Watershed district sponsoring Earth Day Challenge

The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) is celebrating with an Earth Day Cleanup Challenge. Walkers, hikers, and boaters are encouraged to grab a pair of gloves and a trash bag to pick up litter now through April 25.

Participants can post photos of your cleanup to an MWCD Facebook or Instagram page using #MWCDEarthDay2021 and be entered into a drawing for a cooler filled with prizes and a gift certificate.

Those who join an organized cleanup at one of the MWCD lakes can earn a coupon for a night of free camping (one  coupon per household). Cleanup events are scheduled  April 24 at Atwood, Clendening, Piedmont, and Tappan Lakes. The Cleanup Challenge is a great opportunity for groups to help with community projects and service. Groups wishing to participate should contact Ethan Zucal at 330-556-4814 or [email protected]. Cleanup details for each lake are available at www.MWCD.org. 

“Keeping our waterways tangle free ensures healthier wildlife habitats, increases water quality, and prevents injuries and potential accidents,” said Ethan Zucal, MWCD engagement and outreach coordinator. “The fishing line disposal bins are a simple way for fishermen and women to discard line that can no longer be used rather than dropping it in the lakes or leaving it on the shoreline.”

Efforts to decrease litter at MWCD lakes goes beyond Earth Day. A larger, more encompassing litter program is to come, and by April 22, visitors will find fishing line disposal bins located at MWCD Lakes and Parks. MWCD Rangers, Park and Marina staff have been working hard over the last few weeks assembling disposal bins uniquely designed to collect fishing line only. A total of 35 bins will be strategically installed at high-volume fishing areas throughout the district providing an easy and convenient way for fishermen and woman to discard old, excess, or severed fishing line.

The new initiative is one example of MWCD’s efforts to engage our visitors and mitigate a fraction of the overall litter issue found at MWCD Lakes and Parks.