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Did you know that the Great Lakes are the biggest freshwater source in the world? Lake Erie is the most productive for fishing of all the Great Lakes. Your support helps make our streams clean, clear and healthy so they can support this complex ecosystem. By donating to PCS, you help us reach our goals of restoring rivers that lead to Lake Erie beaches that promote fishable and swimmable conditions for generations.
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April 2024

30 Day Earth Month Challenge

Feature 30 Day Earth Month ChallengeHappy Earth Month! We invite you to take on a 30-Day challenge to make sustainable changes that positively impact our planet. Make sure to follow our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter where we’ll be posting our 30 Ways in 30 Days.

Who doesn’t love a little challenge? Whether you are up for a challenge on your own or want to turn it into a friendly competition with other environmentally passionate people, we’ve got something for you! This month we’ll be sharing 30 Ways in 30 Days for you to show the planet you care. The full challenge will be posted to our social media accounts, but we want to highlight some of the actions you can take to get involved this Earth Month.

  • Plant native wildflower seeds & get your garden started! With temperatures warming up and those April showers rolling in, now is the time to get your garden going! Shasta Daisy, Purple Coneflower and Black-Eyed Susan are some of our favorites!
  • Plan out meals to reduce food waste! Headed to the grocery store today? Make a list with what items you need and how much to avoid over-consumption and possible waste after your meals. Repurpose and eat your leftovers as much as possible.
  • Switch to shampoo & conditioner bars! Instead of buying the plastic bottles, make the switch to shampoo and conditioner bars for washing your hair. Lather up with water and use as you would with any other hair washing product. These bars usually tend to get you through more hair washing days than bottled products.
  • Volunteer at a stream clean-up! We have some great opportunities for you to get outside and promote clean, clear, and safe water in our area!

Upcoming Community Events

Education Tabling EventsWe’ve got some exciting events we will be attending throughout April to raise environmental awareness and continue our mission of clean, clear, and safe water. They are also listed on our calendar, and we hope to see you there!

There are 3 great events that we are looking forward to being at to celebrate Earth Month. PCS will have a table set up at each of these functions where our staff and board members will be eager to connect with like-minded organizations and individuals with environmental passions.

BGSU 2024 EcoFair:

  • What: The EcoFair is a collection of organizations, classes, businesses, non-profits, departments, and initiatives with a connection to the environment and sustainability. It’s educational, an opportunity to share information with literally hundreds of students, faculty, and staff and lots of fun!
  • Where: BGSU campus, outside of the Education Building. *Rain location: Olscamp Hall, 101*
  • When: Wednesday April 10, 2024 11am-2pm

UToledo Earth Fest:

  • What: Earth Fest is a celebration of Earth Day and sustainability in the Toledo area. Celebrate with us at the university and engage with students, faculty, and community members to talk about positive impacts we are making on our planet.
  • Where:  University of Toledo’s Centennial Mall. *Rain location: under the pavilion of the Student Union. *
  • When: Thursday April 18, 2024, 10am-2pm

Toledo Zoo’s Party for the Planet:

  • What: Join the Toledo Zoo and local environmental organizations in celebrating Mother Earth and exemplifying the mission of being advocates for wildlife and conserving the natural world during Party for the Planet! This is the perfect way to get the whole family involved sustainable activities and information.
  • Where: 2 Hippo Way, Toledo, OH 43609
  • When: Saturday April 20, 2024, 10am-3pm

Earth Month Volunteer Opportunities

Stewardship April Clean upsAlthough every day is Earth Day to us, this April is packed full of volunteer opportunities. We’ve got the run-down of all the ways you can connect with us and give back to your local waterways this month. All of our volunteer opportunities and to sign up can be found here!

You can always check our calendar for the latest information, but here are some highlights to look forward to. We are thrilled to be partnering with the Great American Clean up (GAC) and Great Lakes CleanUP initiative throughout this month!

Clean Your Streams 365

  • Orleans Park: April 21, 2024 2pm-4pm (GAC)
  • Rivercrest Park: April 21, 2024 2pm-4pm (GAC)
  • Municipal Park: April 27, 2024 9am-11am (GAC)
  • Three Meadows Park: April 27, 2024 9am-11am (GAC)
  • Beatty Park (Ottawa River): April 30, 2024 6pm-8pm (Great Lakes CleanUP)

 
Glass City Marathon "Green Team"

  • Sign up through the Marathon’s volunteer website. Scroll down or search for “Green Team” to find volunteer shifts. 

On your mark, Get set, Recycle!

Partnership KTLCB and GCMMake a positive impact on the Ottawa River! Green Team volunteers will set up recycling and waste stations, guided by Green Team coordinators. There are available spots to sign up Friday – Sunday, check them out here!

Since 2020, KTLCB has co-coordinated the “Green Team” at the Mercy Health Glass City Marathon, bringing supplies as well as recruiting volunteers to help manage recycling and composting at one of Toledo’s biggest events. They work behind the scenes to help race organizers make more sustainable choices. In addition to hosting trash clean-ups of their own, KTLCB focuses on recycling education and sustainable event services. They also recently began a Sustainable Restaurant Program. After interested restaurants have completed a short survey and consultation regarding their green practices, KTLCB gives them a "Sustainable Leaf" rating of 1 to 5 leaves, indicating each location’s success in implementing green practices.

Over the years, KTLCB and PCS have worked together to share supplies and co-coordinate clean-up volunteers. We’re proud to be their partner in sustainability! Alongside runners, volunteers work hard to divert marine debris from the Ottawa River. In past years, over the course of a single race weekend, the Green Team often recycles around 3,000 pounds of cardboard, glass, aluminum, plastic, heat sheets, energy packs, and more. Grab a group of friends or head out on your own to make a positive impact on one of our community’s biggest events of the year!

Partners for Clean Streams Inc. is striving for abundant open space and a high quality natural environment; adequate floodwater storage capacities and flourishing wildlife; stakeholders who take local ownership in their resources; and rivers, streams and lakes that are clean, clear and safe