The Environmental Education and Sustainability department invites city-wide participation in the Fall 2014 Keep it Clean Street or Stream litter cleanup event Oct. 11 from 9 a.m.–noon.





Cleanup opportunities are scheduled year-round, but fall is reserved for Plano creeks when litter most often flows down storm drains directly into the creeks, said Autumn Natalie, environmental education coordinator.





The litter cleanup process not only helps beautify Plano but Natalie said the process also restores areas for wildlife and maintains a high level of water quality.





"Our creeks lead to our reservoir for drinking water, so it's important to remove contaminants before it gets to the lakes," Natalie said.





Anyone in the city, including businesses, schools and individuals, are invited to help the creek cleanup effort, which the city has participated in for 29 years, Natalie said. The city supplies trash bags, gloves, vests and pickup sticks to all volunteer groups.





"Participating in a creek or park cleanup will change the way you look at trash. This is a huge issue that usually goes unnoticed by most residents," she said. "Once you spend an hour or two picking up several hundred pieces of litter, you'll never be able to walk past an area without noticing litter again."





There will be a volunteer cleanup celebration and block party following the event from 4–6:30 p.m. at Cross Bend Church, 901 Cross Bend Road.