Volunteers pulled 160 bags of trash from ten sites along the James River today as part of the twenty-fourth James River Regional Cleanup.
The annual event is organized by the James River Advisory Council, along with many partners.
Cleanups were held at Pony Pasture, Ancarrows Landing and Belle Isle in the City of Richmond; Osborne Boat Landing in Henrico County; Dutch Gap Boat Landing in Chesterfield County; Tucker Park in Goochland County; Pocahontas Island in the City of Petersburg; Hilton Beach in Newport News; Percivals Island in the City of Lynchburg and James River State Park in Appomattox County and Buckingham County.
“We are tremendously grateful to the nearly 200 volunteers who joined the James River Regional Cleanup today,” JRAC Co-Chair Janit Llewellyn said. “I’m inspired by the work that takes place year after year by so many caring individuals and groups.”
Volunteers on foot scoured the riverbanks for debris or picked up along roadsides. Others participated from canoes, kayaks or motorized boats.
They pulled seventeen tires from the river. Other items removed were a toilet, an entertainment center, a Barbie doll, a hubcap, an air conditioning unit and an Easter egg.
The James River Regional Cleanup is the kickoff for James River Week, a seven-day celebration of Virginia’s treasured waterway. Numerous activities and programs are planned, from boat tours to library story times.
See the list of James River Week events at thejamesriver.org/james-river-week/.
Read RFM’s cover story about the James River by local author John Bryan.
