September 15th Cleanup!

Hello everyone,

Over 500 volunteers turned out on an unseasonably cold September 15th for Riverkeeper's Autumn Beach Sweep. The pictures from above are students at Old Bailey Peninsula on the Buffalo River, our new dolphin mascot found along Ellicott Creek in Williamsville, tires at Ohio St. Boat Launch, Jim Metzger with a shopping cart at Squaw Island, Houghton College honors students at the mouth of Scajaquada Creek, and volunteers along Cayuga Creek in Lancaster, respectively. Over 18 miles of shoreline were cleaned in one day and several tons of trash removed. Among the strangest items found were an inflatable pink dolphin along Ellicott Creek in Williamsville and a toilet along the Buffalo River on Old Bailey Peninsula. All volunteers received an environmentally friendly t-shirt designed by Buffalo's own Planet Love.

Thanks to all who participated! We appreciate your stewardship of your waterways!

Boston!!!!

To the Riverkeepers- My adventure in Boston has finally begun! It was hard to make the transition, but I am beginning to really love it here. As I was walking in Back Bay, I stumbled on this plaque, and started to clap my hands in excitement. It reminded me of BNR's efforts to stencil the streets of Buffalo and WNY. There were many of these plaques around the area, it seems that Back Bay was a landfill? Well, thats it for now! Go Riverkeeper Go!

Scajaquada Paddlers Go Up the Creek Again

This past Saturday nine boats and 13 paddlers turned out on Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper's third Eco-tour of the season on Scajaquada Creek. Participants ranged from recreational canoe-ists to professionially outfitted kayakers, led by the Riverkeepers' Larry Brooks and Robbyn Drake, and neighborhood guides Tom Hryvniak and Mark Kubiniec.
On the positive side the bucolic morning paddle was highlighted by sights including a green heron, several great blue herons, black-crowned night herons, schools of bass, tons of dragon and damsel flies, and a beaver den.
On the negative side therewas lots of graffiti on the newly refurbished concrete highway piers, seven Tops shopping carts by West Avenue; and six shopping carts, machinery and several
55 gallon drums embedded in the water. At three points between Grant and West Aves the Creek was nearly non-navigable due to tree trunks across the Creek. There are two very shallow points near the Grant Street Bridge where several of boats bottomed out. The finger dam at the foot of Peter Street is once again nearly stopped up by debris and has created a stagnant stinking pool above the dam.
The signs of life in the Creek are encouraging, and the recreational paddle is truly an eye-opeing urban waterfront experience. Future paddles and hikes are being planned by Riverkeeper and the Scajaquada Canoe Club to take place in 2008.
Riverkeeper's next event is the Autumn Sweep on Saturday September 15th, held once again in conjunction with the Grant Amherst Business Association. The clean-up meets at the American Legion Post on Amherst Street at 9AM. All are welcome to help support the cleaning up and redevelopment of Scajaquada Creek.