On October 11th, 2025, AYLUS Fairfax Branch volunteered at the Friends of Accotink Creek’s International Coastal Cleanup.
Friends of Accotink Creek (FACC) is a volunteer-led nonprofit organization based in Fairfax County, Virginia, dedicated to protecting, restoring, and promoting the health of the Accotink Creek watershed.
Formed in 2004, the group focuses on environmental stewardship in this 51-square-mile urban waterway that stretches about 25 miles from near Vienna through parks, residential areas, and military lands like Fort Belvoir, before waste goes into the Potomac River and harms the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.
The AYLUS Fairfax Branch helped out at the Pickett Road section of Accotink Creek in Fairfax County. We first learned about the current problems of the watershed, including littering, plastic pollution, etc. We then learned from the volunteers about some solutions like preventing people from even letting this trash go into the water in the first place and helping pick up trash before it reaches the water.
The AYLUS branch filled up three bags of trash to the brim, battling the tough terrain of the first neighboring the creek. Ultimately, the experience was eye-opening and rewarding and we are excited to work with FACC in the future!
Special thanks to William Tian (2 Hours), Rachel Truong (2 Hours), and Michael Ma (2 Hours).
Best,
Michael Ma