What does 10 tons of trash look like? Muddy tires, corroded metal pieces, moldy sleeping bags, plastic bags, and shoes without their partner.
That is what Sierra Club volunteers collected in April from Granite Creek in Prescott, Arizona.
Water is scarce in Prescott. For the annual Granite Creek Clean-up, 500 volunteers from the Sierra Club's Yavapai Group Sentinels and partner Prescott Creeks collected an impressive amount of rubbish to improve the precious resource. “The partnership with Sierra Club Water Sentinels on this throughout all the years and many other aspects of watershed protection is invaluable,” said Prescott Creeks Outreach and Communications Director Ann-Marie Benz.
Volunteers were encouraged to save anything they collected that could be re-purposed into art. In fact, three tons of the debris will be upcycled. Later in the year, community members will display their creative talents through an exhibit and auction featuring the art made from creek debris. Citizens will also have the chance to learn more about what trash and treasures lurk under the creek water.
(Photo: Volunteers collect a metal object and sleeping bag at the Granite Creek Clean-up. Photo courtesy of West Howland.)
