Want to make a difference in the health and appearance of your watershed … in just three short hours?
Volunteer for Raritan Headwaters Association’s 30th annual Stream Cleanup on Saturday, April 18, from 9 a.m. to noon, and see the difference thousands of helping hands can make! Helpers of all ages are needed, and the cleanup will be held rain or shine.
“It’s absolutely true that many hands make light work,” said Cindy Ehrenclou, executive director of the nonprofit watershed watchdog. “In just three hours last year, 1,700 volunteers removed 18 tons of trash and recyclables from 46 sites in Hunterdon, Somerset and Morris counties. They made a big impact in a very short time.”
This year, the 30th anniversary of the RHA Stream Cleanup falls only a few days before the 50th anniversary of Earth Day – a day dedicated to supporting environmental protection and celebrating clean air, water and land.
“The Stream Cleanup is in keeping with the spirit of Earth Day,” said Rebekah Buczynski, RHA’s Stream Cleanup coordinator. “Not only does it beautify local stream corridors, it also protects drinking water supplies and prevents litter from washing downstream to the Raritan Bay and Atlantic Ocean, where it can become a hazard to marine life.”
Online registration is now open. To sign up, go to https://www.raritanheadwaters.org/stream-cleanup/ to view an interactive map of the 50-plus designated sites for this year’s cleanup, then click the registration link to reserve a place at your preferred site.
Last year’s Stream Cleanup volunteers included individuals, families, scout troops, churches, businesses, civic groups, schools and environmental commissions.
Volunteers who register by March 28 will receive work gloves and trash and recycling bags. Individuals and groups can still register up to April 4, but they may have to provide their own gloves.
Groups of more than 15 people should contact Rebekah Buczynski at rbuczynski@raritanheadwaters.org or 908-234-1852 ext. 317 to make arrangements.
About Raritan Headwaters
Raritan Headwaters has been working since 1959 to protect, preserve and improve water quality and other natural resources of the Raritan River headwaters region through efforts in science, education, advocacy, land preservation and stewardship. RHA’s 470-square-mile region provides clean drinking water to 300,000 residents of 38 municipalities in Somerset, Hunterdon and Morris counties and beyond to some 1.5 million homes and businesses in New Jersey’s densely populated urban areas.
To learn more about Raritan Headwaters and its programs, please visit www.raritanheadwaters.org or call 908-234-1852.
