A St. Johns Riverkeeper volunteer group patrolled the river’s north bank on Sunday, July 20, near McCoys Creek to remove debris and prevent it from getting back into the waterway.
Roughly 20 volunteers attended last month’s event, part of a monthly cleanup program organized by the Riverkeeper in its continued efforts to keep the river clean. In its 25 years, the organization has conducted more than 440 river cleanup events throughout the St. Johns River watershed. Although an extreme heat advisory cut the cleanup short, the group was able to collect a decent mound of garbage from the northbank.
“It takes events like this to make people realize how much help and care the river needs,” said Isabel Hernandez, a volunteer organizer.
“We enjoy coming down and helping out,” added volunteer Kim Corey, of St Mary’s, Georgia. “My husband got me into it and now we come down and make a day of it.”
The pile of removed debris included a pool noodle, a trash can lid, pieces of a Styrofoam cooler and a metal broom handle. Sometimes the garbage can be surprising, said Hernandez.
“We pulled out seven tires at one cleanup,” said Hernandez.
The next cleanup is planned for Sept. 13 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. at Riverview Park, 9620 E Water St, Jacksonville, FL. The Riverkeeper suggests that volunteers bring a full, reusable water bottle, closed-toe shoes (rain boots, work boots or waders are helpful) and yard gloves. City of Jacksonville and Keep Jacksonville Beautiful provide cleanup gloves and bags.
Click here for more information about upcoming cleanups or other events.
