Pamlico-Tar Riverkeeper Jill Howell takes a PFAS sample on Jack’s Creek this week in Washington.

Pamlico-Tar Riverkeeper Jill Howell has had a busy week: first PFAS sampling on Jack’s Creek in Washington, part of a statewide study about the prevalence of “forever chemicals” in local waterways, then attaching the new sponsor sign on the Jack’s Creek Trash Trout.

Installed in early May this year, the Trash Trout is part of another study, this one to determine how much microplastic is in local waterways and where those microplastics come from. That’s where the Trash Trout comes into play: every few weeks, volunteers “audit” the Trash Trout, keeping track of what kind of trash it collects.

Many thanks to Trash Trout sponsors Betsy & Joe Hester, Bill & Sara Hanifin, Inner Banks Outfitters, Inner Banks Cycling Group and the City of Washington!

Jill also attended the two-day Waterkeepers Carolina conference in Wilmington and Thursday, joins Neuse Riverkeeper Samantha Krop for a Neuse River Celebration in Raleigh at Sound Rivers’ partner Neuse River Brewing.

Jill joined other waterkeepers from across the state for a boat cruise on the Cape Fear River during the Waterkeepers Carolina conference.

Thanks to our Trash Trout sponsors!