Watershed Stewards participating in ‘Little Rock Day of Community Service’
By Ryan McGeeney
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Nov. 8, 2019
Fast Facts:
- Arkansas Watershed Steward Program to clean up Coleman Creek, maintain rain garden
- Last year’s effort removed about 1,000 lbs. of litter from creek
- Contact John Pennington at jhpennington@uada.edu or 501-671-2195, or Katelynn Walker at kbwalker1@ualr.edu for more info
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LITTLE ROCK – Arkansans looking for a way to help contribute to a cleaner environment are invited to participate in an effort to clean up Coleman Creek on Nov. 16 as part of the Little Rock Day of Service.
The cleanup is being organized by the Arkansas Watershed Steward Program, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service. The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is co-sponsoring the event. In addition to the creek cleanup, volunteers will also have the opportunity to perform rain garden maintenance.
The effort is also part of the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Great Arkansas Cleanup event, for which volunteers across Arkansas work to beautify locations throughout the state.
John Pennington, water quality educator for the Division of Agriculture, said the day of service offers residents an opportunity to get involved in shaping and improving their own environment.
“The Little Rock Day of Community Service is a great opportunity for individuals, families or groups to make a positive difference for their community or the community where they work,” Pennington said. “Everyone can make a positive difference, and our collective actions can make a huge impact. This event aligns closely with the Arkansas Watershed Program, where citizens are encouraged to actively take care of our water resources.”
The half-day event will begin with volunteer check-in at 9 a.m. at the Cooperative Extension Service headquarters, located at 2301 S. University Ave. in Little Rock, as well as the Bailey Alumni and Friends Center on the UA Little Rock campus.
Volunteers will fan out to remove illegally discarded trash, or litter, from the creek, or to help maintain a rain garden. Volunteers will be provided with gloves, trash bags, tools, water, snacks, and a free t-shirt. Volunteers are encouraged to wear sturdy, close-toed shoes, and yard work clothes that can get a little dirty.
Event organizers and sponsors include the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission, City of Little Rock, UALR, UALR Biology Club, Friends of Fourche Creek, and the Arkansas Game and Fish Stream Team.
Volunteers can either contact John Pennington at jhpennington@uada.edu or 501-671-2195, or Katelynn Walker at kbwalker1@ualr.edu for more information.
To learn more about organizing community beautification and cleanup events, or about protecting water quality with rain gardens, contact John Pennington at jhpennington@uada.edu or visit http://www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow the Cooperative Extension Service on Twitter at @AR_Extension and on Instagram at @UAEX_edu. Follow the Agricultural Experiment Station on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch and Instagram at ArkAgResearch.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact the Cooperative Extension Service as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.
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Media Contact: Ryan McGeeney
Communication Services
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2120
rmcgeeney@uada.edu