Nine Mile Run Association, the Pittsburgh-based nonprofit organization that has played a key role in rehabilitating the creek that flows through Frick Park, was recently awarded a $50,000 grant from a Coca-Cola water bottling company. The grant from Aquarius Spring came as the group demonstrated its ability to organize community based debris-removal projects at Nine Mile Run.

During two Stream Sweep days last week, volunteers removed waste and debris from the creek in lower Frick Park, near Commercial Street, and the Falls Ravine Shelter area. Water in Falls Ravine should have been draining directly into the Fern Hollow Wetland area, but sediment buildup and erosion were interfering with the process. The group provided gloves, safety vests, trash bags and most of the tools used to removed junk from the creek bed and banks.

Pittsburgh was one of 10 stops on a 20-week national Aquarius Spring summer tour in which educational materials regarding watershed conservation are distributed through the company's vegetable-oil powered bus.

Brenda Smith, executive director of Nine Mile Run Watershed Association, said the promotional value of Aquarius Spring and its eco-bus help draw attention to conservation projects such as the restoration of Nine Mile Run.

"The Aquarius Spring summer mobile tour aims to motivate local residents to take an active role in water conservation in their communities," said Smith, in a written statement. "Beyond the cleanup events, the partnership grant will help provide opportunities throughout the year for community involvement in creating a healthy watershed."

Organizer George Fiddler said much debris was removed from the valley.

"Local volunteers collected 68 bags of trash," he said, "plus items such as tarps, bicycles, shopping carts, street signs, hubcaps and tires, making a big difference to Nine Mile Run."

The 6.5-square-mile Nine Mile Run watershed includes Edgewood and Wilkinsburg boroughs, and parts of Swissvale and the City of Pittsburgh. The creek flows into the Monongahela River and eventually reaches the Gulf of Mexico.

To help with future Nine Mile run stream restoration projects, call 412-371-8779, ext.15, or shoot an e-mail to lisa@ninemilerun.org.