SEGUIN — The second annual Geronimo and Alligator Creeks Cleanup Event has been scheduled from 9 a.m.-noon April 5, coordinators said.
The event is coordinated by the Geronimo and Alligator Creeks Partnership as part of implementation efforts for the area’s watershed protection plan.
“As a volunteer, you can help protect our local water resources by collecting trash from several target areas that drain to the creeks,” said Ward Ling, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service watershed coordinator.
Ling said participants can meet at any of the following three locations:
— Parker Lumber parking lot, 1555 E. Court St., Seguin.
— Navarro High School parking lot, 6350 N. State Highway 123, Seguin.
— New Braunfels Regional Airport at the corner of Airport Road and Entrance Drive.
Ling said volunteers should arrive by 9 a.m. for breakfast tacos, event T-shirts, safety instructions and supplies.
“If you have your own gloves or pick-up tools, bring them and dress appropriately for the weather,” Ling said.
Trash bags and a limited supply of gloves and pick-up tools will be available.
“Last year’s event was a great success and this year’s cleanup will be bigger and better. But it would not be possible without the support from our many sponsors,” said Debbie Magin, director of water quality services for the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority.
Sponsors providing financial support for the event include: Alamo Group, Continental, Commissioner Seidenberger, Geronimo Lions Club, Geronimo Creek Retreat, HEB, KWED, Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority, New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung, Progressive Waste Solutions, Seguin Gazette, Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, The cities of Seguin and New Braunfels, Liz Sedlacek, Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church, AgriLife Extension, Robin and Bill Walker, and several other individuals.
In addition, the cities of New Braunfels and Seguin are donating large containers to collect the trash and providing free disposal.
Register at http://www.geronimocreek.org/Register.aspx or contact Ling at 979-845-6980 or wling@ag.tamu.edu. For more event information, contact Ling at 979-845-6980 or wling@ag.tamu.edu, or Magin at 830-379-5822 or dmagin@gbra.org.
Volunteers will include teams organized by the financial sponsors and neighborhood groups, as well as individual citizens who are concerned about the welfare of the creeks.
“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the community for this year’s event already,” Ling said. “There are more than 200 people who signed up online. Everyone is invited to come join the effort.”
The Geronimo and Alligator Creeks Watershed Protection Plan was developed by local stakeholders after water monitoring data showed elevated concentrations of bacteria and nitrogen in the creeks. The plan outlines strategies to restore and protect water quality in the creeks. Quarterly meetings are held to discuss progress and plan activities, and all citizens are encouraged to attend and get involved. Go to http://www.geronimocreek.org/ for more information.
A Clean Water Act grant was provided to the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to enable development of the plan.
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