What a re-LEAF, it’s finally Fall! This month is jam-packed with opportunities to volunteer for clean streams. Learn more about the Catawba Riversweep this weekend, a fun Halloween Cleanup, and important fall tips to help prevent stormwater pollution!
This month, we’d like to highlight the Wild Ones Charlotte Piedmont Chapter for all their work in the Root-For-Rivers program! This group has been caring for the trees planted in the floodplain along Merriman Ave. Their efforts ensure the trees are healthy so they will continue to grow which will help prevent erosion and provide great habitat for wildlife. Thank you for all the work you do!
The Catawba Riversweep
October 3rd, 2026, will be a day when thousands of neighbors come together at dozens of sites from Lake James to Lake Wateree and everywhere in between. It will be a day of hard work, fun, fellowship, and action! Register online for free using the link below and join us at the Campbell Creek cleanup site for an impactful day of volunteering. We can’t wait to see you there!Learn more about our site! Registration may be closed but we’ll take walkups as well!
Halloween Park, Street & Stream Cleanup!
Pollution is Scary! Kick off your Halloween festivities by volunteering with us to keep our streets and streams clean! This Halloween we will be hosting a Trifeca Cleanup at Metropolitan in partnership with Keep Charlotte Beautiful and Park and Recreation. Volunteers can choose their own adventure between litter pickup on Little Sugar Creek, the greenway, or surrounding streets. We’ll also have snacks, candy, and some fun gifts for anyone who wants to show off their Halloween Costume during the cleanup! This is a perfect event for all ages.
Calling All Students!
Community service is often an important part of clubs such as National Honor Society, Beta Club, and IB programs! Volunteering with us is a great way to make an impact in your community while also fulfilling some of the volunteer hours needed to participate in these great organizations. There are many ways to volunteer with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services.
We host at least two volunteer events each month, or you can participate in our other programs such as Adopt-A-Stream, Volunteer Monitoring, Storm Drain Marking, Adopt-A-Drain, and Roots-For-Rivers! Check out our Volunteer Page to learn about how you or your team can get involved or email STW-Volunteers@MeckNC.gov.
Plant People, This One's for You! Creek ReLeaf is Back!
Creek ReLeaf is a collaborative effort of the Charlotte Public Tree Fund, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services, the North Carolina Wildlife Federation, and dedicated volunteers like you to plant hundreds of trees and live stakes in the floodplain. This year, Creek ReLeaf will take place on November 21st from 9AM to 12PM, and volunteers will plant along Long Creek in the Northlake area. Visit the Creek ReLeaf webpage for more info and registration. We will also need help harvesting live stakes for this event at Andrill Terrace on November 11th, 2026, 10 AM- 11 AM.Register for Veterans Day Live Stake Collection.
Fall Tips for Pollution Prevention!
Clear your drains – As leaves begin to fall, it’s important to keep storm drains clear so that rain can flow freely into those drains. This action alone can help prevent blockages that can cause localized flooding.
Mindfully drain your swimming pool - Chlorinated or salt water can harm fish and other wildlife. Before discharging pool water to a storm drain or creek, dechlorinate your water and test it to be sure. Saltwater should never be pumped into a storm drain or waterway.
Help reduce stormwater runoff - Reduce the volume of stormwater runoff by directing downspouts toward planted areas or adding a rain barrel.
