Volunteers are needed for the annual Big River Aquanauts Stream Team cleanup along the Big River, to be held Saturday, Aug. 27.
Those who want to help with the cleanup are asked to gather at 9 a.m. at Rockford Beach, 4320 Hwy. 30, in House Springs.
The cleanup normally lasts until 1 p.m. or 2 p.m., Byrnes Mill Mayor Robert Kiczenski said.
“It just depends on how much trash we pick up,” he said. “The section of the river we will be doing is from Rockford Beach to Byrnes Mill City Park.”
Kiczenski said volunteers need to sign up in advance so enough gear is available for volunteers. Each volunteer will receive a T-shirt and a pair of gloves.
About 25 volunteers took part in last year’s cleanup, Kiczenski said.
He said the cleanup is held every year because trash continues to make its way into the Big River.
“I’ve been running this for probably 15 years now, and we will pick up around 100 tires (each time),” he said. “Trash can range from bottles, cans, cups, you name it, all types of stuff that gets washed away in the river.”
Kiczenski said those 12 years and younger must have an adult with them to volunteer at the event.
He asks any volunteer with a kayak or canoe to bring it to the event.
Kiczenski said the cleanup could be rescheduled for Aug. 20 if bad weather or high river levels are predicted for Aug. 27.
He said that’s another reason it’s important for volunteers to sign up ahead of time so he can reach out to them if it’s rescheduled.
People interested in taking part in the cleanup may sign up online at volunteer.openspacestl.org/event/detail/?event_id=84894.