Clackamas Water Environment Services (WES) began its eighth annual partnership with the nonprofit SOLVE over the weekend to support local environmental maintenance. During the “Summer Waterway Cleanups” event on Wednesday at Meldrum Bar Park in Gladstone, volunteers collected an estimated 791 pounds of litter from the park’s 85-acre area, according to Clackamas County. The event also provided information about stormwater runoff and its effects on Oregon’s water systems and ecosystems.
In the previous year, over 1,500 volunteers took part in 61 events, during which more than 30,000 pounds of waste were collected and properly disposed of from local outdoor areas. The events drew participation from a range of groups, including students, local businesses, county staff, and individuals focused on environmental efforts, who worked together at locations such as Meldrum Bar Park to support waste removal and site maintenance.
The collaboration between WES and SOLVE functions as both a cleanup effort and an informational initiative, emphasizing the connection between waste on land and its potential to enter local water systems. The events regularly bring together volunteers who participate in removing debris from public areas as part of ongoing efforts to address environmental impacts.
WES recognizes its collaboration with SOLVE and similar organizations as a key element in managing watersheds and protecting water quality, which has an impact on both human and environmental health. As noted by Clackamas County, these joint efforts reflect a proactive approach to addressing environmental challenges, highlighting the importance of community involvement in achieving sustainable outcomes.
