August 24, 2019, 8:00 am - Big River, Byrnes Mill City Park
You are invited to attend the 52ND Annual Operation Clean Stream (OCS). Come join the Trashmanian Devils (Missouri Stream Team #3797) and other Stream Teams as we participate in the largest and oldest stream cleanup in the nation. Our site has the largest OCS volunteer participation on the Big River. The last few years have seen an enthusiastic volunteer commitment. If you are uncertain about helping (perhaps you do not think this is for you) come anyway and have lunch. Witness firsthand the effect that our dedicated work force can have on restoring this beautiful stream to a more natural state. We have a great time doing so. Do not neglect to get the youth involved. Our streams will one day be in their care! For those who use our streams, this cleanup provides an awesome opportunity to “give back” to their care and preservation. In the past few years we have had historic flooding. With luck the water levels will subside, and conditions will look good for a “bumper crop” of removable trash along with safe conditions for volunteers.
We will start the day with donuts, juice and milk. If you want coffee bring your own. OCS volunteers work hard, and they play hard. By noon we will have completed our cleanup and adjourn to lunch. Pizza and other food will be provided by the generous donation of local restaurants along with soda and bottled water. If you go away hungry it will be your own fault! This is a great opportunity to socialize with your stream cleaning friends from the past and an opportunity to make new friends of the future.
Once again, this year Leinenkugel Beer made the request to partner with us on our cleanup. Leinenkugel has been involved with promoting clean waterways (Canoes for a Cause) in their home state of Wisconsin for numerous years. Six years ago, they began a push into the mid-west promoting their program with our site being the first in the state of Missouri to partner with them. Leinenkugel has been quite generous with their donations and trade giveaways by means of the raffle items they have provided us. Note that alcohol will not be consumed during our cleanup to ensure the safety of our volunteers and to abide by the regulations of the park.
As always, after lunch we will have attendance and pay raffles. You may wish to participate in the pay raffle and help support our cleanup, which will be greatly appreciated. Our meeting place will be at the park shelter (covered, shaded and complete with picnic tables). If needed box fans will be on hand to cool our folks down. Running water restrooms are conveniently located near the pavilion. All the comforts of home!
Volunteers wanting to bring their own watercraft are welcome to do so. It is recommended that sturdy footwear be worn during this cleanup. Beach wear such as flip flops and sandals are discouraged. Remember your sunscreen and hat. Bring a change of clothes, we get dirty! If you are interested in the pay raffle, remember to bring some “folding money”.
Work gloves, trash bags and OCS t-shirts will be provided. Several canoes will be on hand for cleanup duty. If you are interested in manning one of these canoes, please reserve by mention of the contact information listed below.
IF ATTENDING PLEASE NOTIFY so that you can be placed on the volunteer list, reserve a canoe, or relay your t-shirt size. Cancellations are always a possibility due to adverse weather, a high-water event, etc.… and your contact information will be essential for notification.
If you have any questions about OCS, contact Scott Darrough at 314-560-1335 or swdarrough@yahoo.com