Adopt-a-Stream Program from RiverLink Ready for Spring

RiverLink has been  gearing up for the spring rush of Adopt-a-Stream team clean-ups of The French Broad, Swannanoa, and tributaries within the watershed. Thanks to updated GIS information, there are plenty of stream sections mapped out and ready for adoption. To adopt a stream, all you have to do is select your site. Take pride and ownership over streams and rivers by protecting the health and aesthetic value of these beautiful systems flowing through our mountains and townships. Gather your group and join today!

What is Adopt-a-stream?  The Adopt-a-Stream program is a hands-on way for local residents and businesses to get actively involved in improving the water quality of the French Broad River Watershed. This is a very flexible program that gives you the tools and knowledge to make a difference in your watershed by cleaning up your local stream.

What are the requirements?

 -Minimum of 2 cleanups per year

-Report any water related issues/problems to RiverLink

Why Participate?  By participating in a RiverLink Adopt-a-Stream Team, you are improving one of the region's greatest natural resources-our creeks and streams!  Everyday pollutants such as trash, used oil and hydrocarbons, pesticides, fertilizers and yard wastes reach our urban streams. Although some pollutants are easily detected, some go unnoticed without the watchful eye of concerned and involved citizens. Adopt-a-Stream Teams are crucial in protecting our rivers, creeks, and streams and in reporting water pollution problems, making RiverLink's Adopt-a-Stream Program critical to the continued health and vitality of the French Broad River Watershed.

Who Can Participate?  Anyone who is concerned about water quality within the French Broad River watershed can participate! Adopt-a-Stream Teams may include: individuals, communities, families, student organizations, youth and church groups, scout groups, civic organizations, businesses and industries.

How to get Involved:

Step #1

Contact RiverLink's Assistant Volunteer Coordinator, at worth@riverlink.org or (828) 252-8474 ext. 17 to request information and find out which sections of a stream are available for adoption. Please specify if you have a specific stream section or area in mind.

Step #2

After a stream section has been determined, download your Adopt-a-Stream Team Manual complete with Adopt-a-Stream contract, river cleanup reports, and participant waivers. The participating group must complete two river cleanups in order to have their Adopt-a-Stream team sign installed in their adopted section.
Step #3

Prior to each scheduled stream cleanup, volunteers are asked to contact RiverLink at 828-252-8474 ext. 17 or worth@riverlink.org at least 2 weeks in advance to arrange the pick-up of gloves, trash bags, pick up litter sticks and other materials. (The Adopt-a-Stream program asks that volunteers commit to a minimum of two stream cleanups per year).
Step #4

Upon completion of each stream cleanup, volunteers are asked to complete river cleanup reports and turn them back in to the RiverLink office with details such as how many bags of trash collected, how many tires collected, and any strange or interesting items or stories collected along the way.
Step #5

Pat yourself on the back! Thank you for your time and dedication to help protect and improve the water quality of our streams and lakes!

Also ask about Riverlink's Adopt-a-Greenway program. Call Worth McAlister, Assistant Volunteer Coordinator at 828-252-8474 x 17, or email at worth@riverlink.org.