UIU professor awarded CLEAR grant for river cleanup
Volunteers needed for Turkey and Volga River cleanup days
FAYETTE, Iowa (April 9, 2008) - Upper Iowa University (UIU) professor Dr. Kata McCarville has been awarded the Community Leaders Enhancing Area Rivers (CLEAR) grant, funded by Iowa's Resource Enhancement and Protection Act-Conservation Education Program (REAP-CEP). The grant is intended to support river cleanup efforts in Fayette County.
"Last year's Volga River cleanup project was extremely successful," said McCarville. "The amount of junk taken from the river netted almost 10 tons, and approximately 66% of the trash was recycled with the rest being disposed of properly in the landfill."
The river cleanup plans for this year will again be one of the earliest in the state, but McCarville says the success of the river cleanup projects is largely dependent on the hard work of volunteers. "Beginning on Saturday, April 19, we will be cleaning up a 10-mile stretch of the Turkey River," said McCarville. "We will start below the dam at Clermont and work downstream from there, paying special attention to the four miles from Clermont to Elgin, as this is a very popular stretch of river with both locals and visitors to Northeast Iowa."
Registered volunteers are eligible for free camping on Friday and Saturday nights, April 18 and 19, with a potluck picnic being planned for Saturday evening in Elgin. On Sunday, volunteers with provide shuttle service for a "fun float" down the Volga just below the Heron Road bridge.
McCarville is also organizing a second river cleanup to coincide with UIU's Fayette Appreciation Days on April 23. The cleanup will be on the Volga River from Klock's Island to the Main Street Bridge, including Klock's Island Trail.
Volunteer help is needed for both events. Responsibilities include the management of the river float, hauling and sorting river junk and recyclables, collecting and removing trash on shore, as well as floating the river and collecting trash from along and in the river. McCarville says there are plenty of volunteer opportunities, many of which do not require boating or getting wet. Lunch and drinking water will be provided for registered volunteers on both days.
Partners involved with the project include UIU students, faculty and staff, Fayette County Conservation Board, City of Fayette, and local citizens. Support from local businesses and groups is also needed.
To register as a volunteer or for more information, please contact McCarville at 563-425-5233 or by e-mail at mccarvillek@uiu.edu.
Contact:
Sheila Miller
Director of Public Relations
Work - 563-425-5326
Cell - 319-610-7108
Fax - 563-425-5701
millers@uiu.edu
www.uiu.edu