James River Clean-up This Saturday

The James River Advisory Council is organinizing an effort to make the river we all enjoy a better place. Events are occurring all along the river in the counties and in our area they will be hitting Reedy Creek & Pony Pasture;

This year’s event is expected to produce as many, if not more, bags of trash due to months of unusually wet weather. In addition to trash discarded directly in the James, heavy rains carry trash downhill along thousands of miles of roadside ditches and streams, and eventually to the James River, demonstrating how a watershed works. The event’s theme, “Cleaning up the source,” is designed to trigger thoughts about the origins of the trash that is collected. Several groups of volunteers will target specific areas along streams that flow into the James.

In addition to volunteers on foot, paddlers and power-boaters, alike, are encouraged to participate because boaters can reach trash that’s out of grasp of the shore-bound volunteers.

Volunteers are asked to arrive a few minutes early to sign in and receive instructions. It is recommended that participants bring gloves, drinking water, sunscreen and insect repellent, and wear closed-toe shoes.

Businesses, organizations or individuals interested in becoming sponsors or helping plan future cleanups are encouraged to contact JRAC Executive Director Kimberly Conley at conleyk@chesterfield.gov or 804-748-1567.