Thursday, April 19, 2007

Creek Week

The annual event is coming right up.

Waterways to get their annual grooming
By Jennifer K. Morita - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PDT Thursday, April 19, 2007


Every year during the last week of April, hundreds of volunteers converge on area creeks, dutifully scooping up bits of garbage and hauling away debris.

Creek Week, an all-volunteer effort to clean up miles of waterways meandering through Sacramento and Placer counties, also has evolved over the past 17 years into a good deal more than litter removal.

From guided walking tours to workshops on river-friendly landscaping, this year's activities are aimed at teaching the public how to protect its urban creeks.

"Creek Week is about educating people so they understand the value of our waterways," said Bill Plumb, head organizer of Lincoln's Creek Week events. "It allows people to get involved in the responsibility of caring for their creeks."

This year, organizers have added Creek Week celebrations at Roseville's Royer Park and Folsom's Willow Hills Reservoir Community Park. The get-togethers will feature displays on eco-friendly products, water pollution, recycling and other topics related to area waterways.

Both the Urban Creeks Council of Sacramento and the Dry Creek Conservancy in Placer County will offer workshops to teach homeowners gardening practices that are safe for area riparian habitats.