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Small cleanup, with a big impact

Environmental, Litter-Free Rivers, Microplastics, Sound Rivers, Tar-Pamlico Watershed, Volunteer, Volunteers, Water Quality

Posted on April 25th, 2024

Volunteers join Pitt Street Brewing on the Pamlico manager Peter Ramirez (right) to clean up Jack's Creek. (photo by David Pierce)

Despite a rainy, chilly day that kept many people home, an enthusiastic crowd turned out for Sunday’s Earth Day cleanup on the Pamlico.

“We had 11 people show up, besides Sound Rivers’ staff,” said Pamlico-Tar Riverkeeper Katey Zimmerman. “Everyone grabbed supplies and took off for different areas — Betsy (Hester) and Dawn (Dolson) went to the trash trap; another group stayed in the Havens Gardens area; another went walking up Jack’s Creek. We were all over the place, cleaning up trash.”

Partnering in the event was Pitt Street Brewing on the Pamlico, a repeat of last year’s Earth Day cleanup. More than 500 pounds of trash was picked up by the volunteers.

“It’s really important to hold events like this, not only to get litter away from the creek banks and out of our waterways, but they’re also important to raise more awareness about the pollution problem,” Katey said.