Basic Litter Tips Tailored Toward Waterways

by | Mar 2, 2020 | e-Newslitter

First Day of Spring Brings Fresh Litter-Free Possibilities

Who says spring cleaning is just for your house? Clean up our waterways this season by picking up all of the litter you find while you fish, kayak, and walk around our beautiful North Texas lakes and rivers. Don’t plan on visiting a lake or river any time soon? That’s fine, too! Did you know you could help make our waterways cleaner even when your miles away?

80% of litter found in creeks and rivers traveled from locations on land. This means that the cigarette butt or straw wrapper you saw on the side of the road today is likely to eventually end up contaminating the water that you use to shower, cook with, and drink with – unless it’s picked up and securely thrown away before it gets there. Not only does roadside litter often end up in the water that we use in our daily lives, but it also has extremely harmful impacts on wildlife.

Misplaced waste has the power to harm nature and animals that make our local rivers and lakes so special, oftentimes suffocating and hurting them. Litter can change the structure of river habitats, reduce light level in the waters beneath the debris, and even lessen the amount of available oxygen in the water for aquatic life like fish and algae.

Help save wildlife and human health by stopping litter before it makes its way into waterways. Spring forward into these new habits this season to keep your communities beautiful and yourself and wildlife healthy.

Remember these tips:

  • Tiny pieces of litter have big consequences
    • Cigarette buts, soda cans, food wrappers, and water bottles are a few items that are commonly found in our waterways. Even though there’s an all-time low in cigarette smoking among U.S. adults, cigarette butts still remain the most littered item in the world – and the filters aren’t biodegradable
  • Keep a garbage bag in your car
    • Not only will this help keep your car looking tidy, but it will also lessen the chances of litter being taken by the wind and blown out of an open car window or door
  • Educate others
    • Show us your litter-free lifestyle changes and progress on your social media accounts to update us and encourage your friends and family to join you in making our earth a cleaner place. Don’t forget to use the #ReverseLitter hashtag!
  • Make sure your trash is secure
    • The next time you toss a small piece of trash on-top of a full trash can, or near one and it falls out, remember that close just isn’t close enough. Trash that’s not secured safely in a trash can could easily be picked up by the wind and scattered far away from its correct waste and recycling bins
  • Participate in a community clean-up day (listed below)

Sign up for a fun and rewarding clean-up experience. Come together with your family, friends, and community to make your area a better place to live and visit.

Happy World Water Day!

Get ready for World Water Day on March 22nd by learning all about where your water comes from and how the Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) works to preserve and revitalize it. For more than 90 years, TRWD has improved the quality of life in North Texas communities by providing a reliable and sustainable water supply, vital flood protection, and an outstanding variety of recreational opportunities.

Tarrant Regional Water District Fun Facts:

TRWD…

  • Provides water to more people than the entire population of New Mexico
  • Has a 50-year water supply plan in place
  • Provides raw water to more than 30 wholesale customers in 11 North Texas counties
  • Manages four lakes: Bridgeport, Cedar Creek, Eagle Mountain, and Richland-Chambers
  • Provides residents access to more than 70+ miles through 31 neighborhoods and 21 city parks
  • Built more than 250 miles of pipelines that move raw water from lakes east of Dallas back to Tarrant County
  • Has made proactive water conservation efforts and initiatives that are helping save an average of 100 million gallons of water per day
  • Built Eagle Mountain Park, Airfield Falls Trailhead & Conservation Park, and the George W. Shannon Wetlands to help preserve wildlife and pollinator habitats
  • Monitors water quality in their lakes and the Trinity River, which are both sources of drinking water and popular recreation destination, for almost 30 years

 

Join Us for These Upcoming Events!

Dallas

OAK CLIFF EARTH DAY 2020

What? Celebrate nature, the environment, and our planet at the 13th annual Earth Day event at the beautiful and historic Lake Cliff Park, made available through the generosity of Dallas Park and Recreation.
Where? Lake Cliff Park, 300 E Colorado, Dallas, TX 75201
When? Sunday, April 19 noon to 5 p.m. 

