Erie Litter Critters
Erie has a variety of “litter critters” – equipment that helps us, as a community, collect unwanted trash in our creeks, bays, and lakes. Taking this trash out of our waterways, and learning how to keep trash from ENTERING the waterways will keep our water healthy for everyone. See the “biographies” below to learn more about how these “critters” help each of us every day!
Our Critters
These critters are an important part of keeping our water clean, but we can all help lessen their workload (less work for volunteers too!) by learning how to keep litter from getting in the water in the first place. Check out our “What Can I Do?” tab for more ideas about how you can keep our water clean too!
Year to Date Data
The Litter Critter Keepers
Kristen Currier
Erie County Conservation District Environmental Educator
Kristen provides outreach at public events and programs. She provides information to the community on why clean water is important and how to keep our water clean for everyone.
Sherri Mason
Director, Project NEPTWNE
Gannon University
Sherri is obsessed with waste. As a research scientist, she channels her interest in getting data that she hopes can raise awareness and create change. She works with students to collect and categorize the litter from the “critters” reported here.
Amber Stilwell
Penn State Extension, Coastal Outreach Specialist, PA SeaGrant
Amber provides outreach at public events and programs. She provides information to the community on why clean water is important and how to keep our water clean for everyone. Amber also works with volunteers in cleanup efforts in Erie County.
Varun Kasaraneni
Gannon University – Assistant Professor of Environmental Engineering
Varun is working on collecting numbers of how many large and small pieces of plastics are found in our streams and lake. He is also testing which ways work best in preventing and removing these plastics from our waterways.