The EE Sampler - Jefferson County Public Schools

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Aaron Olson A Creek in Need September 22 nd 2007 is a day that will always hold a place in my mind. On this day, I went with my Urban Waters class at the University of Louisville to paddle and help clean up Beargrass Creek, a creek well-known in the Louisville area. The 22 nd was also scheduled as a clean-up day for the creek, where local volunteers pick up trash and attempt to make a small dent in the amount of litter cluttering the banks. I knew that the creek was unclean and had seen the signs stating that it was also unfit for swimming and fishing, but I was unaware of how bad it actually was. Upon arrival at the parking lot off Story Avenue where the class was meeting, I was outfitted by the clean-up organizers with gloves and a large trash bag, as were my classmates. We went down to the edge of the creek where a small number of volunteers were hard at work picking up trash that had been carelessly tossed out of windows or not picked up by their fellow citizens. It was unfortunate to see how few people had sacrificed their Saturday morning to help remove trash from the waters. We climbed into our canoes and headed up stream to do water quality analyses and to do our part in cleaning. On our short trip up to where the tests were done, I saw hundreds of plastic bottles, Styrofoam cups, and plastic bags. I also noted the unbelievable number of shopping carts; I probably counted close to fifteen. To top all this off, there was even an upside down Volkswagen Beetle resting in the middle of the creek, where I imagine it had been for at least most of my lifetime. The water quality tests showed even more proof that Beargrass creek is suffering. We found mainly leeches and aquatic worms and none of the invertebrates that signify good water quality. After the tests, we stayed at our landing area for about twenty minutes picking up all kinds of trash, many plastic bags and bottles, clothing, a mannequin, and the biggest item, one of 3
the many shopping carts. We piled all fourteen or so bags plus the mannequin and the shopping cart into one of the canoes and made our way back to where we began. Sadly, judging by the number of bags left by other volunteers, the turnout, at least in our area of the creek, was poor. Beargrass Creek flows through most parts of our city and is so polluted that it is not safe to enjoy the way it could be. Cleaning and canoeing at Beargrass Creek has made me realize the importance keeping our local streams and creeks clean. Before this trip it was easy for me to not think much about Beargrass Creek, but now it is hard for me to forget the state it is in. The trip on the creek has raised my awareness to it's problems and has provided the impetus for me to attend clean up days and tell others about what I experienced, hoping that they too will see a need to clean up and maintain this local landmark 4
Page 1 and 2: The EE Sampler Selections from the
Page 3 and 4: Introduction This environmental sam
Page 5 and 6: The EE Sampler Selections from the
Page 7: Cleaning Beargrass Creek Kristen Ba
Page 11 and 12: A Beargrass Creek Experience By: Du
Page 13 and 14: Patti Reitz 13 Nov 2007 Second Hand
Page 15 and 16: Do you hear the noise? By Vanessa H
Page 17 and 18: Liz Gramiak to as “fussy” and o
Page 19 and 20: Brian Durham Similarly, riding the
Page 21 and 22: Rain Gardens: What, Why, and How? K
Page 23: Disposal of Animal Waste Sarah Payn
Page 27 and 28: David Soleimani-Meigooni Mining Pro
Page 29 and 30: Farming v. Fishing? Is One Industry
Page 31 and 32: Literary Writing: Short Stories, Mo
Page 33 and 34: Cory Child Urban Water “As you ca
Page 35 and 36: The Lights come up with Evan and Ja
Page 37 and 38: Literary Writing: Poetry Poetry is
Page 39 and 40: Diana Neamtu The Oak Tree A tall oa
Page 41: Recycle - Amy Kuhn Empty, Sort, Sta

The EE Sampler - Jefferson County Public Schools

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