On Feb.23, CLEAN (Citizens League for Environmental Action Now) and the Endangered Species Media Project led students from YES Prep's East End campus on a cleanup of Buffalo Bayou at Tony Marron Park on N. York Street. The project served to educate the students about wildlife and natural habitats, and the effects humans have on the natural world.

The students had the opportunity to see first hand the large amount of litter and debris that floats in the bayou. The students retrieved with long poles large quantities of foam, plastic, paper, and other man-made debris from the water. One student scooped up a partially deflated plastic ball, while others pulled out old ropes and bottles. They also found a large dead catfish among the debris.

Charles Stillman, spokesperson for CLEAN, says that Buffalo Bayou is plagued by environmental problems. The goal of such cleanups is to "protect and preserve the Buffalo Bayou ecosystem and its surrounding natural landscapes, while also fostering an appreciation of nature for the attending students." He says the large human populations living close to the bayou and park contribute tons of trash to the area. "Anything carelessly thrown on streets and parking lots will most likely end up in the bayou. Unfortunately, birds, fish and marine mammals can mistake plastic and Styrofoam for food and swallow it. Additionally, birds' legs and beaks can become tangled in six pack holders and other plastic refuse. Grass clippings, leaves and other vegetation that are swept in the drains not only impede the flow of water and cause flooding, but also cause significant damage to the bayous."

As for their use of students for such cleanup efforts, CLEAN says: "The cleanup affords students the opportunity to draw real-life connections from the day-to-day decisions they make, and realize that those decisions ultimately impact the environment. The challenges in understanding how to protect and preserve human and all life are questions they will answer for themselves and future generations."