Writer: Paul Schattenberg, 210-859-5752, paschattenberg@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Ward Ling, 979-845-6980, wling@tamu.edu
SEGUIN – The fifth annual Geronimo and Alligator Creeks Cleanup Event for the Seguin and New Braunfels area is scheduled for 9 a.m.-noon April 8.
The annual Geronimo and Alligator Creeks Cleanup Event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon April 8. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo)
The event is coordinated by the Geronimo and Alligator Creeks Partnership as part of implementation efforts for the area’s watershed protection plan. The plan was developed by local stakeholders after water monitoring data showed elevated concentrations of bacteria and nitrogen in the creeks.
“As a volunteer, you can help protect Geronimo and Alligator creeks by collecting trash from several target areas that drain to the creeks,” said Ward Ling, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program specialist and watershed coordinator, College Station.
Ling said participants can go online at http://geronimocreek.org/ and register by clicking on the form under the Clean Up announcement. Participants will meet at any of the following three locations:
— Parker Lumber parking lot, 1555 E. Court St., Seguin.
— Navarro High School parking lot, 6450 N. Texas Highway 123, Seguin.
— New Braunfels Regional Airport at the corner of Airport Road and Entrance Drive.
Those interested can also register by contacting Ling at 979-845-6980 or wling@tamu.edu.
Volunteers should arrive at 9 a.m. for breakfast tacos, event T-shirts, safety instructions and supplies. While there, they will be given directions to local areas needing trash pickup.
“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.”
Ling said last year’s event was a great success with 195 volunteers picking up over 1,000 pounds of trash from 27 locations around the area.
“We want this year’s cleanup to be even bigger and better,” said Mike Urrutia, director of water quality services for the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority. “This event would not be possible without the support from our sponsors and volunteers.”
Coordinators said the number of sponsors for the event is growing and currently include: Alamo Group, Becker’s Feed & Fertilizer, Ehlers Tree Farm, Guadalupe County Groundwater Conservation District, Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority, KWED, Planet Fitness, Parker’s Building Supply, Progressive Waste Solutions, the City of New Braunfels and Thrivent Financial.
“There is still time to sign up to sponsor the event,” Ling said. “Just go to the Geronimo and Alligator Creeks Partnership website for information on how you can be sponsor.”
The City of New Braunfels and Progressive Waste Solutions are donating large disposal containers to collect the trash and providing disposal free of charge.
Volunteers can include teams organized by the sponsors or 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. “Everyone is invited to come join the effort.”
Funding is provided through a Clean Water Act nonpoint source grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administered by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board.
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