In celebration of World Ocean Cleanup Day, we caught up with longtime Lake & Stream member Laura Marlowe to chat about her experiences with the cleanup crew, ways to make a difference in your daily life, and more.
Q: How long have you been part of the Lake & Stream cleanup crew?
A: Oh, it’s probably been about 10 years now.
Q: What kinds of things do you usually find during a cleanup?
A: We come across a lot of hats and gloves, and masks too—especially lately. There’s always plenty of styrofoam, bottles, empty food containers… just your typical litter.
Q: Ever find anything weird or unexpected? What about toys or trinkets?
A: The weirdest thing we’ve probably found was a Minnie Mouse stuffed animal—about 18 inches tall and absolutely filthy. One of our members, Larry, actually cleaned it up, washed and dried it, and brought it back to life. We’ve also found a frog skeleton, lots of balls, a few clothing items (which is always a little surprising), and even a full winter jacket once.
Q: How have things changed since you first started helping with cleanups?
A: Honestly, not a whole lot has changed+. The general routine is the same, but we’ve gotten better about safety—things like watching out for deep water or slippery spots. I actually slipped in some mud once and ended up sitting in the stream up to my neck!
Q: Since Lake & Stream crews usually go out in small teams of about 2-5 people. How important is teamwork?
A: Teamwork is huge. It helps us cover more ground, but more importantly, it keeps us safe. If anything goes wrong—someone falls or needs help—there’s always a buddy there. It really keeps things running smoothly.
Q: Cleanup doesn’t stop at the museum. What advice would you give to people who want to help out on their own?
A: I always bring a bag with me when I go for a walk or hike. That way, if I see trash, I can just pick it up right then and there. After trash pickup day in my neighborhood, I’ll usually do a quick loop and grab anything that got left behind. And sometimes even if I’m doing something else outside—like volunteering for a different event—I’ll end up collecting trash anyway. If you’re prepared, it’s easy to make a difference wherever you are.
Caring for our waterways starts with small, everyday actions—and dedicated volunteers like Laura show just how far those actions can go. Whether you’re ready to roll up your sleeves or simply want to see conservation in action, there’s a place for you at the Virginia Living Museum.
Join a cleanup, plan a visit, or take the first step by bringing a bag on your next walk. Every bit counts.