OAK CLIFF EARTH DAY 2020

What? Attend the world’s largest environmental experience exposition featuring food trucks, scuba diving, goat yoga, a tiny house exhibit and much, much more. Information available here.
Where? Fair Park, 3921 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
When? April 24 – 26

Denton

GREAT AMERICAN CLEANUP

What? For nearly 30 years, Dentonites have taken an active role in keeping their city clean and beautiful by participating in the Great American Cleanup (GAC). GAC is part of a national effort with Keep America Beautiful, and more than 20,000 communities take part each year. In 2017, 2,353 Denton volunteers joined together to clean up nearly four tons of litter at various cleanups held between March and May. These dedicated community members removed trash and recycling from our city’s streets, waterways, and public spaces, leaving Denton visibly cleaner and more beautiful. Pre-registration will begin soon, check their website for more details.

Where? Clean up: Various locations in Denton; Volunteer Party: Denton Civic Center & Quakertown Park
When? Saturday, March 21; Clean up: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.; Volunteer Party: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

DENTON REDBUD FESTIVAL

What? The award-winning Denton Redbud Festival is Denton’s Official Arbor Day celebration – promoting community beautification and Denton pride since 1994. The Denton Redbud Festival features dozens of vendors with tree and plant sales, gardening supplies, household items and local/handmade products, along with family-friendly activities and live, local music.
Where? Denton Civic Center & Quakertown Park
When? Saturday, April 4 

Fort Worth

TRWD FLYFEST

What: For more than 30 years, TRWD’s Urban Fishing Program has given local anglers an opportunity to fish in and along the Trinity River just minutes from downtown Fort Worth. Each winter, they partner with Texas Parks and Wildlife to stock thousands of rainbow trout in the river at Trinity and River Parks. They also host TRWD’s Flyfest each spring that brings thousands to the river in southwest Fort Worth. The all-day festival also features fly fishing workshops, demonstrations, food and lots of family fun for everyone. Sign up to participate or volunteer, or learn more about the activities, on their website.
Where: The festival will take place in and along the rippling waters of the Clear Fork of the Trinity River located near the intersection of Bryant Irvin Road and River Park Drive
When: Saturday, March 14, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

EAGLE MOUNTAIN LAKE COMMUNITY CLEAN UP

What: Join the Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) for the 28th Annual Eagle Mountain Lake Community Cleanup. Volunteer with your family or friends for this great event dedicated to keeping our waterways free of litter. Registration for this event is required. Registration will open at the end of January 2020.
Where: Meet at 10201 N. Shore Drive
When: Cleanup Event: Saturday, March 21, 8:30 – 11:00 am; After-Party at Twin Points Park: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

COWTOWN CLEANUP

What? Every year thousands of volunteers join Keep Fort Worth Beautiful to make a huge impact on communities across the city by cleaning litter from parks, right of ways, rivers and other public areas. You can join this effort by registering yourself or a group to help clean areas near you. Choose your own area to clean or a pre-selected area in the City called “Cleanup Hubs” that need volunteers. Registration opens Feb. 1; please visit Keep Fort Worth Beautiful’s site to learn more and register. They supply gloves and trash bags for all volunteers who register. Event t-shirts are distributed to the first 6,000 volunteers. Lunch provided at Earth Party for all volunteers.
Where? Citywide
When? Saturday, April 4th, 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.

EARTH PARTY

What? A party for all great Cowtown Great American Cleanup volunteers and green enthusiasts at the largest green event in Fort Worth. There will be live music and family-friendly activities for all ages. Visit educational booths and exhibits to learn about topics like water conservation, air quality, waste reduction and recycling, environmental issues, healthy living initiatives and much more. Free and open to the public, free parking.
Where? Trinity Park, 3003 Trinity Park Drive
When? Saturday, April 4, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

TRINITY TRASH BASH (SPRING)

What? Join the annual cleanup of the beloved Trinity River. We challenge you to get up and give back. Groups, families and individuals can volunteer. Event updates and registration to open on the Tarrant Regional Water District site soon.
Where? TBD
When? Saturday, May 16 

Other

LAKE BRIDGEPORT COMMUNITY CLEANUP

What? Help out by collecting discarded debris and litter around the lake area and community. This annual event is a great way for families and community groups to support their neighborhoods.
Where? Bridgeport, TX
When? Saturday, April 18