Last month, Penn Sustainability in partnership with the Cobbs Creek Community Ambassadors rallied together 13 Penn students and employees to participate in a clean-up along Cobbs Creek, an environmental amenity nestled in West Philadelphia less than 3 miles from Penn's campus. Over the course of the clean-up, they collected 18 bags of waste, 2 tires, and 1 shopping cart from along a 1-mile segment. This endeavor wasn't just about tidying up a natural space; it was a step towards addressing the environmental burdens that have long impacted the communities along Cobbs Creek.

For years, these neighborhoods have grappled with the adverse effects of environmental neglect. The lack of public amenities and maintenance has hindered access to the creek, while adjacent low-income communities of color have borne the brunt of frequent flooding caused by polluted stormwater overflow. However, amidst these challenges, there shines a beacon of hope in the form of collaborative initiatives aimed at restoring and revitalizing this vital watershed.

At the forefront of this movement are the Cobbs Creek Community Ambassadors, grassroots champions dedicated to preserving the integrity of the creek and its surrounding ecosystem. In January alone, the Cobbs Creek Community Ambassadors mobilized more than 100 volunteers who collectively cleared a remarkable 228 bags of trash from the creek's vicinity. This equates to approximately 1.7 tons of waste removed, a testament to the power of community-driven action in effecting tangible change.

This clean-up was not the University’s only touch point with the creek. The Water Center at Penn, in collaboration with partners, are spearheading efforts to construct a cutting-edge educational facility at the Cobbs Creek Environmental Education Center designed to empower community members to engage with their environment safely. Beyond access, this center will offer STEM learning opportunities, fostering knowledge-building among youth and community members alike.

Looking ahead, the call to action extends far beyond a single clean-up event. Penn Sustainability invites all those impassioned by environmental stewardship to join the Cobbs Creek Community Ambassadors in their future efforts filling out their clean-up interest form. Whether you're a student, employee, or community member, there's a place for you in this vital movement towards environmental resilience for generations to come.