Haywood Waterways Association
Adopt a Stream
Adopt-A-Stream Program
In 2009 Haywood Waterways Association started an Adopt-A-Stream program to help clean up Haywood County Rivers and streams. It is estimated that 70% of the pollution in our waterways was carried there by stormwater runoff. Trash makes its way into the streams through stormwater runoff from parking lots, being tossed out of car windows, or directly dumped into the streams. Trash can obstruct drains and cause flooding, clog water intake pipes used for industry, and affect recreational uses, such as fishing, swimming, and paddling. Much of the trash found in the streams can take hundreds of years to decompose, and some will never disappear. Unless removed, the trash can eventually find its way to the ocean.
Haywood Waterways continues to look for individuals and groups that enjoy working outdoors, helping the environment, and want to make a difference locally to adopt a section of stream for the purpose of removing litter. We invite local businesses, civic organizations, nonprofit groups, academic institutions and individuals to join. The basic requirements are; the adopting group must clean their adopted stream section at least once a year and commit to the adopted stream section for at least two years. Each adopted stream will receive an Adopt-A-Stream sign free of charge. For more information you can contact Christine at Christine.haywoodwaterways@gmail.com or you can download forms and general information by clicking on pdf link below map. Get to know the groups who have adopted streams. Click on the map to see which streams have been adopted.
View HWA Adopt-A-Stream Initiative in a larger map
To start the Adopt-A-Stream process fill out the application (pdf).
Contact Christine O'Brien to join this important local effort.
Adopt a Stream
Adopt-A-Stream Program
In 2009 Haywood Waterways Association started an Adopt-A-Stream program to help clean up Haywood County Rivers and streams. It is estimated that 70% of the pollution in our waterways was carried there by stormwater runoff. Trash makes its way into the streams through stormwater runoff from parking lots, being tossed out of car windows, or directly dumped into the streams. Trash can obstruct drains and cause flooding, clog water intake pipes used for industry, and affect recreational uses, such as fishing, swimming, and paddling. Much of the trash found in the streams can take hundreds of years to decompose, and some will never disappear. Unless removed, the trash can eventually find its way to the ocean.
Haywood Waterways continues to look for individuals and groups that enjoy working outdoors, helping the environment, and want to make a difference locally to adopt a section of stream for the purpose of removing litter. We invite local businesses, civic organizations, nonprofit groups, academic institutions and individuals to join. The basic requirements are; the adopting group must clean their adopted stream section at least once a year and commit to the adopted stream section for at least two years. Each adopted stream will receive an Adopt-A-Stream sign free of charge. For more information you can contact Christine at Christine.haywoodwaterways@gmail.com or you can download forms and general information by clicking on pdf link below map. Get to know the groups who have adopted streams. Click on the map to see which streams have been adopted.
View HWA Adopt-A-Stream Initiative in a larger map