Pennsylvanians are invited to volunteer for “Pick Up Pennsylvania,” a statewide campaign of fall litter cleanups to benefit streams, rivers and lakes, now through Nov. 30. Volunteer groups who participate in the PennDOT Adopt-A-Highway program are also encouraged to participate.
“Our waterways foster pride of place for many Pennsylvanians and shouldn’t be trashed,” said Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “It’s important to make the connection between actions on the land and their impact on our waters. From community groups to co-workers, the volunteers who understand this connection and join in ‘Pick Up Pennsylvania’ each fall do a world of good for all Pennsylvanians and the ecosystem we depend on.”
“These volunteer cleanup efforts are so important,” said Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “Volunteers are the very heart of our Adopt-A-Highway program, saving millions of taxpayer dollars each year.”
“Pick Up Pennsylvania” is coordinated by Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and sponsored by DEP, PennDOT and the Ocean Conservancy International Coastal Zone Cleanup. This support supplies registered events with free trash bags and gloves. Residents around the state can use the Events Calendar to join registered cleanup events in their community. They can also register their own cleanup event here.
Individuals, families, neighbors, students, civic organizations and local governments are all invited to participate. Cleanups in any location are eligible, for example, on stream banks and shorelines, along roadsides, and in neighborhoods and parks.
“We are so grateful to the volunteers and sponsors who help make ‘Pick Up Pennsylvania’ a success,” said Shannon Reiter, president of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. “Whether you’re cleaning up a local waterway, your local park, or the street you live in, it all makes a difference in reducing the amount of litter reaching our oceans. Picking up litter is something that almost everybody can do. It’s a great feeling, and the results are immediate. Please lend a hand and join us in a cleanup this fall.”
Visit dep.pa.gov/litter and penndot.gov for additional information.
