According to the refuge's facilities manager, Mike McMenamin, ?It seems as though we actually hauled in more this year than in the past few cleanups at the refuge.? He noted, ?We did target some new areas this year and the added refuse collected shows that really paid off.? McMenamin added that many of the places that had been targeted in the past several years seem to have yielded less debris, showing that those efforts have had a positive effect.

Volunteers worked throughout the watershed, including many of the tributary streams, from Radnor to Tinicum. During some years, the refuge cleanup is held on a different day than the rest of the watershed depending on tidal influences. This year low tide was at the perfect time to clean up the entire watershed.

Mike McMenamin thanked all who participated and noted special thanks to this year's sponsors: Darby Creek Valley Association, Friends of the Heinz Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, Sparky's Café of Darby Township, Steve Graham's Special Olympic Riding Stable of Darby Township, 7-11 of Folcroft, Wawa of Essington, Krispy Kream of Springfield, Alex's Market of Lester, Anthony's Pizza of Lester, and Bruno Bros. Bakery of Chester.

McMenamin also acknowledged the work of his fellow staff members at the Heinz Refuge and of the Friends of Heinz Refuge Photo Group for their documentation work.

At the rate of $13.74 per volunteer, the effort amounted to a cash equivalent of $8,570 worth of service. Approximately $1,052 in staff salary was spent and $600 worth of supplies from food to gloves and trash bags were donated from area businesses.