of Rochester calculated that 22 million pounds of plastic debris potentially enter the Great Lakes every year.

At any size, from tiny plastic pellets to illegally dumped cars, marine debris poses a threat to the health of humans and wildlife. Microplastic pieces are often ingested by fish and birds. When this happens, plastic can accumulate in their stomachs, causing significant problems and potentially death. Entanglement in plastic debris is another marine debris-related wildlife mortality cause. Fishing nets, fishing lines, synthetic ropes, and plastic packaging can all act as traps for unwary aquatic life.

Like other pollutants, marine debris can hitch a ride through storm drains, ditches, and creeks. Trash travels! From tributary waterways, marine debris enters larger waterways like Swan Creek, the Ottawa River and the Maumee River. While many groups are working hard to educate and prevent marine debris, the process begins with you. There are everyday step you can take to reduce your odds of contributing to marine debris.

Check out Lake Erie Starts Here’s marine debris page for more on marine debris’ causes and its human-powered solutions!

Sponsoring Clean Your Streams allows local businesses, government agencies, and nonprofits to demonstrate commitment and leadership towards clean, clear, and safe water. Learn more about CYS sponsorship recognition and benefits.

Sponsorship allows Partners for Clean Streams to continue our ongoing programs, as well as to prepare for growth. Sponsorship supports Clean Your Streams planning and execution: funding staffing and planning meetings, providing clean-up supplies from trash bags to grabbers, and funding promotion and education through mailings and social media. Sponsorship also supports Clean Your Streams Day volunteer appreciation and education. PCS provides an appreciation picnic for volunteers, and allows our staff time to distribute educational materials on topics like storm water pollution, the impacts of marine debris, and tips for using water sustainably in everyday life.

Depending on sponsorship level, Clean Your Streams sponsors may receive:

• Logo recognition on all program advertising (100s of posters, flyers, and digital materials) and appreciation material, including more than 500 Clean Your Streams t-shirts proudly worn by volunteers throughout the community year-round, as well as printed logo recognition on PCS posters and banners.
• Logo recognition on PCS’s homepage and program-specific website and growing Facebook and Twitter following.
• Logo recognition at the annual meeting and in PCS’s award-winning annual report.

For more information on sponsorship, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call our office at 419-874-0727.

Thank you to this year’s current 27th Annual Clean Your Streams sponsors. We will continue to update our sponsorship recognition page throughout August and September.