Buffalo Creek Clean Up

Well, where do I start? Here's the letter I sent to the local conservation crew, RACC (Rockbridge Area Conservation Crew). Below that are my listed ideas for the project. Below that is the replied email from RACC's executive director. Below THAT is the email from the board member who is leading the planning for this year's community clean-up. Hi, My name is Katrina Broughman and I'm from Glasgow. I have just recently started volunteering at Boxerwood Gardens in Lexington, where I inquired about organizing a clean-up day or two near my home. I live on Forge Road (608) coming away from Buena Vista towards Glasgow and Natural Bridge. Buffalo Creek is less than a mile from my home, which is where I would mainly like to clean up. If I could, I would gather a trashbag and a poker and clean up the trash myself, but there is just so much that I'm afraid I won't be able to. Buffalo Creek has been a part of my life ever since I first moved here, which was about 13 years ago. It was my playground, my swimming pool, and my social life when I was a child. I was taking a walk down through the creek just the other day, and noticed how much the area has been mistreated. The water level is extremely low, the land has been overgrown with invasive species and weeds, there is trash everywhere (even where there are trash cans), and there are even some tires in the water! I really want to be able to schedule a clean up as soon as possible, because once spring comes, the invasive species and weeds will flourish even more than they have now. Clean up at Buffalo Creek really needs to happen during the colder months, where there is less possibility of being bitten by a snake or not being able to reach certain areas due to the tall grass. Leaves need to be raked, trash needs to be picked up, the water needs to be cleaned, weeds need to be pulled... there is so much work that needs to be done! With your organization's help, we can make this happen. My check is in the mail for becoming a member of RACC. Thank you for your time. I hope to hear from you soon. --------------------------- Ideas For: BUFFALO CREEK ECOLOGY PROJECT 1.organize small group and walk along the road, picking up trash and litter - make sure that even if you see trash farther away from the road, to get it as well 2.pick up trash around the "main attractions" of the creek- bonfire area, swimming hole, parking areas 3.find someone who is good at classifying plants' and weeds' differences, and classify all of the plants at Buffalo Creek 4.weed out the main areas of the creek 5.use the house as a meeting area - 1876 bunker hill mill road - notify owner, if there is one, that you would like to meet with your organization at that area (in case there is bad weather or something related to that) --------------------- Hi Katrina - Hello and welcome! I am sending a copy of this message to RACC Board Member Mollie Messimer who is leading the planning for this year's community clean-up so she can keep in touch with you directly about your wonderful Buffalo Creek initiative! In the past we have sometimes been able to direct volunteers who sign up for the Annual Clean-up to a special project - perhaps this would be a good one to suggest? The Clean-up is traditionally on the last Saturday in March to get the best balance of decent weather and minimal vegetative cover. This year that is March 29. Would you be interested in meeting to discuss further plans? Thanks! -Barbara ----------------------------- Hi Katrina, I’m in charge of this year’s annual RACC Cleanup scheduled for March 29. What we can do to help with your project is limited by the response of volunteer citizens and college students. I will do my best. Realistically, this will probably mean one 2-3 hour effort focused on the trash problem. Most volunteers will work on March 29, but VMI cadets may be available to work on your project one of the days they have “field training exercises” (March 31, April 1). Weather is a variable that will affect the effort. I say all this to temper your expectations to the reality of the RACC Cleanup situation. Would you like to join the committee making plans for the Cleanup? Mollie -------- I said yes.