Join the Susquehanna Greenway Cleanup Week April 15-23
The Susquehanna Greenway is a connected corridor of paddling, walking and biking trails, boat launches, conserved lands, and communities that runs along the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania.
It is a vast and treasured landscape—one that also runs right through the heart of NEPA—however, it is no small feat to keep it clean and beautiful for all those who enjoy it.
One organization that is doing its part to assist in these efforts is the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership (SGP).
Each year, during the week of Earth Day, SGP hosts the Susquehanna Greenway Cleanup Week. Now in its third year, this program has seen 19 locations improved, 114 trees planted, 1,388 community volunteers, and over 26,546 pounds of trash removed.
This year, during the week of April 15-23, SGP is calling for groups, volunteers, and organizations all along the Susquehanna River to participate in the 2023 Susquehanna Greenway Cleanup Week by hosting litter pickups on their sections of the river in celebration of Earth Week 2023.
SGP is helping each community to organize efforts by convening the interested parties, assisting with planning, and securing no-cost cleanup materials such as bags, gloves, and safety vests. These supplies are being acquired through the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful initiative, which offers registered events free resources provided by support from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, PennDOT, and Keep America Beautiful.
Individuals and groups looking to join the communities of the 2023 Susquehanna Greenway Cleanup Week, should please reach out to Poppy Breining, SGP’s Program Manager for Trails & Recreation, at pbreining@susquehannagreenway.org.
SGP is especially interested in groups who would like to clean up locations along the Susquehanna River North Branch in celebration of not only Earth Week, but also the North Branch’s recent designation as the 2023 Pennsylvania River of the Year.
So Far, Participating Locations Along the North Branch Include:
Great Bend, Susquehanna County
Saturday, April 22nd / 10 AM
Led by Clean Earth Solutions, this cleanup will meet at Hallstead Fishing Access. Email christopher@cleanearthsolutions.net if interested in volunteering.
Athens & Sayre, Bradford County
Sunday, April 23rd | 1 PM
Led by Futurescapes, this cleanup of the Diahoga Trail will meet at the Riverfront Park Boat Launch.
Wyoming County
Thursday, April 27th
Led by Endless Mountains Heritage Region, the exact time and location of this Susquehanna River Cleanup is TBD.
Bloomsburg, Columbia County
Thursday, April 21st | 1 PM
Led by the Town of Bloomsburg, this cleanup will take place at Bloomsburg Park Town, Fort McClure Boulevard parking lot. Individuals interested in volunteering should reach out to Lisa Dooley, ldooley@bloomsburgpa.org.
Danville, Montour County
Saturday, April 15th | 9 AM – 12 PM
The Montour Area Recreation Commission (MARC) will be leading cleanups at the Montour Preserve, Hess Recreation Area, Hopewell Park, North Branch Canal Trail, Washingtonville Borough, and North Branch Susquehanna River access sites. Interested volunteers may sign up here.
Do your part! Join the Cleanup!
Additional planned cleanups located across the entire length of the Susquehanna River may be viewed at this link.
SGP is excited to welcome new faces and places to the efforts this year!
Interested groups or volunteers should email Poppy Breining at pbreining@susquehannagreenway.org to learn more about how they can participate.
Featured Image (Top) Courtesy of Susquehanna Greenway Partnership.
