Springfield, Vt.
“In a world that is full of negative news, RiverSweep is an opportunity to come together across all kinds of boundaries to work toward a common goal,” said Kelly Stettner, director of BRAT.
“There’s something intrinsically soul-satisfying about putting in the time and sweat equity to improve the condition of a river. The water will move on, but our positive impact remains.”
In Springfield, volunteers will meet at the footbridge in the shopping plaza. In Ludlow, they’ll meet in the gazebo in Veterans Park. Participants will receive a free T-shirt and lunch. All volunteers will be entered to win prizes donated by local businesses.
Stettner noted that removing trash from the river makes the area safer for paddlers, anglers and wildlife. Contributing to the cleanup is a great way for residents to connect with nature, she said.
“People who take care of the river even once a year are more likely to pay attention to it in their day-to-day lives and want to do more to keep it cleaner and healthier. We get to explore the wildlife of the river and the land around it. Who doesn’t like spotting a bald eagle flying over, a turtle in the shallows, or a dragonfly perched nearby? That’s a nice reward for cleaning up junk.”
For more information, email blackrivercleanup@gmail.com or leave a message at 802-738-0456.