Earth Day
Driven by the County Commission's Guiding Vision, everyday is Earth Day in Alachua County. In April, each day leading up to Earth Day (today), the County has been highlighting programs, services, and strategies designed to lead Alachua County into a more sustainable future.
To view all "Earth Day Countdown" press releases on the County's Facebook page, click here and click on the Earth Day tab at the top of the page.
ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - Alachua County employees are celebrating Earth Day with a creek cleanup at Sweetwater Branch near downtown Gainesville on this afternoon, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. County employees have been invited to join this creek cleanup to remove trash and debris from a stretch of Sweetwater Branch south and downstream of East University Avenue.
Sweetwater Branch is one of Alachua County's most urbanized watersheds, draining portions of downtown Gainesville and older residential areas, including the Historic Duckpond neighborhood. Much of these areas were built before current requirements for stormwater treatment facilities. When it rains, Sweetwater Branch creek receives a large amount of untreated stormwater runoff, including trash and debris from city streets, parking lots, residential and commercial areas. After leaving Gainesville, Sweetwater Branch flows through the Alachua County Forever Sweetwater Preserve and eventually drains into the area's primary source of drinking water, the Floridan Aquifer, via Alachua Sink at Paynes Prairie State Park.
"This creek cleanup is a hands on opportunity for Alachua County employees to help celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Many of today's environmental challenges can seem overwhelming, but there are practical things we can do in our own community to make things better," said Chris Bird, Alachua County Environmental Protection Director.
For more information, contact Chris Bird at 352-264-6801.
40 Days of Change - For more information concerning events on and leading up to Earth Day, go to the University of Florida, Office of Sustainability's "40 Days of Change" website by clicking here.