For several years now, CLEAN has been conducting community cleanups throughout the Houston area. We have teamed up with local school groups such as Houston Scholar Program, YES Prep and Rice University’s Urban Immersion Program to conduct canoe and site cleanups of various waterways, parks and recreational areas. The cleanups have recovered several hundred pounds worth of debris including plastic bags, Styrofoam packaging material, soda cans, plastic bottles, the odd umbrella, truck tires and even a large orange construction barrel.
Beyond just removing trash, the cleanups provide the opportunity to educate students about wildlife and natural habitats and the effects we, as humans, have on the natural world, in hopes that exposure to such things will engender a life-long appreciation for nature. Students are taught about the native flora and fauna and the complex but delicate balance that exists in natural ecosystems. In our last trip to the bayou we spotted a number of wildlife including frogs, fish, bats, dragonflies, white herons and beavers. Students witness first hand how common litter finds its way into the bayou and can transform a beautiful wilderness into a veritable landfill. They leave these cleanups with a deeper understanding of nature and its direct connections to their every day lives.
We have been getting great response from our participants and the media.
The cleanups have been covered by a number of local TV stations, radio
stations and print publications. To find out how your school or program
can participate call 713-524-3000.
For more information about our different cleanup efforts click here.