For three years, Nebraska Game and Parks has invited the community out to lakes across the state for a series of “Kayak Clean Up” events, gathering trash along the shores while enjoying recreational kayaking.
The series is back with year, kicking off June 26th at Lincoln’s Holmes Lake, from 6-8 p.m. Both kayak and clean up equipment will be provided.
“It really builds stewardship values for people and helps folks view their local park as a place they can help keep healthy for wildlife as well as themselves,” said Grace Gaard, an Aquatic Ecology Education Specialist, who created the Kayak Clean Up in 2021, inspired by her love of open water and her previous work at Fontanelle Forest in Bellevue, Nebraska.
“I feel like when people get out on the water, it’s always a magical experience in different ways for people,” said Gaard. “I wanted to give people the skills to do it, but also provide people an opportunity to take action that actually has a positive impact on their local ecosystem.”
This event is free, and due to limited kayak supply, registration is required at outdoornebraska.gov.
Attendees will meet at the boat ramp and dock on the south side of the lake on Holmes S. Shore Road. This area is right in the middle on the south side of the lake. On google maps it is identified as Holmes Lake Sailboat Races.
There will be three other “Kayak Clean Up” events this summer:
- July 9 at Lake Zorinsky
- Aug. 1 at Standing Bear Lake
- Sept. 10 at Conestoga State Recreation Area
Last year, during a statewide clean up, 518 pounds of trash was collected by volunteers. A clean up at Carter Lake yielded around 300 pounds, according to Gaard, adding that her team has considered recycling the garbage into new art displays.