On the first Saturday of April each year, dozens of volunteers turn out to help clean streams across the city. Bowie’s volunteer Stream Teams walk along specific stream segments and pick up trash and litter. Our cleanups have removed approximately 15 tons of material that would still be littering Bowie’s streams, the Patuxent River and even the Chesapeake Bay. Some of the more interesting items found include a riding lawnmower, a car door, a television set and a sofa, a rusted box spring embedded in a tree, and a pink flamingo (the plastic kind).

Clean-up days are a good time for Bowie residents to get out into the environment and experience nature while working to protect Bowie’s important natural resources. We would love to have your class, church group or civic association join us, and we always have room for additional Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. We will provide volunteers with all supplies; you just need to have sturdy boots (or shoes), long sleeves, water, and fun!

If you would like more information on the stream cleanup events, contact Tiffany Wright, the City’s Watershed Manager at 301-809-3043. Prince George’s County Public School students can receive service learning hours for participating, and Scouts can receive a Green Bowie patch or year bar.

Clean-up Day Details

Now that you have decided to join us for the stream cleanup, thank you! You may be wondering how the day will go and what you will need to bring, wear, and do. It is a very easy process. This page has all the information you will need to know, but feel free to call 301-809-3043 or email Watershed Manager Tiffany Wright, if you have any questions.

What to wear:
Because you may be working in the woods, on rugged terrain and near/in streams, we recommend boots or sturdy shoes that can get wet. Because of the vegetation along the stream channels, long sleeves and long pants are recommended as well.

Supplies Provided:
We provide all supplies you will need -- gloves, bags, and hand sanitizer. We also usually have a small number of trash grabbers that are available.

What to bring:   

• Release form - You must bring the release form with you. Without the release form, we cannot allow you to participate. Minors must have a parent's or guardian's signature. You can download the release form here. If you forget to bring it that morning, extra forms will be available at your site.
• Student Service Learning (SSL) form - If you or someone you are bringing needs student service learning hours through the Prince George's County School System, please bring a completed copy of the most updated form with you. The leader or staff member at the site will sign the form before you leave.
• Other items - Volunteers have found that bug spray, water, hats, and snacks have been helpful.

Note: This event may involve strenuous physical activity. Participants should be able to climb and otherwise negotiate steep slopes. If you have a medical or other condition that requires accommodation, please contact Tiffany Wright at least 3 weeks before the cleanup to determine if such accommodations can be made.