Sedona AZ (March 31, 2015) – Spring Break in Sedona has been a prelude to the crowds sure to visit Oak Creek this summer. To prepare, the Oak Creek Watershed Council (OCWC) will host a day long Creekside clean up event on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

The popularity of Oak Creek as a recreation destination has led to an increasingly problematic litter issue over the past few decades; the trash left alongside and in the creek water contributes to higher E. coli levels.

“We try to host a few cleanups every month,” said Dalton Zanetti, OCWC Operations Assistant. “It makes a huge difference when we get locals out on the ground, taking pride in their own backyard.”

Litter attracts wildlife, such as raccoons and skunks that linger and defecate next to the creek, which raise the creek water E. coli concentration. High amounts of E. coli in Oak Creek indicate the presence of bacteria such as giardia or Cryptosporidium, two types of bacteria that sicken swimmers. Trash cleanups help to make the water safer while preserving the natural wonders surrounding Sedona.

“The OCWC volunteer task force, Friends of Oak Creek, really strives to be the boots-on the-ground crew that provides multiple opportunities for residents to get involved in a meaningful way,” explained Zanetti. “We just want to see more people showing up at cleanup events. It’s a huge task keeping Oak Creek beautiful.”

The OCWC will provide pickers, gloves, safety vests, buckets and trash bags to volunteers. Volunteers will meet at the Indian Gardens Marketplace, SR 89A north of  uptown Sedona, to receive a safety talk and review archeological sensitivity in the area at 10:00 a.m. followed by trash clean up scheduled to end at 3:00 in the afternoon. Full or part time volunteers are welcome!

The Oak Creek Watershed Council (OCWC), a local nonprofit dedicated to the sustainable future of Oak Creek and its watershed, spearheaded the project at a citizen level. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funded the basis for the project through a grant issued in 2013 to help mitigate E. coli contaminants in Oak Creek.

For information on how residents and visitors can learn more about Oak Creek stewardship, visit www.oakcreekwatershed.org. Email Dalton Zanetti at Dalton@oakcreekwatershed.org or Bob Kampfe at bob@oakcreekwatershed.org for more volunteer opportunities with the OCWC.

The Oak Creek Watershed Council is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) dedicated to maintaining a standard of excellence for watershed stewardship, as well as preserving the integrity of Oak Creek and its tributaries. ADEQ’s WQIG program is funded through a partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Water Act. For more information about the program, visit azdeq.gov/environ/water/watershed/index.html#wqig.

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