The Akron Zoo recently hosted a river clean-up in Akron. Volunteers picked up trash along a stretch of the Little Cuyahoga River near the Mustill Store, collecting approximately 200 pounds of trash. 

The clean-up focused on an area of river that drains into the Cuyahoga River and is commonly littered. This trash has a damaging impact on the ecosystem and the wildlife that lives there.   

During the event, volunteers learned more about how daily habitats can impact the health of the local watershed and how local wildlife, such as turtles and freshwater mussels, depends on it. The Akron Zoo is a partner in the American Turtle SAFE and North American Freshwater Mussel SAFE programs. SAFE stands from Saving Animals From Extinction, a conservation program that combines the expertise of zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to help save endangered species.

The zoo partnered with the City of Akron Watershed Division, Summit Metro Parks, Summit Soil and Water Conservation District and River Guardians. Keep Akron Beautiful provided trash collection supplies.  

The Akron Zoo River Clean-Up was made possible through a ‘Party for the Planet’ grant from AZA.