Silver City, NM -- Celebrate Continental Divide Trail Days (Trail Days) with the Silver City Watershed Keepers (SCWK) Saturday, April 16th. at Big Ditch Park. Begin the day beautifying Big Ditch by collecting and disposing of trash accumulated in and around San Vicente Creek from 10 a.m. -12 p.m. Later in the afternoon from 2 p.m. -3 p.m, rejoin the Watershed Keepers and learn how to conduct water quality testing and collect other environmental quality data for San Vicente Creek .

The Silver City Watershed Keepers is a non-profit environmental monitoring group made up of citizen volunteers and community members. They were established in 2010 by the Gila Resource Information Project (GRIP) and participate in various education and outreach activities including participation in Trail Days.

According to the Southern New Mexico Trail Alliance website, this year will be the 2nd annual Trail Days Kick off, to celebrate the start of the hiking season for the Continental Divide Trail. A 3,100 mile long trail spanning between the Mexican and Canadian border, the trail curves along the Rocky Mountains, crossing through five states including, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. The kickoff is an opportunity for hikers, trail enthusiasts, and community members to meet and learn more about the Continental Divide Trail, long distance hiking, and thru-hiking. The Watershed Keeper invites the community to participate in the activities occurring at Trail Days.

The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration reports that every year nearly 1.4 billion pounds of trash end up in our nation's rivers, streams, and oceans from litter and illegal dumping.

Gǣ Trash is more than just an eyesore; it can contaminate drinking water and threaten wildlife. SCWK asks community members to join them for this annual trash clean up of San Vicente Creek,Gǥ said Jalissa Frederick, SCWK coordinator and AmeriCorps member with GRIP.

The SCWK and those interested in participating in the cleanup will meet at the SCWK booth located at the southern end of Big Ditch Park near Kelly St. at 10 a.m. Bring work gloves, water, and a hat; SCWK will supply trash bags.

An important aspect of the Watershed Keepers activities include performing quarterly water quality monitoring of San Vicente Creek. The data collected from testing is sent to the New Mexico Environment Department to assist in long-term tracking of Silver City's watershed.

GǣVisitors who come out to test with the Watershed Keepers, will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in water science and data collection. Participants will also learn how the Watershed Keepers monitor the water quality of San Vicente Creek and what these measurements tell us about pollutant sources,Gǥ said Frederick.

SCWK technical advisor and retiree of the NM Environment Department staff Dave Menzie will join SCWK for a primer on water testing.

The Gila Resources Information Project is a non-profit environmental organization that promotes community health by protecting our environment and natural resources in southwestern New Mexico.