Stream-Clean Up
Join Us for Clean-Up Day!
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It's that time of year again to gear up and clean up the waterways in Sterling. These waterways directly impact our local eco systems as well as the ecosystems of the Chesapeake Bay where all the water flows to in the end. Help us this year with cleaning up the trash in our little streams and waterways in Sterling, VA.
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Help make our community a cleaner, greener place by volunteering to help pick up litter.
Make a difference in your community by volunteering to help keep our environment clean and green!
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Where: We’ll meet in the old Big Lots parking lot before dispersing into teams to clean up various streams in the area.
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Time: Sign In 8:30 am to 9:30 am.
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✅ Everyone participating must Register: https://signup.com/go/MzxqeuV
✅ Everyone participating must complete and sign a Waiver:
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Fill Out and Submit the Online Waiver
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Print Out Waiver, Sign, and Bring with You: The Sterling Foundation • Volunteer Waiver
✅ Note: Minors must be accompanied by an adult​.
👕 Dress for Success – Wear long pants, long sleeves, and boots.
💧 Stay Hydrated – Bring a refillable water bottle.
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Other Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Let's work together for a cleaner, healthier community!
Why should I Register online?
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In short, registering online will save you time at the sign-in table. Later, it will save us time trying to decipher handwritten names and emails to send you a cleanup report. Besides providing the organizers a sense of the interest in the event, if weather becomes an issue, you will be alerted via email with updates.
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For further questions contact our stream captain at
chair@sterlingfoundation.org
FAQs
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When Can I Come?
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Sign In 8:30 am to 9:30 am.
If you aren’t able to make it then, look for our team at the location and you can join them anytime!
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What Should I Bring?
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Wear rubber boots, or closed-toed shoes you can get wet.
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Clothes you can get dirty and protect from poison ivy – lightweight long pants and long sleeves are highly recommended.
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Be sure to bring work gloves as well!
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Sunblock and bug spray.
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Bring a reusable water bottle or a hydration backpack and plan to re-fill throughout the day.
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Read up on what poison ivy looks like.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why are cleanup events so important? Because not only is litter disgusting to look at, litter pollutes the planet where we all live and harms innocent wildlife. Plastic is especially harmful to every living creature since it photo-degrades over time, resulting in microscopic plastic particles that basically pollute our environment with toxins forever. When litter reaches the oceans, it gets stuck in giant swirling gyres, contaminating the oceans, the sea life that eats it or gets tangled in it, and the greater food chain (including us humans). Litter cleanup events help to rid the planet from these harmful products, and cleanup events where recycling is a priority (like the CTB), the litter is converted to useful products, saving natural resources and energy.
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When can I come? Check in as 8:45am. If you aren’t able to make it then, look for our team on the Boulevard and you can join them anytime!
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What should I bring? Wear rubber boots, or closed-toed shoes you can get wet. Clothes you can get dirty – lightweight long pants and long sleeves are recommended. Read up on what poison ivy looks like. Sunblock and bug spray. Make sure you bring a water bottle! Or, if you prefer, bring a hydration backpack and plan to re-fill throughout the day. Be sure to bring work gloves as well!
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Can the whole family help? Yes, kids can clean up. Actually, you’re our best volunteers! Each child 10 and under must have an adult to supervise them at all times. Groups of children between 10-18 years old should have an adult group supervisor to sign the waiver for them, with an adult-child ratio as approved by their school, youth group, or organization. Kids 16-18 can attend with a signed adult contact waiver and should ask at the registration table to complete that paperwork then be assigned to an adult supervisor if they wish to participate.
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Can those with mobility issues help? We will try our best to accomodate all needs. The Boulevard is long, and has lots of opportunities to fit various mobility needs.
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Is there a restroom? No, but there are plenty of local businesses along the way that have restrooms available!
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Can I keep someting I find? As long as you’re not grabbing something from private property, if you find something that can be reused or repurposed, then feel free to take it home. Reusing is better than Recycling or tossing away.
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When is the rain date used? Since we know our volunteers prefer to plan ahead and fit the cleanup into their busy schedules, we really don’t want to postpone the cleanup just because the weather is less than perfect. So unless severe weather is in the vicinity (hail, snow, thunderstorms, tornados, hurricanes, SNOW, etc.), we’ll hold the event as scheduled. A little bit of drizzle or cold temperatures won’t spoil our mission, right? You just need to plan ahead and dress for the conditions.
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Does this count towards community service time? Yes! Get your form and any sign-in and sign-out completed at the registration table on the day. We are a registered local non-profit and your efforts will benefit our environment and community.