The annual French Creek cleanup event happened once again on Saturday, Sept. 7. Groups of students, including sports teams like men’s lacrosse and women’s track, formed teams and adventured into different parts of the French Creek watershed to tackle cleaning up heaps of garbage. Participants also had the opportunity to tag along with Students for Environmental Action’s visit to the Weyel Estate — located only 20 minutes from the college — and dig up trash from a farm dump used in the 1930s.
The Weyel Estate is registered as a conservation easement with the French Creek Valley Conservancy and ownership will pass to the FCVC once the owner vacates.
“I feel like we were able to do a lot of work for that property,” said Elsa Waidelich, ’25, president of SEA.
The team at the Weyel Estate consisted of 21 students, who worked together to clear the former dump full of cracked liquor bottles, appliances and old house supplies. As students cleaned the dump, the event coordinators separated the items into metal and nonmetal.
“The total of the trash is a fundraiser for the conservancy,” said Andy Walker, ’00, a board member of the French Creek Conservancy. “We are very proud.”
An entire dumpster of nonmetal trash and two trucks full of metal were filled within the two hours that the group was at the property. Don Weyel, the property owner, was shocked at what actually got done.
“I am overwhelmed and overjoyed,” Weyel said. “I didn’t even think we were going to get to the dump.”
Weyel repeated to students that this is not where work for the environment ends.
“When people say, you know, climate change isn’t as bad as they say it is, I say, ‘You’re right. It’s worse,’” Weyel said. “Climate change is real and so I do everything that I can to protect the environment, to reduce my carbon emissions, to go solar, you know.”
Despite the hard work, the group consensus was that the cleanup was fun. Some students dug up unique looking bottles and kept a handful of them, one student found a license plate and another student found an old superhero mug.
Katherine Hoehl, ’25, really enjoyed the experience.
“It was a cool time, I would do it again,” Hoehl said. “I hope more underclassmen continue to participate in the clean up, because they’ll learn a lot and really help the community. And you get free hot dogs at the end!”

Waidelich was shocked at the level of student involvement at this year’s cleanup.
“I was a little worried about the weather, I knew it was going to be chilly and a little rainy,” Waidelich said. “It’s a Saturday morning too, and that tends to deter people. Overall we had a good turnout. Sometimes we operate within the college and it would be nice (for) us (to be) more active in the community, though.”
Elizabeth Dyer, ’25, was eager to sign up when SEA opened up the Google form.
“I have some really great memories for much of the years that I’ve done the cleanup,” Dyer said. “I think it’s a really great way to have hands-on experience especially as an ESS (Environmental Science and Sustainability) major.”
In the future, the French Creek Conservancy plans to host more stewardship events along with the trash cleanup. According to Walker, there’s not much trash left along the watershed. In a few more years, if engagement stays the same — or even increases — the trash is expected to be almost completely cleaned up.
“The amount of trash is decreasing each year,” Walker said. “We want to try to include more tree planting and activities associated to involve as many volunteers as we can.”
Weyel is excited to plant more trees on his estate. He has over 2,000 trees planted now, and he said he would love to keep up with it. He also plans to add trails along the property, and eventually open it to the public.
Weyel hopes for students to keep making a difference.
“Don’t let yourself be talked out of your beliefs,” Weyel said. “Holding on to your beliefs becomes more difficult but hold on to them. Know in your heart it’s true and don’t be dissuaded.”