Collaborative Cleanup Held in Northwest PA

A cleanup was held on Ore Dock Road in Erie, PA on August 13, 2022. This cleanup was hosted collaboratively by The University of Pittsburgh’s (Pitt) Northwest Pennsylvania Veteran Suicide Prevention Program and the Penn State Extension Master Watershed Stewards of Erie, Warren, and Crawford Counties.

Plastic and other forms of debris pollute Lake Erie and other water bodies across Pennsylvania. There is a strong need for volunteers to assist in the removal of that debris in conjunction with preventative methods and raising awareness. This cleanup focused on Ore Dock Road in Erie, PA, due to a special request by Keep Erie County Beautiful, a Keep America Beautiful affiliate. It is critical to sustain and enhance our water quality and conserve this most valuable resource through litter and plastic removal.

On August 13, volunteers from both programs and the public worked together to remove over 600 pounds of trash from the Lake Erie Watershed along Ore Dock Road. The volunteers worked diligently until there were no more bags to fill. Following the cleanup effort, snacks provided by the University of Pittsburgh were enjoyed for refueling and rehydrating after a successful, yet hot, day of trash pickup.

MWS Coordinator Amber Stilwell and Veteran Suicide Prevention Program Director Lee Wagner weigh bags filled will collected trash from Ore Dock Road. Photo: Issy Lawrie, Master Watershed Steward

Throughout the 15-county region of Northwest Pennsylvania, the Veteran Suicide Prevention Program collaborates with healthcare partners, community organizations, Veterans, and their families to eliminate suicide deaths. By focusing on resiliency and protective factors, the program improves access to treatment and support services, increases awareness of suicide risk, and provides targeted suicide prevention activities and training opportunities. The program's public-facing materials, resources, and events can be found at TheResilientVeteran.org

The Master Watershed Steward program is a Penn State Extension program built to train volunteers in water conservation efforts. Stewards can assist with various efforts, including litter cleanups, tree plantings, education within the community, active participation in a watershed association, and much more. Questions about the Erie, Warren, and Crawford Master Watershed Steward Program can be directed to Amber Stilwell, the program coordinator, at ars26@psu.edu. More information can be found at the Master Watershed Steward Program, including a staff directory for other programs across Pennsylvania.

Volunteers gathered after the cleanup for a photo opportunity at Ore Dock Road. Photo: Amber Stilwell, MWS Coordinator