One Cleanup at a Time: Boone County Teens Make a Difference

Taking care of our local environment takes all of us. When 16-year-old Natalie Stow saw an opportunity to make a difference in her own neighborhood, she decided to do something about it.

What started as a simple cleanup ended with an impressive pile of trash, tires and other litter pulled from the South Fork of Gunpowder Creek. Natalie recruited a group of nature loving friends and family to help with the cleanup. Together, they spent the day collecting litter and debris from the creek near their neighborhood.

Six young volunteers pose with a large pile of tires, trash bags, a wheelbarrow and other debris collected during a cleanup of the South Fork of Gunpowder Creek.
From left to right: Owen Ellerbrock, Audrey Stow, Logan Schwartz, Maya Schwartz, Natalie Stow and Seth Ellerbrock show off the impressive amount of trash and debris they pulled from the South Fork of Gunpowder Creek.

For Natalie, organizing the cleanup was a way to do something close to home to help the environment.

“The main reason I feel so inclined to organize things for the benefit of the environment is because of one motto I’ve heard in the past: ‘We only have one Earth. Once it’s gone, we don’t get a second chance.,’” Natalie shares. “Though I am just one person, I want to try my best throughout my life to protect the natural environment in any way I can. This cleanup was one way I felt I could do that.”

A young volunteer rolls a tire along a wooded path during a cleanup of the South Fork of Gunpowder Creek.
Audrey Stow rolls one of the tires collected during the South Fork of Gunpowder Creek cleanup.

Two young volunteers stand beside a discarded tire caught among branches and exposed tree roots during a cleanup of the South Fork of Gunpowder Creek.
Natalie Stow and Seth Ellerbrock work to remove a discarded tire caught among tree roots and debris near the South Fork of Gunpowder Creek.

Seth Ellerbrock and Audrey Stow wade through the South Fork of Gunpowder Creek while looking for litter to collect.

Six young volunteers pose around a large pile of tires, trash bags and other debris collected during a cleanup of the South Fork of Gunpowder Creek.
The whole group shows off the impressive pile of tires, trash and other debris they collected from the South Fork of Gunpowder Creek.

However, pulling the trash out of the creek was only the first step. The group still had to figure out what to do with everything they collected.

That’s where Boone County Solid Waste was able to help. Once the group finished, our team hauled away the bags of litter, tires and other items they collected.

Natalie’s father reached out afterward to thank Ken Points with Solid Waste for the help. He shares, “This is the second time they have done a cleanup. It makes it so much less stressful knowing that I don't need to figure out how to dispose of all this litter.”

Natalie agreed.

“Without the help of Boone County Solid Waste, I would still have a pile of trash bags and other junk sitting in my side yard without any reliable way to get rid of it,” she finishes.

A Boone County Solid Waste truck and trailer arrive at a neighborhood to collect debris from a community cleanup.
After the cleanup, Boone County Solid Waste helped the group properly dispose of the litter, tires and other debris they collected.

How You Can Help Keep Boone County Beautiful
Natalie and her friends saw a need in their neighborhood and stepped up to help. Now, we’re inviting you to do the same.

Whether you want to pick up litter with a few friends or get your school, nonprofit, business or community group involved, there are several ways to help keep Boone County clean, beautiful and litter free.

Trash for Cash
The Trash for Cash program offers eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits a chance to raise money for their organization helping clean County roads. The program runs March 1-October 31, and groups earn $100 for each county centerline-road (meaning both sides) mile cleaned. Schools, youth groups and community organizations can put these funds toward things such as uniforms, equipment, field trips or other educational purposes.

Seize the Street
Looking for a way to help throughout the year? Seize the Street lets businesses, nonprofits, service groups, neighborhood organizations and government entities adopt a County-owned road. Groups commit to at least three cleanups a year, and we provide the supplies you need to get started.

More Ways to Keep Boone County Beautiful
Community cleanups are just one way to help keep Boone County beautiful. You can also recycle everyday items at our Big Blue Bins and take advantage of free recycling events throughout the year. These events give residents a simple way to safely get rid of items that may not belong in your curbside trash, including old documents, tires, holiday lights and real Christmas trees. No matter how you choose to get involved, every cleanup helps us take better care of the community we love.

Ready to help keep Boone County beautiful? Learn more about our cleanup programs and events!

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One Cleanup at a Time: Boone County Teens Make a Difference

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