News

Neuse Riverkeeper Samantha Krop was on the lookout for the next Raleigh trash trap location this week.

Sam teamed up with partners Preston Ross III, of The Great Raleigh Cleanup, Joyce Gaffney, from Raleigh’s Stormwater Department, and Dr. Barbara Doll, from N.C. State University to find the ideal place for a sixth trash trap to be installed — part of Sound Rivers’ Litter-Free Rivers program.

“It was a good scouting trip — it was conclusive,” Sam said. “It’s going to be a fun partnership between Sound Rivers, The Great Raleigh Cleanup, the City of Raleigh and N.C. State.”

The trash-trap team decided Marsh Creek, a direct tributary of the Neuse River in north-northeast Raleigh, is the location they agreed needed a trash trap the most.

“Marsh Creek, where we are looking to put it, is a very dirty part of the watershed in terms of trash. When we were there, we saw more than just runoff — it’s a dumping ground,” Sam said. “Part of what we hope to do is a lot of education about that trash.”

The partnership includes installation of the trap and clean-outs, and Doll’s students will be studying the trash collected.

“They’re going to be analyzing trash accumulation and what trash makes its way into our urban streams,” Sam said.

Are you interested in becoming part of our Litter-Free Rivers program? Volunteer to clean out a trash trap in your area by emailing Volunteer Coordinator Emily Fritz at emily@soundrivers.org!