Erik Wittry, front left, Sarah Al-Ahmed, front right, and other Hollister students cleaned trash out of the San Benito River March 3.

Volunteers polish San Benito waterway over weekend
After weeks of rain and close-to-freezing nights, the sun came
out for the San Benito Riverbed Project clean up March 3. Jim
Ostdick, an earth science teacher at San Benito High School and his
students took the lead on the clean up day that drew more than 400
volunteers.
Volunteers polish San Benito waterway over weekend After weeks of rain and close-to-freezing nights, the sun came out for the San Benito Riverbed Project clean up March 3. Jim Ostdick, an earth science teacher at San Benito High School and his students took the lead on the clean up day that drew more than 400 volunteers.

In past years, high school students had participated in a county sponsored clean up for Earth Day, but Ostdick applied for a grant from the Baler Education Foundation to run three other clean up days this year. Volunteers gathered at the Nash Road crossing of the San Benito River – a place close enough for some students to walk and a safe place to climb down into the riverbed.

“With a little bit of money, we were able to have three clean up events so far,” Ostdick said. “One in September, one in December and this one in March.”

The grant money has been used to buy gloves, trash bags and other materials for the clean up.

“The idea was to provide a community service organization for our students and to get community volunteers as well,” Ostdick said.

The San Benito County Water District and the San Benito County Integrated Waste Management helped get the word out about each clean up and also had some staff volunteers at some events.

“When there is actually water flowing in the river, it’s nice not to have trash floating in it,” said a water district employee, who could not give her name per office policy.

She added that the cleanup does help the community and environment.

For Ostdick, the project is about more than just pulling trash out of the riverbed.

“Lots of state standards can be supported and some of the things we are trying to teach [in the classroom],” Ostdick said.

The students who participate in the cleanup learn about water sampling, stream flow measurement and sedimentology. They are familiarized with fields that employ earth sciences such as geology and hydrology

The cleanup also requires a lot of problem solving. While some volunteers picked up paper litter, plastics and small metals, others were charged with removing heftier items.

“They have to work together to figure out how we are going to get a refrigerator a half mile up [the river],” Ostdick said.

The largest items during the recent event included refrigerators, clothes dryers, hot water heaters and bedsprings. Tires were also a common finding.

“There was a mountain of trash over there,” Ostdick said. “The trash pile was as big as my classroom.”

Integrated Waste Management staff picked up the items pulled out of the river in the days following the cleanup.

“We were trying to focus on metal and plastics – things that break down and contribute to the pollution of the water system,” Ostdick said. “We try to make the connection between the carbon cycle and nitrogen – all the key elements from their earth science curriculum.”

Many of the students have participated in all three of the clean ups. Some do it for extra credit, but others do it for the fun, according to Ostdick.

“The word is kind of spreading with the students that it is fun,” Ostdick said. “They seem to really enjoy it. We’ve had a lot of repeat customers.”

For the students most interested in earth science and who have participated in at least two clean ups, Ostdick is working to launch a summer internship program called the Baler Riverbed Partners. Interested students will sign up for three one-hour seminars in the next three months. The plan is to find the students internships for the summer that will use the knowledge they have gained in class. Ostdick is still looking for private or public organizations to partner with him.

The next riverbed clean up will roughly coincide with Earth Day in late April. Details will be available at a later date.

Melissa Flores can be reached at [email protected].

Don’t just dump it

Hefty items such as refrigerators, tires, and other items can be expensive when taken to a landfill – but many items can be recycled and some will even bring in some money.

– Refrigerators, freezers and ac units – PG&E will pick up old refrigerators or freezers and give you $35 for them or $25 for ac units. Visit www.pge.com/foryourhome or call 800-933-9555 for more information.

– Cell phones – Many charities accept cell phone donations as well as electronics stores such as Radio Shack. Visit www.recycleforcalifornia.com for more locations.

– Tires – Many auto mechanic shops will take used tires and places such as West Coast Rubber Recycling, Inc. in Hollister turn the pieces into playground equipment or racetracks.

– Washers, dryers, large appliances – Many repair shops will accept old appliances for repair and resale.

For more information on San Benito County recycling, visit www.san-benito.ca.us/departments/iwm/recycling.htm.

Previous articleEagles Soar Over Hawks
Next articleCounty STD Numbers Below Average
A staff member wrote, edited or posted this article, which may include information provided by one or more third parties.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here