A vital component of local ecosystems, wetlands are “saturated lands” that function as sponges – collecting and storing excess water to help prevent flooding in local streams, rivers and lakes. A joint initiative of Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful and Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources, Great Gwinnett Wetlands is designed to grow awareness and promote the ongoing stewardship of Gwinnett’s numerous wetlands to prevent a deterioration of their long-term viability due to littering and nonpoint source pollution. Because the water stored in Gwinnett wetlands is often shared with water resources like the Chattahoochee River and the Yellow River, it’s vital to protect these areas. The 8^th Annual Great Gwinnett Wetlands event will be hosted at Bethesda Park in the wetlands that border Lawrenceville’s Sweetwater Creek on Saturday, May 7. To ensure its success, volunteers are being sought to help pick up litter, remove invasive plants and help educate members of the community surrounding this valuable resource.

“We plan to have multiple teams fan out across the area to pick up trash and cut invasive privet that choke the health of the wetlands,” said Schelly Marlatt, Executive Director of Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful. “We will also have teams out to place markers on storm drains and distribute educational door hangers reminding residents that ‘when it rains, it drains.’ Much of the area where the work will be performed is wet and muddy, so we highly recommend our volunteers wear closed-toe shoes like hiking or rain boots along with clothes they won’t mind getting dirty. They should also be sure to bring a snack and water bottle to stay hydrated. This is so much more than a cleanup event, it’s an opportunity for us to have a hand in ensuring this precious landscape within our community remains a viable habitat for an abundance of native plants and local wildlife.”