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The Historic Southside Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalists and the Franklin Garden Club are promoting Clean Rivers Month, which is April.

In a joint news release, the two groups encouraged individuals and organizations to join them in their efforts to clean up the Blackwater River and Nottoway River Watershed.

WHAT IS CLEAN RIVERS MONTH?

It is a community effort to clean up trash in Franklin/Southampton County that drains into the Blackwater and Nottoway rivers. 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.  

HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?

Pick an area to clean up and choose your team. We can assign you an area if you prefer. Your team can 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 tools. 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. Anytime 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 that you need.  

SHARE YOUR SUCCESS!

Keep track of the number of bags of trash and tires you pick up. Send photos of your team in action with a listed location, the number of bags and tires picked up and a left-to-right listing of the names of those pictured to The Tidewater News. Email the photos and information to news@TheTidewaterNews.com. 

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 at 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. VDOT’s number is 757-346-3072. 

CONTACT INFORMATION

The Historic Southside Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalists and the Franklin Garden Club are sponsoring this event. The contact information for questions or help with your efforts is as follows:

• Virginia Master Naturalists: Dick Gilbert, email: rbgilbert124@gmail.com; phone number: 757-333-1200; and
• Franklin Garden Club: Susan Powell, email: susanwpowell@yahoo.com; phone number: 757-617-9448.