FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Greenfield, MA September 14, 2012 – On Saturday September 29, thousands of volunteers in four states will fan out to clean up trash and debris along the Connecticut River and its tributaries in Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut. The Connecticut River Watershed Council’s 16th Annual Source to Sea Cleanup – always held in early fall – is not only a very important event for the cleanliness and health of the Connecticut River and tributaries, but is also a wonderful neighbourhood event for families and community groups throughout the watershed.

“It’s not too late to join one of over 50 registered groups by going to our website, ctriver.org,” said Jacqueline Talbot, CRC’s Cleanup Coordinator. “If you don’t find a group in your area accepting new cleanup volunteers or want to go out on your own, just download our trash tally form and let us know what you picked up.”

“This year we have a particular need for divers willing to join us in the cleanup effort, assisting with a large submerged trash site in the Wethersfield, CT area,” says Talbot. If you or someone you know is a certified diver and would like to get involved, please contact CRC directly at cleanup@ctriver.org or 860-704-0057.

For the past 15 years, the Watershed Council has organized thousands of adult and child volunteers who have removed more than 707 tons of refuse from along waterways in four states during the biggest single-day river cleanup in New England. CRC fields a variety of trash site suggestions, coordinates the work of individual groups and supplies them with bags and gloves.

“Be sure to register by September 20 so we can get you supplies and other information in enough time to make your participation a success,” Talbot said. The Watershed Council welcomes donations of cleanup supplies such as heavy duty work gloves & trash bags. Interested donors may go to ctriver.org and donate to CRC to help cover the costs of this year’s Cleanup.  Questions may be directed to Jacqueline Talbot at cleanup@ctriver.org or 860-704-0057.

Based in Greenfield, MA, the CRC has been a nonprofit advocate for the 11,000 square-mile watershed of the Connecticut River since 1952 and is proud to celebrate 60 years of hard work for the river this year.

NRG Middletown Power and TransCanada are the 2012 Cleanup’s lead sponsors. Other major support is provided by Lane Construction, the Metropolitan District Commission, CDM Smith and Covanta.

CONTACT:                                                                        

Jacqueline Talbot, Cleanup Coordinator and CT River Steward, jtalbot@ctriver.org 860-704-0057

Angela Mrozinski, CRC Outreach & Events Director, amrozinski@ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext 204