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Neuse Riverkeeper Samantha Krop met up with Lenoir Community College students last week for the final trash trap cleanout of Kinston Clean Creeks.

The program, funded by a mini-grant from N.C. State University’s Center for Human Health and Environment, paved the way for a partnership with Lenoir Community College’s Science Club and Biology 110 class.

“We may have wrapped up that grant, but we fully intend to continue that partnership in the future,” Samantha said.

On a cold and sunny Thursday, Samantha, biology instructor Jerrod Shipman and physics/astronomy professor and Science Club leader Jason Perry led students on an adventure to Adkin Branch, a tributary of the Neuse River that runs through the heart of Kinston, and the trash trap installed on the creek in August of 2023, part of Sound Rivers’ Litter-Free Rivers program.

“A lot of folks got in waders and got in the creek, and there were a lot of first-timers in waders, so that was fun — there was lots of laughter, shrieking,” Samantha laughed. “Everyone loves to get in the creek.”

The Adkin Branch newcomers relieved the trash trap of 22 pounds of litter captured as it floated downstream, which was followed by an introduction to a YSI meter and all the parameters used to do a water-quality assessment.

More importantly, Samantha said, the students heard from two people who shared how important Adkin Branch used to be to the community: Perry who grew up in Lincoln City, which Adkin Branch runs through; and an observer who just happened to walk by as the trash trap was being cleaned out.

“He told us, ‘I remember a time when I used to walk this creek all the way down to the Neuse, and there were minnows and fish,’” Samantha said. “In the past, people were far more engaged in the creek than they are now, so it’s fun to have a legacy of doing this work with student partners at LCC. It’s meaningful.”

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