Summary
4-H, Keep Bartow Beautiful, and DNR planned the Rivers Alive cleanup along the Etowah River. This event included clean up time, educational booths, food, and fun activities. There were almost 200 people in attendance and 2 tons of trash collected.
Situation
Water is now more than ever an important issue in Bartow County and Georgia. The water withdrawal in Bartow is 65.4 millions of gallons per day. The population served by public supply is 64,013 and use per capita is 266.1 gallons per day. With streams, the Etowah river, and Lake Allatoona at an all time low, water education and conservation has become a high priority. Our River Alive clean up in Bartow gave youth and adults the opportunity to learn the effect they have on water and their environment.
Response
: Allison Perkins, Bartow County Extension Agent, played a key role in the Rivers Alive Clean up event. This event was help on October 11th 2007 from 9-2pm at Riverside Park in Cartersville, GA. Sherry Hinshaw and Melissa Phillips, Keep Bartow Beautiful, and J.R. Campbell, Department of Natural Resources, were part of the collaborative efforts. Through joint efforts, volunteers and donors were recruited to be a part of our education event. Matt Stickney, EPD Mountain District, showed youth a model community to demonstrate the factors that contribute to environmental pollution and Ginger Bjornson, Corp of Engineers, showed water safety and played a litter game. David Gregory, a wildlife biologist with DNR, taught the importance of wildlife in the environment while Aaron Craven, a Bartow 4-H'er, demonstrated the effects of water flow and shed by using an enviroscape. The last education booth was taught by Melissa Phillips. Melissa taught youth about the Darter fish found in the Etowah River and its importance as an indicator species. After the clean up and visiting the booths, participants enjoyed pizza, cookies, and drinks that were donated by Wal-mart. To promote this event, Allison Perkins contacted the local newspaper for a phone interview to run in conjunction with a news article by a Bartow 4-H'er. In addition, it was advertised to 4-H'ers in the monthly newsletter as well as interviews on the local radio station news show.
Impact
Approximately 147 youth and 50 adults came to participate in the River Clean up. The participants included 4-H'ers and parents, Rotary club members of Cartersville, and Cass High Interact Club, a student branch of Rotary club. In total, 1600 pounds of trash was collected from the Etowah River and several of the tributaries. Some items found included DVD players, toilets, and loads of unread newspapers. This event gave both youth and adults the opportunity to learn the impact pollution can have on water and wildlife and the different jobs available to help protect these resources.
State Issue
Conservation & Management of Natural Resources
Details
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Year:
2007
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Geographic Scope:
County
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County:
Bartow
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Program Areas:
