|
Creek Week 2007 by Alta Tura April 28th dawned clear, and an estimated 1,400 volunteers turned out to clean a creek on Clean-Up Day. Moderate flows in our region's watershed this spring made the creeks more accessible than last year. Because there were no extreme high water events in the rainy season, less debris than usual was washed up on the banks. Even so, about 18 tons of garbage were removed from creeks in Sacramento, Citrus Heights, Folsom, Rancho Cordova and unincorporated Sacramento County. Specially trained volunteers also removed invasive red sesbania plants from 1,000 feet along both sides of Steelhead Creek near Dry Creek. Thousands of seedlings were uprooted and an estimated 3 million seeds were disposed. In addition to the usual tires, shopping carts, and general garbage, there were items fished out of creeks that mystified the finders: a bed frame, water heater, bowling ball, fire extinguisher, fax machine, waffle iron, motorcycle frame, cage trap, washing machine and public telephones. Our volunteers suspect that garbage gets in the creeks in a variety of ways. The big items are illegally dumped; some are stolen property. Homeless encampments account for much of the garbage. Many smaller items have been tossed out of car windows or blown out of trucks and find their way to the creek by way of gutters and storm drains. Every item has its own untold story. Many wildlife sightings were reported by creek cleanup volunteers. Introduced or nuisance species such as opossum, turkeys, peacocks, pheasants, and mosquitoes were spotted. Creek cleaners saw robins, raccoons, grey squirrels, garter snakes, jack rabbits, western fence lizards, and mallards - all native residents. Volunteers were careful to avoid poison oak, a native plant found in abundance along many of Sacramento's creeks. Poison oak is one of many native plants that provide food and cover for urban wildlife. Since ninety percent of urban wildlife depends on creeks, it is not surprising that eggs and young were reported by volunteers. The afternoon Celebration at the Discovery Museum Science Center gave volunteers the opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments. Great live music, fun activities, barbeque, free museum admission and earth-friendly exhibits were enjoyed by all. Many were impressed and inspired by the imaginative Junk & Gunk sculptures on display. Thank you to all who helped with the cleanup. You helped us in our mission to preserve and protect an important urban natural resource - creeks!
Sacramento Urban Creeks Council |
||
