News Details (Posted: July 31, 2008):

Volunteers Invited to Join Annual Clarion River Clean-Up

Full Description:

The cleanup will be held Aug. 23, and will focus on the shoreline between Wilcox and Cook Forest State Park.

COOKSBURG - Volunteers are being invited to participate in next month's Clarion River Annual Litter Cleanup event.

The cleanup is set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, in an effort to help protect water resources, decrease health risks associated with illegal dumping and littering and improve the scenic quality of the Clarion River Greenway to the benefit of all users.

It will focus on the shoreline between Wilcox and Cook Forest State Park in Elk and Forest counties.

A greenway is a linear corridor of open space - some are land trails for hiking, biking, and other forms of recreation while others are water trails.

In addition, some serve to protect the environment and are not designed for people to use.

The Clarion River Greenways serves all of these functions and connects the Allegheny National Forest and bordering open spaces to each other and the places where people live.

Greenways also create entirely new ways of accessing and enjoying land and water resources.

Volunteers are asked to register their participation by Aug. 20 by calling Pearl Wetherall at (814)927-5735 or online at www.americanrivers.org/goto/cl­arion.

Youth ages 12 to 17 must have a signed Pa CleanWays parental consent form prior to participation.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Cleaning up illegal dumping and littering requires the support of many individuals in many forms.

Funding for the cleanup is provided by the Stackpole-Hall Foundation and the state department of conservation and natural resources' bureau of recreation and conservation.

In addition, local donations have to date been secured by BiLo Foods of Ridgway, Cook Forest State Park, CRMP/Millstone Township, Elk County Solid Waste Authority, Pa Cleanways of Elk County, PennDOT of Clarion, Elk and Jefferson counties, and Veolia Environmental Services.

Donations are accepted by Pa Cleanways of Elk County at 300 Center St., P.O. Box 448, Ridgway, 15853 or calling (814)776-5373.

Those volunteering should wear long pants, long sleeves and sturdy shoes for the event and meet at 8:30 a.m. at one of the following meeting sites - south entrance of Bendigo State Park (state Route 1004 near Johnsonburg), 11624 River Road, Sigel, and Four-Mile launch.

Four-Mile launch is 3.5 miles on River Road from state Route 36 at Cook Forest State Park.

Pa CleanWays is a non-profit organization that helps people that are ready to take action against illegal dumping and littering in their communities.

Since 1990, Pa CleanWays has been dedicated to empowering individuals to resolve and prevent these destructive problems.

More information can be accessed at www.pacleanways.org

The Clarion River Municipal Partnership, Pa CleanWays of Elk County and Pa CleanWays are organizing the event.

The Clarion River offers local communities and tourists a scenic view of Pennsylvania's mountains, serpentine valleys and hardwood forests, a feeling of remoteness, a prehistoric animal footprint, the attraction and variety of recreational opportunities and a rich history.