ARLINGTON – Arlington Rotary Club volunteers led a community service project to restore a section of Portage Creek, one of two main fish-bearing creeks passing through the Old Town area.

In all, 11 Rotarians and other volunteers spent four hours restoring 165 feet along the creek removing non-native vegetation, picking up litter and removing two encampments.

Within stream corridors such as Portage Creek, non-native plants will push out native vegetation that provides shade and cooling for fish, clog stream channels and provides a home for other native birds and insects.

“By removing invasive vegetation, we helped native vegetation to survive and eventually overtake the invasive plants,” Rotarian Jessica Ronhaar said. “This has a long term health benefit to Portage Creek.”

Rotarians showed up early, set up tents and cooked bacon and egg sandwiches as an energy source before starting the day’s work, Ronhaar said.

After removing about 8,025 pounds of debris and vegetation, Rotarians were treated to grilled cheese sandwiches and hot tomato soup.