DEP encourages Pennsylvanians to join local litter cleanup day Saturday; Mill Hall area scheduled
CleanScapes Fishing Creek streambank cleanup tradition began in 2009, initiated by a Keystone Central School District High School student. Over the years, CleanScapes volunteers completed five additional events and in total they collected almost 10,000 lbs. of litter and 19 tires. Shown here is the 2019 CleanScapes cleanup team sponsored by the Sons of Italy and the Clinton County Community Foundation. In less than three hours they collected over 1,000 lbs. of litter. The March 26, 2022 event sponsors are the Clinton County Community Foundation and Brenda and Donald Lysle. Partners are Lock Haven University, Clinton County Government, Wayne Twp. Landfill/Solid Waste Authority, PennDot District 2, Borough of Mill Hall, and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.
File photo providedBy Cassie Miller – Capital-Star
HARRISBURG, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is calling on Pennsylvanians to do their part for the commonwealth and join a litter cleanup opportunity in their local community as part of the Pick Up Pennsylvania campaign.
“Clean green spaces and waterways factor into our physical and mental health and enable the function of the ecosystem we depend on. They foster thriving communities that attract investment and support our recreation, tourism, and shopping economies. As the weather warms and we move outdoors, we benefit ourselves and our families by dedicating a morning or afternoon to Pick Up Pennsylvania,” DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell said in a statement.
In 2021, more than 79,000 Pick Up Pennsylvania volunteers recycled 3,124,648 pounds of various materials and disposed of 3,818,760 pounds of trash.
For more than two decades, volunteers from scout troops, businesses, outdoor enthusiast groups and environmental organizations have participated in the twice a year cleanup campaign.
The department reports that there are already 290 events registered this year on the Pick Up Pennsylvania website with approximately 21,000 volunteers.
“Cleanup activity is ramping up across the state. We’re honored to support the efforts of groups and individuals who are working hard to improve their communities,” said Shannon Reiter, president of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.
CleanScapes and Lock Haven University students Saturday morning are collecting litter from land adjacent to one of the area’s most popular opening day trout fishing locations, Fishing Creek in Mill Hall. Teams of volunteers will be working on the streambank or on the roadsides adjacent to Routes 64 and 150 preparatory to the start of another fishing season next Saturday, April 2..
Saturday’s community cleanup, the seventh annual, began at 9:30 a.m. and will end by 12 noon. All registered volunteers will be provided donuts, gloves, bags, safety vests and refreshments. Long pants and boots are recommended. Youth between the ages of 12-17 must be accompanied by a participating adult.
