Student group joins Wake County’s Annual Big Sweep for a day of cleanup at Lake Crabtree

Last month, the NC State student chapter of Coasts, Oceans, Ports & Rivers Institute (COPRI) proudly participated in Wake County’s annual Big Sweep at Lake Crabtree County Park.

With a mission to reduce litter and promote environmental awareness, the event brought together community volunteers to clean up public lands and waterways. Eight COPRI members dedicated their morning to the cleanup, tackling a section of roadside and lakefront areas near Lake Crabtree. Armed with gloves, garbage bags, and a shared commitment to sustainability, the group collected over ten large bags of trash, including plastic bottles, glass, car parts, and polystyrene.

“Taking part in the COPRI Stream Cleanup signifies our commitment to the environment and our local community. Each piece of litter we remove is a step towards healthier waterways and a cleaner Lake Crabtree, reminding us of all the positive impact we can have when we work together for a better future” said Nicole Arrigo, COPRI president.

Beyond the physical work, the event fostered meaningful interactions among COPRI members, allowing them to connect outside of their usual academic environment.

“We had a lot of fun working together, sharing stories, and even making a competition out of who could find the strangest piece of trash,” shared Javier Zumbado, a post-doc student in Coastal Engineering.

COPRI, an active student group on campus, remains dedicated to both the environment and community-building efforts by participating in multiple awareness and clean-up events each year.