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STEELE CREEK NEWS
Big Sweep on
Walkers Branch and Copperhead Island is October 7
(September
29, 2006) From the mountains to the coast, North Carolinians will be
grabbing trash bags, putting on gloves, and sweeping waterways clean
on Saturday, October 7th. Charlotte-Mecklenburg needs volunteers to
join in the good, clean fun!
Big Sweep is a great opportunity for individuals,
families, youth groups, civic groups, and corporations to remove
trash and debris from our streams, river, and lake shorelines. Water
pollution is more than just ugly. Litter can be deadly to wildlife
if they eat it or get tangled in it. It's a health hazard that can
even impact our drinking water supply.
Join your neighbors from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at one
of thirteen pre-determined locations. Or choose to clean the creek
closest to your home! Two locations are in Steele Creek:
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Walker Branch
Greenway, in the RiverGate Shopping
Center.
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Copperhead Island, at
the end of Soldier Road
Volunteers will be given
gloves, bags, water, snacks, and bug spray at the location.
Contact
Erin Oliverio if you plan to participate so that she can
have site coordinators prepared with supplies.
Some safety tips are:
-
Wear clothes that can
get wet and/or muddy and closed toe shoes/boots, no flip-flops or tevas,
etc.
-
Protect yourself from
the sun.
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Volunteers 14 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
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Watch out for poison ivy, poison oak, snakes, yellow jackets and
other stinging insects.
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Always clean with a buddy. If you or your buddy gets hurt,
tell the site coordinator immediately.
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Be
careful on creeks and riverbanks. They can be steep, slippery and
unstable. If you're unsure of the conditions, find a safer access.
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Don't wade into creeks and rivers where the current is fast
moving.
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Don't pick up anything that looks heavy. Alert the site
coordinator so it can be picked up later.
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If
you find an animal--dead or alive--don't touch it. Animals can
carry diseases, and trapped or injured animals may bite. Report
any animals found to the site coordinator.
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If
it looks dangerous, it probably is -- stay away from it.
Remember, the Grand Opening for the Walkers Branch Greenway Trail
is the next Saturday. Big Sweep participants can help get the
greenway cleaned up for the ceremony. Contact
Erin Oliverio or visit the
Big Sweep web site if you have questions.
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