The June 7 Upper Mississippi River Cleanup in Pool 13 was a grand success. Participants walked the shoreline and gathered in watercraft including boats, kayaks and canoes. A large amount of trash was collected along several miles of shoreline, islands and backwaters.
The river cleanup was co- sponsored by Stewards of Upper Mississippi River Refuge, City of Savanna, and Delta Waterfowl. The cleanup covered many areas of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. Pictures of the cleanup can be viewed on the Stewards Facebook page.
The Stewards are a non-profit conservation organization that supports the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. They provided support for the event including promotion, organization, volunteers, distribution of gloves, garbage bags and water. The Stewards meet monthly on the fourth Tuesday at 6PM at Ingersoll Wetlands Learning Center, 7071 Riverview Road, Thomson IL. They offer golf cart tours at Spring Lake, bus tours at Lost Mound Unit and are sponsoring a Kids Fishing Clinic this Saturday June 14 at Frog Pond in Savanna IL. Pre-registration is required. You can contact the Stewards via email (stewardsumrr@gmail.com) or call 815-273-2732 to sign up.
The City of Savanna provided two dumpsters and waived boat launch fees at Marquette Park for the event. Participants in the cleanup included members and coach of the West Carroll High School football team, Jo Daviess County Natural Area Guardians, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service volunteers, and members of the public. Manny’s Pizza donated pizzas to feed the large group of volunteers that participated.
Delta Waterfowl is a non-profit conservation organization whose mission is to secure the future of waterfowl and waterfowl hunting. They provided boats, volunteers and assistance to other boaters, in addition to funding the purchase of gloves, garbage bags and water.
This River Cleanup event was a partnership that removed a large amount of trash from Pool 13 of the Upper Mississippi River. We are grateful for the sponsors and volunteers that made this event a grand success.
