This winter, the Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance is challenging residents to tackle litter in the Fox-Wolf river basin. In addition to being an eyesore, litter contributes to water quality problems in rivers and lakes. Litter has become such an issue that, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, over 200 individual water bodies in the United States have been considered by to be impaired due to trash since 1996. Decaying debris decreases oxygen levels in water and can produce toxic chemicals. Contaminants from trash can inhibit plant growth, pollute nearby soil, kill aquatic life, contribute to toxic algal blooms, and even enter the human body through consumption of affected animals and drinking water, causing serious illness. In addition to harming the ecosystem services humans use, trash can impede waterway navigation, disrupt recreational and commercial fishing, and threaten the safety of water users; all of which can destroy economies that rely on tourism.

Most plastics and other man-made pollutants don’t enter waterways directly through littering into lakes and rivers. Much of the garbage we see on land makes its way to aquatic systems through storm drains and drainage ditches. Remember, water that enters storm drains isn’t treated before discharging into local surface water, meaning toxins and dangerous materials are never removed and may end up in the stomach of fish and birds or even washed up on public beaches. Trash that is too large to move through ditches or drains can block stormwater flow cause flooding, damaging homes and businesses.

To reduce the harm of litter on the rivers and lakes in the region, Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance is asking citizens to help us reach our goal of picking up 2,000 pieces of litter throughout the basin this winter. To track our progress, Fox-Wolf encourages participants to use the free Litterati app, which allows users to identify types of litter and map cleanup locations. The Litterati database acts as a collection of visual proof of trash pollution issues in specific locations and has even been used to hold companies and brands accountable for contributions to litter in communities. The mapping element also offers a great way for municipalities to track public engagement in cleanup efforts.

Click the image to the right to enlarge instructions on how to join the Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance cleanup challenge on Litterati.