The Geronimo and Alligator Creeks Partnership has hosted a spring cleanup for the past seven years, but the cleanup on Oct. 19 will be the first fall cleanup, as well as part of the Keep Texas Beautiful initiative. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo)
Fall cleanup will be part of Keep Texas Beautiful initiative
The first-ever fall Geronimo and Alligator Creeks Cleanup Event has been scheduled for 9:30 a.m.-noon Oct. 19 in Seguin.
The event is coordinated by the Geronimo and Alligator Creeks Partnership as part of implementation efforts for the area’s watershed protection plan.
“We have hosted the annual event in the spring for the past seven years and wanted to have a fall event this year to try and reach more people,” said Ward Ling, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialist and watershed coordinator. “Volunteers help clean up Geronimo and Alligator creeks by collecting trash from the roadsides that drain into the creeks.”
Volunteers will meet at the Irma Lewis Seguin Outdoor Learning Center, 1865 U.S. Highway 90 East in Seguin. They should arrive at 9:30 a.m. for breakfast tacos, safety instructions and supplies.
Volunteers can include corporate teams and neighborhood groups, as well as individual residents who are concerned about the welfare of the creeks.
Trash bags and a limited supply of gloves and pick-up tools will be available.
“While there, volunteers will receive directions to local areas needing trash pick up,” Ling said. “If you have your own gloves or pick up tools, bring them and dress appropriately for the weather.”
Anyone wishing to participate in the cleanup may register online by going to the Geronimo and Alligator Creeks website and clicking on the registration form under the Clean Up announcement or contact Ling at 979-845-6980.
“It rained the morning of this year’s spring event, but we still had over 115 volunteers show up,” Ling said. “Together, they removed 1,800 pounds of trash from roadsides around the area. We are hoping for better weather this fall and for a good crowd to come out.”
Progressive Waste Solutions is donating a large disposal container to collect the trash and providing disposal free of charge.
“We are excited the cleanup will also be a part of the greater Fall Sweep being sponsored by the Keep Texas Beautiful initiative,” Ling said. “This is the first year Keep Texas Beautiful has sponsored fall clean up events, and it is only fitting that Geronimo and Alligator creeks be a part of this statewide approach to cleaning up watershed areas.”
The Geronimo and Alligator Creeks Watershed Protection Plan was developed by local stakeholders after water quality 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.
Funding for this effort is provided through a federal Clean Water Act nonpoint source grant administered by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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