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| Volunteer & Environmental Education |
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Great River Sweep Brings Communities Together
By Andy Bicking
Scenic Hudson Inc.'s fourth annual Great River Sweep, April 21-29, signaled the power of grassroots organizing to galvanize support for a clean environment.
More than 200 community groups rallied at 115 cleanup sites along 200 miles of Hudson River shorelines, tributaries and public places. Setting yet another record, 3,600 volunteers cleared 50 tons of bagged trash plus countless tires, appliances and larger items. And the real success of this effort extends far beyond these numbers. It's all in the power of good planning.
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Most common items collected: cans, bottles, cigarette butts, fast food wrappers, Styrofoam, tires and household appliances.
Most unusual items collected: a motorcycle buried vertically in a stream bank, a flock of plastic owl lawn ornaments, a small refrigerator filled with rotten food and a stove. |
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Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winning author Toni Morrison last year called the Sweep, "an act of fierce love," a testament that acknowledges an impressive record of accomplishment and hints at something greater - a spirit of teamwork, a commitment to reflect on the condition of our communities and a call to take action.
How Does the Sweep Work and Who Makes it Happen?
Behind the scenes of this environmental success story are dedicated volunteer coordinators who create partnerships, rally participants, select sites, manage waste disposal and see to the details inherent in planning any event.
Every coordinator has a common cause - removing trash - yet each brings a unique vision to his or her effort. Some organize roving cleanups that shuttle volunteers to littered sites, while others launch kayaks to remove waterborne debris. Some organize parades, and still others coordinate hikes and educational activities. Some communities use the Sweep to build morale or to bring diverse groups together. Cleanups consist of hundreds of volunteers who gather and bag trash.
Whatever the contribution, feedback is surprisingly consistent: Valley residents are working hard and working well together. We are making our communities better places to live, work and visit. In the process, we are planting seeds for a bright, sustainable future.
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| FACT: April 20-28, 2002 will mark The Great River Sweep's fifth anniversary. Goals include developing volunteer committees to advise the project and network Hudson Valley resources. Find out more by calling us at (845) 473-TIDE or e-mailing volunteer@scenichudson.org. |
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