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Clean Rivers Month is a community effort to clean up trash in Franklin/Southampton County in the basins of the Nottoway and Blackwater rivers. 

A recent press release continued by noting that Clean Rivers Month, which is April, is sponsored by the Historic Southside Chapter of Virginia Master Naturalists and the Franklin Garden Club. Any group or individual can volunteer to help. 

“This is a great opportunity to contribute to the health and beauty of our community and our rivers,” officials stated in the release.

The Historic Southside Chapter of VMN and the Franklin Garden Club addressed the following questions in the release:

How do you get involved?

Pick an area to clean up, and choose your team. We will assign you an area if you prefer. Your team may be you, your friends, family, business group, community organization or neighborhood. Some will go by boat on our rivers; some will hit streams or ditches, parking lots, your front yard or anywhere you desire. We will provide litter-getters and trash bags for those who need them. We also have safety tips and reflective vests. Let us know what you need.

When should we start? 

We target the month of April as Clean Rivers Month every year, but if another month is better timing for your group, no problem. Any time your team wants to schedule your efforts is great. Tell us the location and date that you have picked, and we will arrange to get you the materials you need.

Share your success! 

Keep track of the number of bags of trash and tires you pick up. Take pictures of your team in action, and let us know if you find any unusual items. Share this information with us. Since this program began in 2001, there have been more than 102,600 pounds of trash picked up by more than 2,720 volunteers.

What happens to the trash we collect? 

Trash bags collected in Franklin may be left at the boat ramp below Barrett’s Landing, the rear of Hunterdale Christian Church on Delaware Road or in your home trash container. Trash collected in Southampton County may be left at one of the dumpster collection sites in the county. Bags also may be left along the roadside for the Virginia Department of Transportation to pick up as long as they are notified. Their number is 757-346-3072.

How do you sign up to help? 

You may contact either of the following:

• Franklin Garden Club: Mary Hunting — email her at maryhunting59@gmail.com, or call her at 901-827-2566.
• Historic Southside Chapter VMN: Dick Gilbert — email him at rbgilbert124@gmail.com, or call him at 757-333-1200.