2018 Annual Waterways Cleanup A Success
On September 29th and October 20th, the Cumberland County Improvement Authority (CCIA) sponsored its 27th Annual Waterways Cleanup. Groups throughout the county joined in to support this event. The CCIA hosts this as part of the Cumberland County Clean Communities Program sponsored through the State of New Jersey. In conjunction, the Waterways Cleanup is being held with the annual International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) event where volunteers worldwide clean litter and debris from lakes, rivers, streams, bays and beaches.
This year two organizations kayaked the Maurice River. Both Boy Scout Troop #4 and a passionate kayaking group, led by Joan Maloney, rose to the challenge of removing trash from the bank and stream bed of the Maurice River. The Citizens United for the Maurice River and its Tributaries concentrated on Westside Park and Alliance Beach. A portion of their volunteers also removed trash along Almond Rd. In Bridgeton, Gerda took lead on cleaning up the area surrounding Sunset Lake and Mary Elmer Lake.
On the 20th of October, Bridgeton high school students cleaned up the Bridgeton City Park. These students and teachers concentrated on the Raceway and Cohanzick Zoo as well as the parks near the school.
As my first cleanup with the Cumberland County Improvement Authority, I am still speechless at the number of volunteers that participated.
Over the two days 152 volunteers collect 70 bags of trash totaling to approximately 350 pounds. These groups dedicated 304 hours assisting in keeping Cumberland County beautiful. “As my first cleanup with the Cumberland County Improvement Authority, I am still speechless at the number of volunteers that participated. Volunteering is a selfless act. To see so many people care about Cumberland County and our limited resources like I do; I am still blown away,” says Loretta Pregartner, Recycling and Clean Communities Coordinator.
If your organization would like to hold a cleanup, CCIA will assist each group by supplying gloves, trash bags, pickers, and trash removal.