FAQs:

+ Bring your own water bottles!
  • In an effort to reduce unnecessary waste we are not providing bottled water this year so volunteers will need to bring their own water bottles to their event.
+ I’ve never participated in a river cleanup before. Do I need to have any experience?
  • No experience is necessary, just a willingness and desire to help improve your community’s rivers. Cleanup organizers will provide volunteers with information on safety and protocol on the day of the cleanup. Each volunteer is responsible for his or her own safety and should act within their own personal physical abilities and exercise due caution when participating in river cleanups.
+ What should I wear and bring to the cleanup?
  • River cleanups can be messy and require hard work. Wear clothes that you don't mind getting dirty or even tattered. Work boots and work gloves are strongly recommended and, if you are going to be working in the water, dress appropriately. Long sleeve shirts and long pants are recommended despite the weather, for the protection they provide against the sun, poisonous or thorny plants and biting insects. Wearing a hat and eye protection is also recommended.
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  • You are likely to experience poison ivy, mosquitoes, sun and/or rain, so you are advised to bring sunscreen, mosquito repellant, hat and rain jacket. For more about poison ivy, click on http://poison-ivy.org/.
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  • It’s important to keep hydrated. Bring plenty of water and a snack to keep your energy up. We will have water on hand, but you will need to bring your own refillable water bottles. Bottled water is not being provided in an effort to reduce waste.If you plan to volunteer on the river, we recommend you bring a sack lunch and plenty of water.
+ Can my kids participate?
  • Absolutely. River cleanups are a fun learning experience for kids. Just make sure they understand the importance of putting safety first. The safety of river cleanup participants under the age of 18 is the responsibility of parents or legal guardians.
+ How much time will it take?
  • The event starts at 8 A.M. Friday Morning
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  • If you are volunteering on the river, your time commitment will be approximately as follows:
    • Cottonwood to Sycamore Access: 1-2 hours
    • Sycamore Access to Prospect Park: 6-7 hours
    • Prospect Park to Birdland Access: 1-2 hours
    • Harriet Street Access to Pleasant Hill Access: 6-7 hours
    • Pleasant Hill Access to Yellow Banks County Park: 2-4 hours
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  • If you are volunteering on a land trail, you may work an hour or two or more.
+ What can I expect?
  • First you need to sign in. A host at each starting point will give you trash bags and a pair of gloves.
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  • If you are volunteering on the land, you can bring full trash bags back to the start or leave them beside the trail or road and the organizing crew will collect them later.
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  • If you are volunteering on the river, you will bring trash to the nearest boat ramp. Support crew in power boats will be available to accept trash from your canoe so you can continue collecting trash. Some items, such as tires, drums and appliances, may be encountered and you should use care when retrieving and moving them. It may be helpful to bring a shovel to help retrieve tires and larger items from the sand and gravel.
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  • Host personnel will segregate the trash (tires, metal, trash) so we can recycle as much possible.
+ What will happen if it rains?
  • This event will be held rain or shine. We recommend that you bring a rain jacket and hat in case it does rain.
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  • In the event of a thunder storm, you will need to seek shelter. If you are on the river during a thunder storm, you will need to get off the river and seek shelter.