Volunteer Cleanup for West Branch of Housatonic River on July 23
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Volunteers are invited to help clean up the West Branch of the Housatonic River with Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) and Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) On Saturday, July 23, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
They'll finish cleaning up around noon and provide volunteers with a free hot lunch from a local restaurant. Volunteers should RSVP by Thursday, July 21, to reserve their free lunch.
Participants are asked to meet at Wahconah Park, 105 Wahconah Street, Pittsfield.
Cleanup teams will disperse to nearby locations, gathering miscellaneous trash from the river banks and bottom. Canoes will be used to transport the trash. Old clothes, a hat, sunscreen, old sneakers or waterproof boots/waders, a full water bottle, and sunglasses are recommended. The cleanup will be canceled in the event of pouring rain or thunder.
Cleanups make a considerable difference in the health of the Housatonic River. Over the years, BEAT and HVA have collected a startling array of debris — including mattresses, shopping carts, inflatable pools, bicycles, televisions, tires, construction materials, metal barrels, and all kinds of everyday trash. Once, they even found an empty ATM. Since beginning annual cleanups, their efforts have made a noticeable difference, with the piles of trash getting smaller, and this wouldn't be possible without the help of their volunteers.
West Branch river cleanups are organized by BEAT and HVA and co-sponsored by Blue Q, the City of Pittsfield, and American Rivers.
For more information or to register to volunteer, contact BEAT at team@thebeatnews.org or call (413)464-9402.
Tags: BEAT, Housatonic, HVA,
