GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) - A group of Calvin College volunteers is getting thousands of dollars to clean up Plaster Creek. River Network, Groundwork USA, and the EPA awarded the Plaster Creek Stewards more than $59,000 to restore the watershed.
Thursday, volunteers began planting trees along a tributary to the creek to prevent erosion.
"Our hope is by having these plants here, these trees here, it will absorb more rainwater and prevent erosion along plaster creek, which will ultimately prevent more flooding that's happening every spring and sometimes in the summer too," said Gail Heffner, Calvin College Director of Community Management. "Caring for this watershed, is something that all of us can do, no matter where we live in the watershed. All of us need to take care of the watershed, it's a valuable resource for the community."
The project manager says 112 organizations nationwide applied for the grant.