Partners for Clean Streams

06/18/2026

Plastic in our waterways has a story—and it’s one we need to see together!

Join us July 18 at 2 p.m. at the National Museum of the Great Lakes for a powerful screening of Ripples of Plastic. Stay after for a dynamic panel with local conservation voices tackling plastic pollution head-on in the Great Lakes.

🌊 What happens to plastic after it enters our waterways?

Join us on Saturday, July 18 at 2 p.m. for a special screening of 𝘙𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤 at the National Museum of the Great Lakes, presented in partnership with Partners for Clean Streams.

This powerful documentary explores the growing impact of plastic pollution in the Great Lakes through local stories, familiar landscapes, and voices from our own region. Following the screening, stay for a panel discussion with local conservation partners working on the front lines to protect our freshwater resources.

The program connects directly to the themes explored in 𝘊𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘏𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘓𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 and the ways our actions today shape the future of our waters. ⚓

Register now: https://heyor.ca/vShMEV

06/18/2026

Great to see the next phase of the Delaware Creek restoration project moving forward! 🌊🌱 Investments like this help protect water quality, reduce erosion, and improve habitat for future generations.

06/18/2026

YARR!! Thar' litter be plundered! ☠🏴

Last week our crew of 18 volunteers turned into Pollution Pirates and sailed the seven seas to Hedge Island off of Otsego Park with Wood County Parks staff and Partners for Clean Streams members and cleaned 175 POUNDS of litter!!

Some treasures found included a SpiderMan lunchbox, a giant tire, a single croc and a bench, then the customized pirate 'ships' (canoes) paddled back to the mighty mainland and discarded the litter properly.

Want in on the fun? Stay tuned to WCPD for more volunteer events and Partners for Clean Streams details in September, looking towards Clean Your Steams Day!

06/16/2026

Our crew of 18 pirates paddled into action for this year's Pirate Paddle cleanup, hauling in some treasures from the depths: a Spider-Man lunch box, a giant tire, and plenty of other mysterious pirate loot. 🏴‍☠️

A huge thank you to all 18 mates who helped keep our waterways shipshape!

If you missed this voyage, don't worry—we'll be setting sail again this September to help kick off the week of CYS Day. ⚓

Photo Credit: Jessie Walton-Summers

06/09/2026

We are bidding the Crane Creek Lacustuary Restoration Project at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge (ONWR) in Ottawa County, Ohio.

The focus of this project is the restoration of approximately 55 acres of aquatic habitat within the lacustuary section of Crane Creek.

More specifically, the project will create and enhance wetland, shoal, and submerged aquatic habitats to improve fish and benthic populations while also increasing habitat diversity, and address aquatic habitat impairments identified within the Maumee AOC. Work will include site assessments, engineering, design, permitting, construction, native plantings, and invasive species control.

Funding is provided through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (https://www.glri.us/).
Lead on the project is the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority.
Project partners include the Ohio EPA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Geological Survey.

More information on this and other Maumee AOC restoration projects:
https://dmds.maumeerap.org/

06/08/2026

We were proud to partner with Lucas County Engineer's Office and Sylvania Township on an important environmental stewardship project on June 3, 2026!

A team of 19 Scouts and 10 adult volunteers spent the day storm drain stenciling "Lake Erie Starts Here" throughout Sylvania Township to help raise awareness that only rain belongs in our storm drains.

Together, we:
✔️ Stenciled 559 catch basins
✔️ Distributed 1,800 educational flyers
✔️ Helped protect our local waterways and environment

Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time and energy to make a lasting impact in our community. Small actions can make a big difference when we work together!

05/27/2026

From family traditions on the water to shoreline heritage, your photos can help tell Lake Erie’s story for generations to come. Winners will be featured at the Ohio State Fair! 🌊🇺🇸

The Ohio Lake Erie Commission’s 2026 Life on Lake Erie Photo Contest is well underway! This year’s contest offers a one-time category, 🇺🇸 “America’s Story, Lake Erie’s Legacy,” honoring America 250-Ohio! Winning photos will be displayed at the Ohio State Fair, and winners will receive fair admission tickets!

📅 America’s Story, Lake Erie Legacy Deadline: June 3, 2026
📸Accepting images that capture Lake Erie's evolution over time, including multigenerational families and traditions, early development of shoreline communities and businesses, and scenes that reflect patriotism, heritage, pride and lake life.
👉For more details or to enter, visit: https://lakeerie.ohio.gov/about/photo+contest

05/26/2026

A big thank you to the Toledo Early College community and coordinator, Zach Shepler, for showing up and making a real difference at Ravine Park on March 28th! 🌿🧤
Together, we cleaned up trash and debris, helping restore and protect our local environment one bag at a time. Thank you for helping keep our streams and parks clean for everyone!

05/07/2026

Congratulations to the Lucas County Stormwater Department and team on receiving the Ohio Stormwater Association's 2026 Program Excellence Award for our MS4 program and Agricultural Ditch Restoration Projects.

Lucas County is an integral community partner for Partners for Clean Streams, and the this award speaks loudly not only for the Lucas County SD team, but NW Ohio watersheds and the work we do together.

https://www.facebook.com/OhioSWA

https://www.lucascountyengineer.org/odaawardslceoforwaterquality.html

04/21/2026

STUDENT-LED EARTH DAY 5K
The race will begin on April 25th at 8 AM. (Packet pickup will also be from 7:15 AM to 7:45 AM). The start of the race is on the Anthony Wayne High School Track

Sign up here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfwRrB9lk5hydnWc0tGtsuLkjb2Kj0DYPs2SY24pELElq1qbw/viewform