VT & NH – Leading the way to cleaner rivers: Local groups tackle trash, tires and more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 24, 2013

Saxtons River, VT – Local cleanup group leaders all along the Connecticut River are busy planning for the 17^th annual Source to Sea Cleanup to be held October 4 & 5. Hosted by the Connecticut River Watershed Council (CRC), the Source to Sea Cleanup is an annual trash clean up of the Connecticut River and its tributaries along the four-state watershed (NH, VT, MA, CT). Volunteers clean along rivers, streams and stream banks, parks, boat launches, trails and more.

“We want to recognize the many groups whose local efforts year after year are having a positive impact along the whole 410+ mile Connecticut River and tributaries,” says Jacqueline Talbot, CRC Cleanup Coordinator. “Some really unbelievable things have been pulled from our rivers, such as a cement mixer, parking meters, propane tanks and junk cars. Without their dedication, this would not be possible. They inspire others to get involved and help form lasting connections to the river, while also sending the message that trash doesn’t belong in nature and that our rivers and trails are worth protecting.”

The Black River Action Team (BRAT) near Springfield, VT has been helping to clean the river since 2000. Over 100 volunteers join this group yearly and have removed nearly 200 shopping carts, tires and thousands of pounds of scrap metal in their area. The Weathersfield Greenup Association near Cornish, NH has joined the cleanup for 12 consecutive years. The Cheshire County Conservation District has partnered with the City of Keene and Keene State College for seven years, gathering hundreds of volunteers in that area to clean up rivers. “These are just a few of the many cleanup groups in New Hampshire and Vermont who do great work and leave the region cleaner over time,” says Talbot.

“TransCanada is proud to be a lead sponsor of the Source to Sea Cleanup,” says William Taylor, senior vice-president, U.S. and Canadian power. “We are committed to do our part to help protect the environment, and work with local organizations like Source to Sea Cleanup to conserve important habitat and educate individuals on the importance of environment.”

Other lead sponsors are Brookfield Renewable Energy Group, NRG Middletown Power and Lane Construction Corporation.

This year, more than 65 registered groups are organizing over 2,000 volunteers to clean up trash from northern New Hampshire & Vermont to the Long Island Sound.  To find one of the many other cleanup groups in your area visit http://ctriver.org/projects/source-to-sea-cleanup/join-a-group/.

The Connecticut River Watershed Council has been an advocate for the 11,000 square-mile watershed of the Connecticut River since 1952. CRC is a non-profit organization supported by individual members, public and private foundations, corporate sponsors and government grants. To learn more about CRC, or to make a contribution to help protect the Connecticut River, visit ctriver.org or call 413-772-2020.

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