Ripple: The Center for Education and Ecosystem Studies, leads Butte students in extensive community cleanup efforts
More than 520 students participated in a community cleanup around their schools in Butte in the last two weeks of May and into June. The cleanup was led by Ripple: The Center for Education and Ecosystem Studies, a research and education center at Montana Technological University, formerly known as the Clark Fork Watershed Education Program (CFWEP).
The cleanup collected more than 194 bags of trash in efforts around West Elementary, Butte High Career Center, Butte Central Elementary, Margaret Leary, Emerson Elementary, East Middle School, Kennedy, and Whittier.
At each cleanup, students were armed with trash grabbers and bags, reflective vests, and gloves. They were turned loose for two hours around their school to pick up roadside garbage, with the caveat that they would alert an adult to any glass or hazardous materials that needed special attention.
One group cleaned up the headwaters of Silver Bow Creek and filled 10 bags during their 2-hour session.
“We could have stayed there all day, because there was that much trash,” said Ripple’s. Executive Director, Rayelynn Brandl.
Students were rewarded with pizza after their cleanups. Ripple has collaborated with local schools for many years to clean up Butte. Clean Up Blacktail Stream (CUBS) Day was created in 2013 by Lou Parrett, and eventually Ripple took it over, and also focused on Father Sheehan Park. Over the years, efforts expanded as more students and schools participated.
“We still work on Blacktail Stream and go to Silver Bow Creek,” Brandl said.
The tons of trash removed are important, but there are multiple benefits for the students.
“It teaches our students volunteerism, and allows them also to see the impact they can have on their community in regards to keeping it clean, and having pride in where they live,” said Brett Ueland, a 6th grade teacher at Kennedy Elementary.
Ripple would like to thank the following sponsors for making this year’s clean-up possible: Steele’s Furniture, Pizza Ranch, Murdoch’s, TrueValue Hardware, Ace Hardware, Triple S Building Center, Walmart, and Butte-Silver Bow Parks & Rec Department.