PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Volunteers are invited to help clean up the west branch of the Housatonic River with Berkshire Environmental Action Team and Housatonic Valley Association on Saturday, July 22, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

 

After the cleanup, volunteers will be provided a free hot lunch from a local restaurant. Volunteers must RSVP in advance to reserve a free lunch.  

 

Meet at Wahconah Park at 9. 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 lightning or if the river is too high from recent rainfall.

 

Over the years, BEAT and HVA have collected an 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, they say their efforts have made a noticeable impact, with the piles of trash getting smaller, and this wouldn't be possible without the help of their volunteers.

 

For more information or to register to volunteer, contact team@thebeatnews.org or 413-464-9402.