Lodi, CA’s Engage Campaign

CONTEXT

The Water Stewards Program (WSP), as part of the California Conservation Corps, is dedicated to improving watershed health. It actively engages in restoration science, civic service, and community education to empower the next generation of environmental stewards.

Its mission is to conserve, restore, and enhance watersheds by linking education with high-quality scientific practices. The WSP has been operating for 27 years and is a highly productive program for future employment in natural resources.

CHALLENGE

How do you bring a city closer together with multiple stakeholders in the community, especially when some differences must be put aside in order to work together in cooperation to create positive environmental change and prevent litter from reoccurring?

LITTERATI SOLUTION

Using the Litterati app, the WSP corps members created a challenge for their cleanup.

The WSP corps members invited the Delta Fly Fisher and City of Lodi to collect litter with them and install fishing line receptacles along Lodi Lake.

CONCLUSION

Using the app, each participant teamed up and worked together taking photos of litter.

Together they collected approximately 1,100 pieces of litter, with a combined weight of 50 pounds.

Cigarette butts were the most prevalent item found – 309. The most interesting items collected were a large green rubber cartoon character and a single black sandal removed from the lake.

To prevent future litter:

• 4 fishing line receptacles were installed along the lake

• As part of the partnership, the Delta Fly Fishers will regularly monitor and empty the receptacles

• The discarded fishing lines will be sent to a Berkley Fishing to be recycled

For more information, please see the press release from Lodi, California on this event.