One of the most fun ways to help out Mother Nature is with the annual Creek Clean-up event.

Editorial is the opinion of Morgan Hill Life

As the summer comes to a close this month and fall brings its own beauty with the changing of the seasons, we encourage residents to think about the Earth and how we can all be part of a team that helps to contribute to protecting the planet for future generations. The South Valley offers several ways to do that in September.

We hope everyone decides to participate in the 18th Annual Second Chance Week, which will be held in South County from Sept. 11 to Sept. 19. It kicks off in Morgan Hill with the popular South County Citywide Garage Sales Saturday Sept. 12 and Sunday Sept. 13. Gilroy’s Citywide Garage Sale will be held Saturday Sept. 18 and Sunday Sept. 19  with the goal of encouraging people to limit consumerism by purchasing items for reuse from neighbors and fellow residents.

With the aim of putting more used stuff back into circulation and keeping it out of the landfills, “Second Chance Week” features a diverse range of innovative reuse, resale and repair activities. This year’s other events are:

  • Sept. 13: Universal Waste Awareness Day
  • Sept. 14: Freecycle Day
  • Sept. 15: Donate Coats for Kids and Adults Too Day
  • Sept. 16: 2nd Sight Day – donate used eyeglasses to the Lion’s Club
  • Sept. 17: Recycle Your Cycle Day – donate old bikes for reuse

One of the most fun ways to help out Mother Nature is with the annual Creek Clean-up event. For three hours starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, individuals, families and groups can join together to enhance the health of our local waterways and the wildlife that live by them. It’s a wonderful way for families to teach their young children and teens the importance of caring for our natural communities and keeping our local ecosystems safe.

There are opportunities for participating in various South Valley county parks including Calero County Park, Mt. Madonna County Park, and Chesbro Reservoir. For more details, visit www.valleywater.org/news-events/events/national-river-cleanup

Organized by the city of Morgan Hill, participants will concentrate on picking up litter through the dry West Llagas Creek. Gloves, bags, litter grabbers and water will be provided. Bring your own water bottle. To be part of the clean-up, meet at the Corporation Yard (located near Community Park at 100 Edes Court in Morgan Hill) at 9 a.m. Participants younger than 18 will need to bring a volunteer waiver signed by their parents with them the morning of the event. Go to www.cleanacreek.org for more info or to get a volunteer waiver.

Why is it important for us to clean the debris and litter that collects in the creeks and riverways? Trash found around the Santa Clara County Parks and our urban streets eventually ends up in our local creeks and rivers that flow out to the San Francisco Bay.

You can make a difference not only in your community but for the whole Bay Area by joining millions of Americans on Coastal Clean-up Day to remove litter in our waterways.