Greener Codorus Initiative
The Greener Codorus Initiative is an annual maintenance program along the banks of the Codorus Creek in York City. Join us for weekly events April-November.
About Greener Codorus Intiative
The Greener Codorus Initiative is an annual maintenance program along the banks of the Codorus Creek in York City which began in 2015.
Our goal is to maintain the vegetation along the Codorus Creek from College Avenue downstream to the train trestle north of Philadelphia Street in York City per our Memorandum of Understanding with the Army Corps of Engineers. The Initiative prevents the Army Corps of Engineers from spraying herbicide along the creek.
More about the Greener Codorus Initiative
Without this program the Army Corps will spray herbicides along the creek killing everything it touches, harming the environment and turning the creek landscape into a barren wasteland void of flora and fauna. The Army Corps would spray to keep a clear line of sight to inspect their flood control walls and rip rap throughout the City.
Our volunteers perform vegetation control for 2 hours per outing. We use hand tools like grass whips, hand scythes and weed trimmers.
In addition, our program is focused on volunteer recruitment and educating those volunteers about the watershed and its issues.
The Greener Codorus Initiative is more than just physical labor chopping weeds along a creek, but a means to harness a new group of stewards to continue to protect and care for our watershed.
Our volunteers get a deep appreciation for the work as it is physically exhausting, but they also leave an outing feeling more empowered and fulfilled knowing they made a difference for clean water.
The Greener Codorus Initiative continues to grow its volunteer base and hours served on the creek every year since its inception. We are happy to announce a new partnership with the York County Prison’s Work Release Program. Volunteers will be joining our efforts Monday mornings throughout this season.
We will continue to harness the power of our local community in protecting our Codorus Creek while continuing to beautify York City through this initiative.
If you are interested, please check out the upcoming volunteer crew dates and sign up or come out and meet us there sometime to find out what it is all about.
Volunteers Needed
Our 2023 season is upon us! Come out and chop some vegetation along the Codorus Creek.
Volunteer Details
In the past, the Army Corps of Engineers would spray herbicides to keep a clear line of sight to visually inspect their levies and flood control walls. However, for the last 9 years we’ve stopped those harmful herbicides from being sprayed by manually controlling vegetative growth. Did you ever notice that the banks along the Creek are now GREEN? Well that’s because of our work. Come out and support a great cause, you’ll even get a decent workout and watch wildlife like ducks and turtles eat the vegetation you just chopped. It is very rewarding to be a part of this great work.
We have all tools and safety equipment. Please wear long pants, shoes with good ankle support and bring your own water bottle.
We cannot do this work in wet conditions, so please do not come out if it is wet or raining. Schedule is subject to change. Make up days due to weather or other events will be posted as necessary. ALL VOLUNTEER HOURS COUNT TOWARDS ANY REQUIRED COMMUNITY SERVICE OBLIGATIONS. We’ll even write letters for you, if needed! Bring a friend and share!
Meet at Foundry Plaza Codorus Boat Basin 226 W. Philadelphia Street York, PA 17401.
Our volunteer crew sessions are typically held the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month 9AM-11AM and 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month 5:30PM-7:30PM. Some dates may vary. If you are interested in volunteering to help with the Greener Codorus Initiative, please select a date from the schedule below and register. Email us for additional information.
