Environmentally-Focused Non-Profit Teams up with Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources to Host Watershed Cleanup Event in Norcross on October 25

Duluth, GA – October 14 – Eco-friendly, community-based Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful and its partners at Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources are proud to take part in the 15th Annual Great Days of Service – a cooperative and community-focused initiative created by the Gwinnett Coalition of Health and Human Services. The Coalition is nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the health and human service needs of everyone in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Because the environment plays such an enormous role in the health and wellness of the citizens it serves, Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful and Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources will contribute to this year’s Great Days of Service with a massive watershed cleanup event on October 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

In order to make this event a success, the pair of environmentally-focused organizations is actively seeking volunteers to join them in Norcross to fan out over the Jackson Creek Watershed and undertake a number of tasks that are vital to the preservation and protection of the watershed. Concerned citizens and environmental advocates are currently being sought to serve as:

• Stream Pickers and Wading Warriors during the Jackson Creek and Lucky Shoals Creek Cleanup
• Stream Investigators and Watershed Inspectors during the stream walk and drive-by inspections to survey for  potential areas of concern
• Stormwater Protectors taking part in the Storm Drain Stenciling Program in communities surrounding the park
• Shopaholics during the Illegal Dump Site Cleanup around nearby shopping centers
• Litter Pickers throughout the surrounding area
• Support Groupies to offer assistance to the overall cleanup effort

“Every stream, creek and tributary in Gwinnett feeds into a larger body of water, such as the Yellow River and Chattahoochee River,” explains Connie Wiggins, Executive Director for Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful. “It is imperative that we work together as a community to keep our watersheds free of debris and litter that might contaminate our beautiful local waters and negatively impact fish, wildlife, and drinking water sources for our downstream neighbors. We hope to have lots of our community members join us for what promises to be one really great day of service!”

Volunteers are asked to pre-register online at the Great Days of Service page on www.gwinnettcb.org. Participants in this event will meet at 9:00 a.m. SHARP at Smoketree Town & Country Village Shopping Center at 4771 Britt Road near the intersection of Britt and Jimmy Carter Boulevard in Norcross. Volunteers will then be divided into different groups to help with stream cleanup, litter pick up, gathering data, and stenciling storm drains, just to name a few.  Volunteers are required to wear close-toed shoes, long pants, and clothing that they will not mind getting wet and dirty. Gloves, trash bags, water and snacks will be provided.  For safety reasons, volunteers for this event must be 14 or older. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

About Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful:  Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful Services, Inc. (GCB) is an award-winning 501(c)3 charitable organization that boasts an expansive community-based network dedicated to finding long term solutions to environmental and quality of life issues through individual action. The organization is guided by a 55-member Citizens Advisory Board that represents all sectors of the Gwinnett County community. A nationally recognized leader in creating cleaner, greener and more livable communities throughout Gwinnett, GCB involves more than 100,000 volunteers annually to help prevent litter and graffiti, recycle and reduce waste, and increase environmental awareness. To learn more about Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful and its programs, aspiring environmental stewards are invited to visit www.GwinnettCB.org.

About Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources:  Widely recognized as a publicly-owned utility of the highest caliber through a commitment to and demonstration of operations and customer service excellence, the Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources seeks to enhance quality of life by providing excellent water, wastewater, and storm water services at the best possible value to its customers while preserving natural water resources. For more information, please visit the Department of Water Resources at www.gwinnettcounty.com.