Monday, April 16, 2012

Make Your River a Little Cleaner with a Self Directed Trash Clean-up


It’s that time of year when everyone is headed outside to soak in the sun and break out of the winter blahs.  Unfortunately, an increase in outdoor activities often leads to an increase in trash.  Every spring, without fail, the emails start…emails asking us to lead trash clean-ups.  We’re thrilled that there are so many people that want to help keep the watershed clean!  The problem is that we get more requests than we could ever possibly keep up with.  This started us thinking…how can we help people lead their own trash clean-ups?  The answer is JRA’s new Self-directed Trash Clean-up Program. 

So how does it work?  You figure out the who, when and where of your clean-up and then contact JRA.  This gives you and your group the flexibility to hold an event when it is convenient for you.  JRA will provide you with a kit that contains everything you need for your clean-up including trash grabbers, gloves, bags, safety vests, a first aid kit and a reporting sheet so that you can record all the information from your event.  If you aren’t going to be somewhere where trash can be easily disposed of, we will also arrange to have your collected trash hauled away.  It’s that easy.  You do the clean-up at a time that is convenient for you and return the kit when you’re done.  JRA and everyone who loves the James will thank you for it! 

This program is available throughout the James River watershed, regardless of how near or far you live from the river.  Because, any litter that’s on the ground will eventually end up in the nearest waterway. 

JRA is currently creating a map that will show locations that we know are in need of some TLC.  The map will also provide important details about safety and location such as, whether a location is road-side, if it requires water access and if it is safe for children.  

For more information about the program, to reserve a kit or to tell us about an area that you think should be on our map, contact Amber Ellis at aellis@jrava.org.  

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