Aquetong Watershed cleanup draws volunteers and strengthens environmental stewardship

Under clear spring skies on Saturday, April 4, more than three dozen volunteers gathered at Honey Hollow Nature Center with the shared goal of cleaning and protecting the waterways that define their community. The annual Aquetong Watershed cleanup, hosted by the Aquetong Watershed Association (AWA), brought together 35 volunteers of all ages for what turned out to be one of the organization’s most successful efforts in recent years.

“It was a great turnout; one of our best,” said Jade Greene, one of AWA’s directors and chair of biological monitoring. “We had kids as young as five all the way up to seniors, high school students from New Hope-Solebury High School, families, and even someone who comes out every year from Philadelphia just to help. It was a really wonderful mix of people.”

After a brief orientation and safety overview, volunteers were given gloves, safety vests, and trash bags, provided by Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, before heading out to assigned cleanup locations throughout Solebury Township and New Hope. Over the next three hours, they spread out along roadsides, wooded areas, and safe access points near waterways, many discovering that what appeared to be lightly littered areas were hiding far more debris than expected.

“You might see one or two pieces of trash when you drive by,” Greene explained, “but once you stop and really look, you realize that for every one bottle, there are probably ten more nearby.”

By the end of the morning, volunteers had removed a wide array of waste, from the expected to the surprising. Plastic bottles and glass containers were among the most common finds, along with cigarette butts and roadside debris. But some discoveries stood out.

“We found three tires, car bumpers, political signs, and our most unique find was a car battery,” Greene said. “That was especially important to remove because it could leak lead and other heavy metals into the environment.”

In one location that had never been cleaned before, volunteers uncovered what Greene described as “legacy trash”, older bottles and cans that had likely been sitting undisturbed for years. That site is now completely cleared.

“It was really satisfying to see that transformation,” she said.

While the volume of trash was discouraging, Greene noted that there have been signs of progress. In particular, she pointed to a noticeable reduction in plastic bags, which she attributes to a local policy change.

“Solebury Township has banned plastic bags, and we’ve seen a significant, tangible decrease in them during our cleanups,” she said. “That’s been really encouraging. New Hope is working on a similar ordinance, so we’re hopeful that trend will continue.”

Beyond the immediate impact of removing litter, the cleanup serves a larger purpose tied directly to the health of the watershed. A watershed, Greene explained, is the area of land where all water drains to a common point; in this case, the Aquetong Creek and ultimately the Delaware River.

“Whatever we put on the land will end up in our water,” she said. “If it rains and there’s a cigarette butt or a plastic bottle on the ground, it’s going to make its way into our creeks and water bodies.”

Once in the water, that pollution can have serious consequences. Wildlife may ingest plastic or become entangled in debris, while harmful substances can negatively impact water quality. These impacts extend beyond ecosystems to human health as well.

“Our own water comes from the watershed,” Greene noted. “If we have a lot of plastics and pollutants, they can make their way into our water supply.”

That connection between land, water, and community is at the heart of AWA’s mission: to conserve, preserve, and protect the natural resources of the Aquetong Watershed. The annual cleanup is one of the organization’s most visible efforts, but it is far from its only initiative.

AWA is entirely volunteer-run, from its board of directors to its event coordinators. That grassroots structure, Greene said, makes community engagement essential.

“Volunteers are vital to our organization,” she said. “Everything we do depends on people showing up, contributing ideas, and working together to protect the watershed.”

Throughout the year, AWA organizes a range of activities designed to support that mission. These include native plant and tree plantings, educational programs,  awarding an annual Malcolm P. Crooks Scholarship to seniors at the New Hope-Solebury High School, and invasive species removal efforts such as a garlic mustard pull that took place April 25 at Aquetong Spring Park.

“Garlic mustard is a very invasive plant, but it’s easy to remove by hand,” Greene said. “Events like that are another great way for people to get involved and make a difference.”

In addition to hands-on projects, AWA plays a critical role in monitoring the health of the watershed. Volunteers conduct assessments at multiple sites twice a year, tracking conditions from the headwaters at Aquetong Spring Park downstream into New Hope.

“This gives us baseline data so we can understand what a healthy watershed looks like,” Greene explained. “If we notice changes, whether from development, stormwater issues, or invasive species, we can respond with best practices and work with the community to address them.”

That monitoring function also supports AWA’s role as an environmental advocate. The organization reviews proposed development plans, encourages sustainable practices, and works to ensure that sensitive areas like stream corridors and riparian buffers are protected.

“We position ourselves as a watchdog,” Greene said. “We advocate for keeping these areas as natural and vegetated as possible, because that’s what protects water quality in the long term.”

Despite ongoing challenges such as stormwater management and potential development pressures, Greene emphasized that the watershed is currently in good condition.

“We’re really lucky to have such a healthy watershed,” she said. “And that’s directly because of activities like this cleanup and the active role our community takes in protecting it.”

For many volunteers, the cleanup offers more than just an opportunity to improve the environment; it provides a sense of connection in an increasingly digital world.

“People have a need to get out, to be part of something, and to connect with others,” Greene said. “We’re on our phones so much, and this is a chance to step away, be in nature, and do something meaningful together.”

That sense of shared purpose was evident throughout the morning of April’s cleanup, as families worked side by side and new residents joined longtime participants in caring for their surroundings.

“There’s just so much love for this community and its environment,” Greene said. “People really care about making it a beautiful, clean place for everyone, both people and wildlife.”

Looking ahead, AWA hopes to continue building that momentum by expanding its outreach, growing its volunteer base, and increasing awareness of environmental issues at the local level.

“My main message is that we can make a difference in our local communities,” Greene said. “Sometimes the world feels overwhelming, but when we come together in our own backyard, we can create real, positive change.”

For more information about upcoming events and volunteer opportunities, visit the Aquetong Watershed Association’s website at www.aquetongwatershed.org/.