Annual River Clean-Up 2015
Every April, a team of volunteers spreads out across the Patuxent River watershed to pick up over 20,000 pounds of trash along both the banks of the river and its tributaries, and in the water itself. This trash is dangerous to wildlife. Some animals consume it, which can be fatal. Other garbage is made of organic material, and consumes dissolved oxygen as it decomposes, creating a shortage of oxygen for the living creatures in the water. Harmful toxic chemicals may leach from other kinds of garbage.
You can help clean up the Patuxent River and make it safer, healthier, and more attractive for humans and wildlife alike. Our goal is to collect 33,350 pounds of trash this year, and we are positive that with your help, we will achieve this. Anecdotes suggest that the cleaner a place is, the less likely people are to litter there. It has been observed that since we began our annual clean-up in 2005, less trash has been seen every year.
Are you just looking to help clean up?
Join us Saturday, April 4, 2015 at a location near you. Clean-up times vary with location. Contact Katie Mettle, Patuxent Riverkeeper’s Volunteer Maryland Coordinator, at katie@paxriverkeeper.org, or at 301-579-2073 ext. 6 to find a clean-up site near you.
Or would you like to become more involved, as a Site Leader?
Here’s the Volunteer Position Description:
Title: Clean-up Site Leader
Description of Duties: Serve as point of contact between Patuxent Riverkeeper and the local clean-up site. Help recruit volunteers, ask volunteers to fill out forms, distribute clean-up supplies, weigh and add up garbage and fill out tally sheet, mail all forms to Patuxent Riverkeeper’s Volunteer Maryland Coordinator. We will provide gloves, trash bags, and trash grabbers to protect you from the waste you will be picking up. Dress in comfortable clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting dirty and wet.
Qualifications: Good leadership skills and basic knowledge of the river.
Time Requirements: The morning of Saturday, April 4th for the clean-up (Sunday, April 12, 2015 is the rain date) and additional time needed to recruit volunteers with the aid of Patuxent Riverkeeper. Additional time needed to pick up the supplies we will provide. Clean-up times vary with location and are at the discretion of the Site Leader.
Orientation/Training: Each Site Leader will receive a detailed email describing their duties, and if they desire, have an individual discussion with the Volunteer Maryland Coordinator.
Benefits: Make a tangible and positive difference in the health and beauty of the Patuxent River, gain new knowledge and experiences, and work with a passionate and dedicated team.
Evaluation and Reporting Procedures: Complete and return all forms.
Location: Our office is located at 17412 Nottingham Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772. Clean-up sites will be across the watershed.
Contact: Katie Mettle, Patuxent Riverkeeper’s Volunteer Maryland Coordinator, at katie@paxriverkeeper.org, or at 301-579-2073 ext. 6 to get involved.
