MCA Annual Trash-a Thon FUNDraiser Starts September 1
Trash-A-Thon: Getting the Cleanups Rollin
2022 Trash-a-Thon has commenced! Two intrepid Trash Team members went out to "scout".....except they forgot their paddles....and of course they went any way, each using 1/2 of a kayak paddle.
While it was scheduled to be a quick planning trip to look for best places to cleanup, the team couldn't help picking up a few bits, pieces, and mounds of trash along the way including a shopping cart, 6 tires, and a BOWLING BALL! In addition, the "quick" trip didn't turn out to be very quick (remember they only had 1/2 paddle each) and by the time they reached the take out, it was 9 pm!
Bad news, it is hard to unload heavy wet trash in the dark. Good news, when you paddle the creek in the dark, the moon light is gorgeous and the chances of seeing a great horned owl skyrockets!
Teams went back on Saturday morning to continue their adventures, bust out some log jams, and clean up more sections of Mill Creek. You can BE A PART OF THIS FUN(draiser) too! JOIN THE MCA Trash-a-Thon and help us pick up trash and bring in cash. All proceeds benefit our award winning education, restoration and recreation programs. Find out more at: www.themillcreekalliance.org/tat
Thanks to the Trash Teams for "getting things rolling" !
We're on the Radio!
Litter Gitters in Cincinnati
Pilot Program Announced to Remove Recyclable Material from Greater Cincinnati Waterways and Provide Green Jobs in the Community
Mill Creek Alliance, Coca-Cola Consolidated, and Osprey Initiative announce a pilot program to collect and remove recyclable materials from the waterways in the Greater Cincinnati area using devices called Litter Gitters. In addition to collecting and removing materials from the waterways, this pilot program will gather data and find sustainable solutions for the future using the materials gathered from the Litter Gitters. Litter Gitters are small stream litter collection devices used to intercept floating debris from storm water runoff. The devices will be cleaned weekly and after heavy rains in the area, if needed. Osprey Initiative will employ a number of local personnel to maintain the traps, creating Green Jobs in the area. Osprey Initiative will install the first Litter Gitters of this pilot program on February 11, 2020!
Coke Consolidated is the largest Coca-Cola bottler in the United States. Their Purpose is to honor God, serve others, pursue excellence and grow profitably. For 118 years, they have been deeply committed to the consumers, customers, and communities they serve and are passionate about the broad portfolio of beverages and services they offer.
Osprey Initiative, LLC is a specialty environmental contractor bringing tailored solutions for specific environmental. Their work to bridge the gap between intent and action in the sustainability world by focusing on implementable projects to fit client needs. Ohio is the third state and eighth watershed where Litter Gitters have been deployed.
Mussels Return to the Mill Creek!
Last fall, freshwater mussels were reintroduced to the Mill Creek at two locations. These were the first mussels in Mill Creek for over 100 years.....we thought. At our first ever Mill Creek BioBlitz at Salway Park on June 1, a volunteer found a mussel shell at the upstream riffle we installed in 2018. The mussel has now been positively identified: it is a recent shell of a female fatmucket, also known as a yellow mucket. Although the species is widespread in the state, this is the first record of this species in the Mill Creek. It means it is quite likely that there are other mussels in the stream, at least below Salway. Larval mussels (glochidia) spread by attaching to the gills of fish, then later dropping off. By opening up more of the stream to fish migration, it’s open for mussel migration also.