The local stewards of the bay

Save the Great South Bay’s Creek Defenders were in full force this weekend, April 17 and 18, removing debris and testing the waters for pollutants and other health hazards.

Gabriel Harrison explores the surrounding areas of Purgatory Creek to help keep it in good shape and limit the amount of debris going into the Bay.

According to Robyn Silvestri, executive director of SGSB, “Creek Defenders are our local boots on the ground and serve as local stewards who rally their communities to clear debris from and protect their local creeks. Creeks are the arteries and lifeblood of the Greater South Bay. They aim to inspire our local residents to get involved and start where they stand.”

Sayville’s creek defender Dr. James Bertsch, who is on the Sayville School Board, and Bayport’s creek defender Bob Draffin, president of the Bayport Civic Association, teamed up on Saturday and with a team of local residents and student groups like the Greater Sayville Junior Civic and the Bayport Junior Civic to collect dozens of garbage bags alongside the creek in San Souci, separating the two towns.

Jason Borowski, president of the Blue Point Civic Association and creek defender for Purgatory Creek, led the charge on Sunday for a clean up of the area.

Student volunteers in Bayport jumped in the water to fish out floating debris.