Volunteers remove 1,000 pounds of trash from waterways

More than 95 volunteers spent two Saturdays in September removing trash, tires and scrap metal from the Conewango and Clarion rivers and surrounding areas as part of local conservation efforts.

The cleanups were organized with support from Penn Soil Resource Conservation and Development Council and local watershed and conservation organizations.

On Saturday, Sept. 12, 13 volunteers participated in the annual Conewango Creek Cleanup, donating a combined 99 hours of volunteer time. The volunteers covered the section of Conewango Creek from the Front Street Boat Launch to Point Park.

The cleanup resulted in approximately 380 pounds of aluminum and steel, which was recycled, along with three tires that were also recycled and approximately 400 pounds of other trash.

Among the items recovered from the creek were metal barrels, a stroller, a metal tabletop and large quantities of plastic garbage.

Volunteers returned to the water two weeks later, on Saturday, Sept. 26, for a Clarion River cleanup organized through Penn Soil in partnership with the Clarion County Conservation District.

Approximately 85 volunteers participated in the effort, cleaning sections of the Clarion River as well as roadways, trails and shelter areas in Cook Forest.

The large turnout led organizers to add a second water-based cleanup location to accommodate the number of people who had preregistered.

At the first Clarion River location, volunteers worked along approximately four miles of river above Pale Whale Livery. The livery provided canoes and transported volunteers upstream, allowing them to float downstream while collecting trash.

A land crew of at least 25 volunteers worked throughout Cook Forest, picking up debris along roadways, trails and shelter areas.

Another group worked from the Toby Boat Launch. One volunteer cleaned the boat launch and parking area from land, while a group of eight paddlers used their own kayaks and canoes to cover approximately one and a half miles of the lower Clarion River.

The paddlers traveled out and back from the launch, collecting trash and bringing it back to the starting point. That crew collected an estimated 175 to 200 pounds of metal and approximately 400 pounds of other trash.

The cleanup projects are part of ongoing environmental stewardship and outdoor education efforts supported by Penn Soil and its local partners.