As winter reluctantly fades away, a different type of spring cleaning will be taking place in in the area over the coming weeks.  The Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association will be holding its fifth Annual Stream Cleanups the weekends of April 2-3 and 9-10. Volunteers from 10 towns and four counties will be getting dirty to help keep local lakes, rivers and streams clean and healthy. 

"We try to get as many people as we can out to help keep our waterways clean and healthy," said Watershed Communications Director Gwen McNamara.  "The best way to do that is to pickup all of the people pollution, litter and trash that finds its way from the roadside into storm drains and then ends up on the banks and in our waterways."

The people pollution has a negative impact on the health of aquatic life and the quality of local waterways throughout central New Jersey, according to the Watershed Association’s “State of the Watershed Report.”

The report combines water quality, environmental policy and land use analysis, the illustrate details on the condition of water and what steps need to be taken in order to make a difference, according to the Watershed Association. 

“Central Jersey’s water is in trouble,” said Leslie Brecknell, Community Advocacy Coordinator for the association. “Even the smallest action can make a big difference. Our annual stream cleanups are just one way we can all chip in to help keep our water clean and healthy.”

More than 329 volunteers gathered 8,993 pounds of trash from area waterways during last year's cleanup. Since its inception, the cleanups have removed more than 15 tons of trash from local streams and rivers, according to the Association. This year, the Watershed Association is partnering with municipal and environmental leaders in 10 towns across Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth and Somerset counties. 

The cleanup in South Brunswick is scheduled for April 10 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.  The Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association and local volunteers will meet at the Noor-UL-Iman School at 4214 Route 1 in Monmouth Junction to clean up the Heathcote Brook area. Parking will be at the school, with overflow parking in the Target parking lot. 

"We're going to meet there, get everyone together and share who we are and why we're doing this," McNamara said.  "We'll hand out trash bags and gloves and get people out there to clean up the trash.  It really is a fun event, everyone gets a free t-shirt and it's a great way to get out there in your hometown and make a difference."

Last year volunteers removed 332 pounds of trash in South Brunswick from behind the Ashley Furniture store on Black Horse Lane.   

To volunteer, contact Watershed Association Community Advocacy Coordinator Leslie Brecknell at 609-737-3735 ext. 30 or email lbrecknell@thewatershed.org. Volunteers should wear boots and long sleeves, bring a water bottle and work gloves if they have them. t-shirts are provided as well as in-kind refreshments from Whole Foods Market. To learn more visit: www.thewatershed.org.

"We're really looking forward to building up participation in South Brunswick," McNamara said.  "We're hoping for some good and sunny weather.  It's a fun time to get outside with friends, meet some other people from the community and make a difference in South Brunswick all at the same time."